January 2009 marks the centenary of the first expedition to the South Magnetic Pole.

Issue Information
The design of the stamps reflects the vastness of the Antarctic landscape, and includes black and white photographs from the expedition.

Gummed Sheet Stamps
The perforated sheet stamps were issued in se-tenant pairs. Unlike past issues released in pairs, these stamps were only issued in horizontal pairs. As a result the sheets contain 20 horizontal pairs, and 10 individual stamps. The traffic lights in the gutter indicate only three colours were used to print these stamps, black, grey and pale blue.

 
Sheet stamps

Gummed Miniature Sheet (Regular Issue)
The four stamps were issued in a se-tenant horizontal strip within a miniature sheet.

Miniature sheet

South Magnetic Pole Folder Miniature Sheet Stamps
Imperforate versions of the four stamps exist from the imperforate miniature sheet issued in limited edition (500) South Magnetic Pole Folder issued as part of the 2009 Impressions catalogue. The only difference between the regular miniature sheet stamps and the stamps from the limited edition miniature sheet is the lack of perforations.

Imperforate stamps

South Magnetic Pole Pack Miniature Sheet
The imperforate miniature sheet in the South Magnetic Pole Pack issued as part of the 2009 Impressions catalogue. The white part of the sheet margin is covered in translucent, pearl foil which appears to be the same as that used on the 1996 45c Pearl stamp. Importantly, the stamps in the miniature sheet are not covered with the foil.

Imperforate miniature sheet

Limited edition folder (Image from 2009 Impressions catalogue)

Postal Stationery
Four maximum cards were released with this issue, each featuring the black and white photographs shown on the stamps.

Maximum cards (Image from Stamp Bulletin 296)

Issue Summary
The table below summarises the above information. The cost of each item is given, along with a total for each section. In some cases the stamps are only available from self-adhesive booklets (sold at face value), or from prestige booklets, souvenir sheets or folders (sold above face value).

Item and Description	Cost
For the General Collector
Gummed sheet stamps Two horizontal pairs (2 x 55c, 2 x $1.10) Miniature sheets Miniature sheet	$3.30   $3.30
Total	$6.60
For the Specialised Collector
Blocks, pairs and strips Horizontal strip of 4 from perforated miniature sheet Horizontal strip of 4 from imperforated miniature sheet Miniature sheets Imperforate miniature sheet Postal stationery Maximum cards	$3.30 $159.95   $159.95   $5.20
Total	$328.40
Grand Total	$335.00

References
Australia Post, Australian Stamp Bulletin, No. 296, January-February 2009
Australia Post, Impressions Catalogue, November 2009
Australia Post Stamps Website, accessed 18 December 2009
Gibbons Stamp Monthly, May 2009

If you have more information, or spot an error, please e-mail me.