BYRD EXPEDITION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12253, 8 April 1935, Page 5

BYRD EXPEDITION

THOUSANDS OF STAMPS WORTHLESS. ’ WRONG MAILING DATE FROM SOUTH POLE. SEQUEL TO INK BEING FROZEN. CU.P.A. by, Elec. Tel. Cocyrjght) , (Received April 7, 5.5 p.xn.) WASHINGTON, April 6. Indications that at least the philatelic feature of Admiral Byrd’s expedition may be considered a failure were seen to-day in a protest to the Post Office Department from hundreds of stamp collector's who paid 50. cents each to the expedition for carrying- letters to the South Pole with the understanding that they would be stamped 30/1/1934, the ! day on which Admiral Byrd flew across the South Pole. In all 54,030 ’such letters wore 1 carried, but, due to the frozen ink, the young sailor to whom was assigned the task of cancelling the covers, could cancel only 0000 in six months, working eight hours daily. The Post Office Department then shipped a special automatic cancelling machine to Little America and a clerk succeeded in complbting the job, but, unfortunately, he made the date 31st instead of 30 and the stamp dealers now declare that the rovers are worthless.