Norway and Japan
p. 88 · Read in the full issue
Your World of Stamps.—XIII.
IGY Commemorated Norway and Japan
THE International Geophysical Year is exercising the attentions of scientific minds throughout the world, over 40 nations co operating to make observations of the earth and its atmosphere. In augurated in July, 1957, and to end in December, 1958, one of the most important surveys is being made in the Polar regions.
Norway has just issued stamps to honour the IGY, the designs pictur ing Jan Mayen Island, 1,000 miles from Iceland, a map of Spitzbergen, where national research work is be ing carried out, and a map of Antarctica, showing the Norwegian claim to Queen Maud Land.
Japan has also released a stamp showing the Japanese Polar ex pedition ship Soya, a penguin and the IGY emblem. * * * Most of the stamps issued by UN headquarters in America carry symbolic designs to commemorate some important UN event, agency or anniversary. On United Nations’
Day (October 24) next, the work of the Security Council is to be sym bolised, with 2 stamps, the design of which will feature a globe of the world, the UN emblem and the message: “Security Council to main tain International Peace and Security.” ♦ * * Three interesting charity stamps were issued in Luxembourg recently in connection with the Prince Jean- Princess Josephine Charlotte Found ation, the hospital built by public subscription in the Grand Duchy to celebrate the wedding of Prince Jean to Princess Josephine Charlotte, sister of King Baudouin, of Bel gium, in 1953. * * « A striking set of “Youth Sports” stamps on sale throughout Cuba a few months ago, pictured baseball and boxing scenes, two sports fol lowed with interest by young men and boys. A graceful ballerina and a woman diving, represented sports practised by girls and young women. * * * Australia is to bring out two special “Christmas” stamps during November this year. The designs, following the theme of the occasion, will show a young child at prayer and the familiar Christmas motif, the Star of Bethlehem. In past years other interesting Christmas stamps have come from Hungary, Austria, Canada, Luxembourg and Cuba.