Date of Issue : 8 Jan 2009
Postmark : Kingston TAS 7050
Denomination : 2 x 55c and 2 x AU$1.10
Stamp Size : 26 mm x 37.5 mm
Paper : Tullis Russell
Printing Process : Lithography
Jan 2009 marked the centenary of the first successful expedition to the South Magnetic Pole, and this stamp issue commemorates this milestone in polar science and exploration. The stamps in this issue features historical images from the expedition, which tell the narrative of the journey – uploading the Nimrod (55c), depositing provisions (55c), the Northern Party camp (AU$1.10) and explorers, i.e. Edgeworth David, Douglas Mawson and Alistair Mackay raising the Union Jack flag at Magnetic South Pole (AU$1.10). In combination with the typography, these stamps form a graphic element of the story. The bold white text represents the vast Antarctic landscape and its staged incline across the designs symbolises the increasing difficulty of a journey and the endurance required of the explorers.