South African National Antarctic Expedition
The postmark on this commemorative cover for the International Geophysical Year Expedition shows the location of Marion Island in the Indian Ocean 1700 kilometers south-east of South Africa. In 1947 and 1948 South Africa established its claim to Marion Island and the adjacent Prince Edward Island. A meteorological and biological research station was established with Allan Crawford being appointed Acting Postmaster. Mail services were provided by relief ships but it was not until 1958 that a local post office was established. This cover is postmarked 24 March 1958 which was the day on which the post office was opened.
Marion Island Station was depicted on one of the four stamps in Bibliography
© Grose Educational Media, 2009-2019 |