Inaccurately referred to as the northernmost point of Europe, the steep cliff of the Norwegian North Cape (Nordkapp) is located about 1,306 miles from the North Pole. It became a popular tourist destination during the last decades of the nineteenth century, especially after King Oscar II’s visit in 1873. Regular coastal steamer routes from Germany to Northern Norway facilitated these visits, and Thomas Cook & Son began arranging tours to the destination as early as 1875.
Around 1910, tourists could buy labels, featuring a view of the North Cape with a sailing ship nearby, to add to their postcards for 5 øre. In 1930, to promote its tourist industry, Norway issued a set of three semipostal stamps, featuring the Cape with a cruise ship, the SS Bergensfjord (1913–1959), built in England for the Norwegian American Line. The 25 øre surcharge on each stamp went to Landslaget for Reiselivet i Norge, an organization encouraging tourism in Norway. Smaller stamps were issued in 1938, 1943, 1953, and 1957. The latest stamp to feature the Cape, with a different view, was printed in 1974 as part of a tourism issue.
Norway