| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | October 9, 1933 |
| Year | 1933 |
| Denomination |
3¢
|
| Denomination Value | $0.03 | Color | Navy blue |
| Issue Location | Philatelic Agency, Post Office Department |
| Size | 0.83 x 1.42 inches |
| Postal Administration | United States |
| Condition | Name | Avg Value |
|---|---|---|
|
M-H-F
|
Mint - Hinged - Fine | View price |
|
M-H-VG
|
Mint - Hinged - Very Good | View price |
|
U-F
|
Used - Fine | View price |
|
U-VG
|
Used - Very Good | View price |
These special sheets, each containing six Little America stamps, were authorized for printing on the postage-stamp press included in the display of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing at the National Stamp Exhibition of 1934 held at Rockefeller Center, New York, N.Y., February 10–18.
The special sheet is approximately 3.375 by 3.625 inches in dimension, ungummed and unperforated. The following printing appears in small type in blue ink on the four sides of the sheets: "Printed by the Treasury Department, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, under authority of James A. Farley, Postmaster General, New York, N.Y., February 10–18, 1934, in compliment to the National Stamp Exhibition of 1934."
The souvenir sheets of Little America stamps were first placed on sale February 10, 1934, at the branch Philatelic Agency operated in connection with the National Stamp Exhibition. In addition to these special sheets, the branch agency had available for sale stocks of the various commemorative stamps, from the William Penn issue to date.
To facilitate the dispatch of mail by visitors, a separate substation of the New York post office was established on the exhibition floor, for the use of which a special canceling stamp, reading as follows, was provided: "National Stamp Exhibition Sta., New York, N.Y." As the Little America stamp was issued primarily for use on mail dispatched on the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, the special sheets of this stamp, as described herein, were not issued to and sold through post offices.
For the benefit of stamp collectors who did not attend the National Stamp Exhibition, provision was made to place the souvenir sheets of Little America stamps on sale at the Philatelic Agency, Post Office Department, beginning February 19, 1934.
This stamp was issued for use on letters mailed through the Little America post office, established at the base camp of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, in the territory of the South Pole.
The stamp is of the same size and shape as special delivery stamps, 0.83 by 1.42 inches, arranged vertically. The stamp is surrounded by a narrow double-line border, and is printed in navy blue. Across the top of the stamp is the inscription "Byrd Antarctic Expedition II", arranged in two lines in solid Roman. In the central part of the stamp is a representation of the World. Routes of the several Byrd flights are depicted by dotted lines, with the dates thereof in solid Gothic. Proposed new flights to the Antarctic and to the South Pole are also indicated. The position of the base camp is marked by a solid dark circle, with the wording "Little America" in solid Gothic extending parallel with the meridian to the west of the base. Within a circle with white ground and double-line border, in each lower corner, is the large numeral "3" in solid color. At the bottom of the stamp is a narrow horizontal panel with white ground containing the word "Cents" in solid Gothic. In a ribbon panel directly above, with white ground, are the words "U. S. postage", also in solid Gothic lettering. A clouded effect, heavy below and lighter at the top, forms a background for the central globe.
Since the Department had no means of providing for the transportation of this philatelic mail to Little America, other than through the facilities of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, arrangements were made with the expedition to accept covers for mailing through the Little America post office, bearing appropriate postmark, at a service charge of 50 cents for each letter, exclusive of the postage rate of 3 cents, to cover which the special stamp was issued. The Little America stamp was first placed on sale October 9, 1933, at the Philatelic Agency, Post Office Department. The stamp was not distributed to post offices for sale to the public.