Auction of British Empire and Foreign Countries Postage Stamps and Postal History

Antarctica: French Expedition 1908-10: 1908 Rare expedition label in blue inscribed "POLE SUD - EXPEDITION CHARCOT/POURQUOI PAS" affixed to picture postcard from Charcot's earlier 1903-05 expedition with two punched holes at left (as noted on a similar card addressed to the Beaulieu family), addressed to Punta Arenas with Christmas greeting from the South Shetlands inscribed "Ile Déception/24 Déc 1908" by Ernest Gourdon, geologist and glaciologist on both Charcot expeditions. The card carried to Punta Arenas on the whaling factory ship “Gobernador Bories” where apparently accepted as postage and tied by Punta Arenas Mar. 24 1909 double ring c.d.s. A fine item of the greatest rarity. Wharton FA-6. Photo.
[Proposed price: £3,000-4,000]