The size is standard 6 ¼" x 4 ½". Postally unused, marked with a special-issue "25 Years of the Antarctic Observatory Mirny" postal mark and cancelled with a specially made cancellation stamp dated 5 January 1981. The artwork on the left side of the obverse shows a nice graphic showing a later-model Soviet snowmobile, the buildings of the observatory under the flying Soviet flag, and a family of penguins in the foreground. The Papa-penguin seems to explain to his chick that these are peaceful Soviet polar explorers and scientists, nothing to be afraid of. The entire picture is ba

The size is standard 6 ¼" x 4 ½". Postally unused, marked with a special-issue "25 Years of the Antarctic Observatory Mirny" postal mark and cancelled with a specially made cancellation stamp dated 5 January 1981. The artwork on the left side of the obverse shows a nice graphic showing a later-model Soviet snowmobile, the buildings of the observatory under the flying Soviet flag, and a family of penguins in the foreground. The Papa-penguin seems to explain to his chick that these are peaceful Soviet polar explorers and scientists, nothing to be afraid of. The entire picture is bathing in ghostly aurora borealis light, and has a separate calligraphic inscription under it with "First Day" printed in Russian and French. The artist's name, Y. Levinovsky (Ю. Левиновский) is printed on the bottom of the verso. Published by the USSR Ministry of Communications, circulation unknown.

The flap on the verso has the printed notation "Cover of the First Day of the Ministry of Communications of the USSR" in Russian and in French, and features the emblem of ДИЭЗПО (DIEZPO), Russian abbreviation for the special organization responsible for development and issue of all postal signs, emblems, marks, and special stamps. Their products were printed by the factories of the Mint of the Ministry of Finances of the USSR in Moscow.

In excellent, outstanding condition. The paper is neither age-toned nor wrinkled, and shows just microscopic corner bumps.

Even if these covers had a high circulation and wide distribution across the country, which is somewhat doubtful, the special postal mark and cancellation stamp make this cover a truly rare and precious addition to a philatelist's collection.

Mirny is more than just an observatory. Built in 1956, it was the first Soviet Antarctic scientific station. The original building burned to the ground in 1960 during a fire which cost the lives of eight resident scientists. The modern buildings in Mirny were built in 1971-78.
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