Whaling postal history
Some collectors might consider whaling to be an unethical topic for a postal history collection, but it's a part of our history just as much as the two world wars, writes Rolf Scharning as he provides an insight into this interesting and versatile theme
Finnmark, Norway
Svend Foyn (1809-1894) was a Norwegian whaler, shipping magnate and philanthropist. He introduced the modern harpoon cannon shows an entire addressed to Mr. S. Foyn, S/K af St. Olafs Orden (Grand Cross of St. Olav), Walsoe, Finnmark. His whaling station was situated at Walsoe near the town of Vadso in Finnmark, the northernmost county in Norway. The 10 ore posthorn stamp was cancelled at Notero, an island just outside Tonsberg on 11 August 1881. The single-ring canceller was damaged; the date had to be entered by hand. The Tonsberg transit cancel on the back, , is dated 13 August. Most of Foyn’s personal correspondence was burnt after his death, but some, like this one, survived.
