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International Polar Year 2007-2008......
On February 21, 2007, the USPS issued a Souvenir Sheet with two stamps commemorationg the International Polar Year. It was issued from Fairbanks, Alaska on the first day and, interestly enough, only available from the Fairbanks Post Office and the USPS Fulfillment Services in Kansas City. It was produced in extremely limited quantities, since the postal rates will be changing shortly. So, if you don't live in Fairbanks and didn't see it in your local post office, this is why. The top 84-cents stamp features the Aurora Borealis with a stunning photograph by Fred Hirschmann from Wasilla, Alaska, while the bottom 84-cents stamp depicts the Aurora Australis with an equally superb photograph by Per-Andre Hoffmann of Stuttgart, Germany. The accompanying text reads, " Continuing the tradition of International cooperation that began with the first IPY in 1882-1883, scientists from around the world will initiate a new era in polar research by participation in IPY 2007-2008. Working across may disciplines, they will conduct field observations, research, and analysis to build upon current knowledge and increase our understanding of the roles that both polar regions play in global processes." Surrounding the text is another beautiful photograph of the Aurora Borealis, this time by Colin Tyler Bogucki.
The eight participating countries are the United States, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Greenland. This is the fourth polar year reseach period to take place. The other two years were 1932-1933 and 1957-1958. You can visit the website WWW.ipy.org to see what some of over 200 projects will take place in this two year span.
Double matted in blue & white, this piece is sized to fit a standard 8 x 10 frame.
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