2021-08-19 Guide to Polar Postal Memorabilia, 1931-2014 SPEC.PA.56.0029 Finding aid prepared by Karen Glenn; Audrey Wimbiscus; Sierra Sales Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2018 January; 2021 August; 2026 February This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2026-03-16T11:09-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Polar Postal Memorabilia SPEC.PA.56.0029 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.2 Cubic feet 1931-2014 Philately is the collecting of stamps and other postal related memorabilia, such as envelopes sent through the mail (known to collectors as covers), and postmarks from remote places. Some collectors focus on items that are related to certain themes, such as the polar regions. The Polar Postal Memorabilia, dated 1931-2014, consists of covers from polar regions and postage stamps that were created to commemorate 20th century polar region expeditions. (1) 2.5" letter document box English Arrangement of Materials

Materials are arranged chronologically. Materials from the same date are further arranged alphabetically by title.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.2003.0013: Richard Humke, 2003; Donated by Gil Gilbert, 2005 February; Accession No. PA.2015.0005: Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Bureau, 2014 December; Accession No. PA.2016.0004: Jean Lintner, 2015 August; Accession No. PA.2016.0015: Michael Cervenec, 2016 October

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Polar Postal Memorabilia, SPEC.PA.56.0029, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron research, but may be used only in the University Archives Reading Room. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Karen Glenn, 2018 January; Audrey Wimbiscus, 2021 August; Sierra Sales, 2026 February; Finding aid written by: Karen Glenn, 2018 January; Audrey Wimbiscus, 2021 August; Sierra Sales, 2026 February

 Historical Note

Philately is the collecting of stamps and other postal related memorabilia, such as envelopes sent through the mail (known to collectors as covers), and postmarks from remote places. Some collectors focus on items that are related to certain themes, such as the polar regions. Covers, stamps, postmarkings, and cachets have all been developed to reflect polar regions, and memorable explorations or scientific excursions into the polar regions.

 Scope and Contents

The Polar Postal Memorabilia, dated 1931-2014, consists of covers from polar regions and postage stamps that were created to commemorate 20th century polar region expeditions. This collection contains first day covers and stamp sets commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Byrd Expedition visit to the Pitcairn Island on December 13-14, 1939. This collection also contains a commemorative cancellation cover from November 2004 honoring the 75th Anniversary of Byrd's South Pole Flight. Other covers and stamps in this collection commemorate Operation Deep Freeze and the 1909 Arctic explorations.

 Covers (Philately)--Polar regions--20th century Covers (Philately)--Polar regions--21st century Envelopes Polar regions--Discovery and exploration--20th century Postage stamps Postage stamps--Pitcairn Islands--21st century Postage stamps--Polar regions--20th century Arctic Submarine Nautilus cover (envelope), from expedition member Ray E. Meyers to Mrs. Ray E. Meyers 1 1 1931 Stamp honoring 1909 Arctic explorations 1 2 1959 Operation Deepfreeze postal covers and Antarctic Treaty Commemorative covers (envelopes) 1 3 1961-1971 Envelope with Siple Station, Antarctica stamp 1 4 1979 75th Anniversary of Byrd's South Pole Flight comemmorative cover 1 5 2004 November 75th Anniversary of Byrd's visit to the Pitcairn Islands first day covers 1 6 2014 December 75th Anniversary of Byrd's visit to the Pitcairn Islands stamp sets 1 7 2014 December Pitcairn Islands Stamp Bulletin 142 "Byrd Expedition Visit 75th Anniversary brochure 1 8 2014 December