Scott anniversary medallion

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32797, 23 December 1971, Page 15

Scott anniversary medallion

A commemorative first-day cover containing a medallion to mark the sixtieth anniversary of Captain R. F. Scott’s epic journey to the South Pole in 1911-12 has been prepared in Britain for sale in the Commonwealth next year.

If all 5000 covers and medallions are sold, the proposed Antarctic Museum Centre in Christchurch will benefit by about SUS2SOO. The medallion was designed and sculptured by Peter Scott the son of Captain Scott. The commemorative cover will bear an appropriate legend and make note of the establishment of the Antarctic Museum Centre in Christchurch, said the director of the Canterbury Museum (Dr R. S. Duff). The 5000 covers are already in Christchurch to have

the new 18c Ross Dependency stamp affixed before being flown over the Amund-sen-Scott South Pole Station and taken to Scott Base to be date-stamped on January 18, the day the new Ross Dependency series is released for sale to the public and the day Captain Scott reached the South Pole in 1912.

From Christchurch, the covers will be air-freighted back to Britain and the medallions inserted in the envelopes.

Because of Post Office regulations, it was necessary for all the 5000 covers to be addressed, and a team of four holiday staff at the museum were kept busy during the week-end on the task. “Co-operative spirit”

Dr Duff said there had been excellent co-operative spirit between the Antarctic division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the United States Navy Antarctic Stmport Force and the Christchurch Postmaster in getting the covers stamped and flown between the Antarctic and New Zealand.

Originally it was proposed that the Franklin Mint of Philadelphia produce the commemorative Scott medallioas. The firm had felt that as interest might be greater in the Commonwealth its London associate, John Pinches, would be in a better position to do the work. The London medallists agreed to the Antarctic Museum Centre receiving royalties on the sales. Although the medal and the cover will be ordered through London, Dr Duff expects that arrangements will be made for their sale to interested New Zealanders.