Pyramiden - last day

Cataloge nr : Nr.34

Issue nr. 34
Issued: 800 letters
Banknote: 5 Kopek from 1979
Stamp: NK 1393 (Norway)
Pyramiden is situated in Billefjord, for many people the most beutiful place on Svalbard. The settlement started here with a swedish expedition in 1910. Later, in 1931, the russian coal mining company Arktikogul took over the mines and in 1939 the area was rebuilt. After the WWII, in 1946, the operation started again until it was closed down again early 1960s.
10 years later it was again reopened and now approx. 1400 persons were living at Pyramiden. After disruption of Sovjet it was again closed down and around 800 persons had to leave the place. Now Pyramiden is like a ghost town. The Norwegian Post, who has the responisbility for all post distribution on Svalbard, has terminated its duty by issuing a lastday cancellation on the 20th of September 2002. The stamp used is a stamp showing a sperm whale as the cancellation. The note used is a 5 kopek from Arktikogul issued 1979.