With a special stamp issue, the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) is honoring a key chapter in international marine research. On 18 December 2025, the fifth and final set of a multi-part series was released, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the so-called Discovery Investigations, a research program that has had a lasting impact on modern oceanography.
The current issue looks back on a century of scientific work that began in the 1920s. The aim of the Discovery Investigations was to better understand the ecosystems of the Southern Ocean, particularly in connection with whaling, which at the time played a major economic role. The knowledge gained laid the foundation for a new understanding of marine systems and is still regarded today as a milestone in marine science.
The stamp series also coincides with another historic anniversary: 250 years ago, James Cook landed in Possession Bay and claimed South Georgia in the name of King George III. This event marked the beginning of a development that transformed the remote island group from a little-known outpost into an internationally recognized center for science and nature conservation.
Each issue in the anniversary series highlights a different aspect of this development. While earlier sets focused, for example, on the history of discovery or wildlife, the final issue places its emphasis on research and legacy. In doing so, the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands underscores its commitment to continuing to prioritize scientific excellence, sustainable management, and the protection of fragile ecosystems in the future.
The stamps are therefore far more than collectors’ items. They tell the story of a unique transformation, from discovery and exploitation to responsible research and international nature conservation.
The stamps can be purchased via www.falklandstamps.com or, for business customers, via www.iomstamps.com.
Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal