Antarctica is most often described as having only two distinct seasons – summer and winter. This set of stamps highlighted the different states of light captured in winter, spring, summer and autumn in Antarctica, with heat-activated ink revealing the stunning sights of the southern skies.
Issue information
At Scott Base, located on Ross Island, there are two seasons most are familiar with: summer and winter. Although these are the two main seasons, the shorter autumn and spring seasons hold unending beauty. People who have spent a summer at Scott Base are often grateful to see the sun rise and set upon their return home, after months of 24-hour daylight. Those who spend an entire year at Scott Base are able to gain a deeper understanding of the seasonal shifts in the extremes of Antarctica. Seasons of Scott Base draws attention to the mesmerising array of celestial sights experienced during a year-round stay in Antarctica.
Beautiful in their own right, the images on these stamps were captured by Scott Base electrician Jonny Harrison. Thermochromic ink had been applied to these stamps giving them a majority black finish, with a transparent fingerprint giving a glimpse beneath the darkness. The viewer had to warm the stamp to reveal the magic of Antarctic seasons.
Presentation pack
You could collect the set with the presentation pack for this issue with an essay by photographer Jonny Harrison. Jonny first made it to the ice for the 2016/17 season as summer electrician at Scott Base. Building on his passion for photography, Jonny continued to sharpen his skills through the season. As Winter Leader in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Jonny discovered more opportunities to work in the harsh environment and experience all Scott Base has to offer. From taking photos in the depths of winter at temperatures as low as -70 degrees, through to the warmth of summer, Jonny has braved the elements to capture the Seasons of Scott Base.
Product Listing for 2020 Ross Dependency: Seasons of Scott Base
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 1.40 'Winter' gummed stamp. Aurora Australis, or southern lights, can be seen throughout the four-month winter night. While there is no direct sunlight, the moon and stars are bright and remind you that the sun is still out there. |
$1.40 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.70 'Spring' gummed stamp. In August the sun rises once more. As the sun has been away so long, this is the coldest month but brings with it the return of the amazing twilight colours. Sunrises turn the sky fiery orange and red with deep purples, while work begins to prepare for the upcoming summer season. |
$2.70 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $3.50 'Summer' gummed stamp. As a sunset brings each day to a close, this first sunset of the year signals the end of the summer season at Scott Base. |
$3.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $4.00 'Autumn' gummed stamp. The two-month transition from summer to winter finds the sun retreating to the north and leaving midday twilight with prolonged sunsets. These twilight hues reflect off the snow and ice to colour the white world in bright purples and pinks. |
$4.00 |
 |
Miniature Sheet | Mint, used or cancelled gummed miniature sheet. | $11.60 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with four gummed stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $12.10 |
 |
Miniature Sheet First Day Cover | First day cover with gummed miniature sheet affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $12.10 |
 |
Presentation Pack |
You could collect the set with the presentation pack for this issue with an essay by photographer Jonny Harrison. Jonny first made it to the ice for the 2016/17 season as summer electrician at Scott Base. Building on his passion for photography, Jonny continued to sharpen his skills through the season. As Winter Leader in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Jonny discovered more opportunities to work in the harsh environment and experience all Scott Base has to offer. From taking photos in the depths of winter at temperatures as low as -70 degrees, through to the warmth of summer, Jonny has braved the elements to capture the Seasons of Scott Base. This presentation pack included the first day cover, miniature sheet and set of four gummed stamps. |
$29.90 |
 |
Limited Edition | You could learn more about the seasonal shifts of Antarctica with this limited edition. It included an informative booklet written by Jonny Harrison as well as all four stamps, a colour separation of the $4.00 stamp, a gold-foiled miniature sheet, and a special first day cover. | $135.00 |
 |
Medallion |
The spectacular sight of Aurora Australis, the southern lights, could be seen throughout the four-month winter night in Antarctica, and was celebrated here with a first-time 0.999 silver medallion. The reverse of this medallion featured a stunning image captured by Scott Base electrician Jonny Harrison. The tractor in the foreground was captured in 3D relief, with the sky above semi-frosted and colour-printed. The metal shined through the ink to evoke the shimmering effects of the lights in the night sky. The obverse featured the elegant logo of Antarctica New Zealand, with the outer ring mirrored, and with raised, semi-frosted text. |
$109.00 |
Technical information
Stamps
| Date of issue: | 7 October 2020 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | $1.40, $2.70, $3.50, $4.00 |
| Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by: | Cam Price, New Zealand Post Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer and process: | Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours plus black thermographic ink |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (horizontal) |
| Miniature sheet size and format: | 150mm x 90mm (horizontal) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 25 |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.33 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 6 October 2021. First day covers remained on sale until 2 December 2020. |
Medallion
| Finish: | Proof with colour |
|---|---|
| Composition: | 0.999 silver |
| Weight: | 1oz |
| Diameter: | 40mm |
| Obverse design: | Antartica New Zealand Logo |
| Reserve design: | Night sky at Scott Base |
| Shape: | Round |
| Designed by: | Cam Price, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Worldwide mintage limit: | 500 |
| Mint: | Sunshine Mint International Ltd |
