The United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust recently sent me a note asking if I would purchase a postcard to help them raise funds to do infrastructure repairs at Port Lockroy – the site of the Penguin Post Office. This got me thinking.
My three boys are fascinated with science – one talks about physics, the other about physiology, and another about animals and astronomy. The polar regions are fascinating and are places of much climatologic, geologic, and biologic research. What is learned there may lead the way in our understanding of how we might tamp down the climate crisis in which we now find ourselves.
And, since my children love mail, I decided to pique their interest in matters devoted to scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean by sending covers to research stations all over the region. At last count, there were 99 permanent and summer stations and camps operated by 32 countries in the area on the continent. Of those, 52 are permanent, operated by 21 countries.
My previous philatelic projects have proven fun for them, although the eldest said all seem like homework… so… here’s to more homework!
Stations & Covers
Below is a list of the stations and vessels I have or am sending letters with covers in the order sent (more or less). For images of covers we’ve received back and my kid’s commentary, click the country name.
Note: ◙ denotes I am awaiting postage stamps to reach me.
