Falkland Islands Dependencies Trans-Antarctic Expedition

FALKLAND ISLANDS DEPENDENCIES issued on 3 January 1958 a set of four of four stamps commemorating the Trans-Antarctic Expedition or TAE (1955–1958) in conjunction with the "International Geophysical Year Expedition".

The cover featured Falkland Islands Dependencies stamps overprinted for the expedition, depicting historic polar exploration ships:

1d: Trepassey (1945–47)

2½d: Penola (1934–37)

3d: Discovery II (1929–31)

6d: Discovery (1925–27)

The stamps were cancelled with two circular "International Geophysical Year Expedition" marks dated 3 JAN 1958. This is a significant date, as it was during the height of the expedition. It also marks the historic date New Zealand, led by (Sir) Edmund Hillary, reached the South Pole.

A large circular cachet at the bottom reads "Royal Society Base ★ Halley Bay ★", indicating the mail originated from the research station established for the International Geophysical Year.

 It was hand-addressed to the Royal Society at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London—the prestigious scientific institution that sponsored the Halley Bay base.

THE TRANS ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION (TAE) aimed to complete the first crossing of Antarctica and carry out science work. It was also known as the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. This expedition aimed to finish the first overland crossing of the Antarctic Continent. This crossing was a freezing 3,473 km journey from the Weddell Sea, via the South Pole, to McMurdo Sound. 

It was timed to take place at the same time as the International Geophysical Year (IGY), which was a science programme where scientists from many countries worked together on science projects between 1957 and 1958.

Edmund Hillary was asked to join this British expedition. Hillary’s job was to set up a series of food and fuel stashes from the Ross Sea to the South Pole, to help the expedition’s crossing from the other side.

The TAE was made up of two teams:

- The Crossing Party, led by British explorer, Dr Vivian Fuchs;

- The Ross Sea Party, led by New Zealand explorer, Edmund Hillary.

The Ross Sea Party was to support the Crossing Party’s expedition by: building a base on Ross Island; placing food and fuel along the route; and finding a vehicle route from the Polar Plateau through the western mountains and back to Ross Island.

Hillary was not supposed to travel as far as the South Pole, but when he had finished placing fuel and food he saw the chance to beat the British and he and four of his team carried on, reaching the Pole 16 days before the Crossing Party.