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the ‘taurus’ collection

ITEM 1. COOK, James. A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World.

Performed in his Majesty’s Ships the Resolution and Adventure, in the Years 1771, 1773, 1774, and 1775. Written by James Cook, Commander of the Resolution. In which is included, Captain Furneaux’s narrative of his proceedings in the Adventure during the separation of the ships. In two volumes. Illustrated with maps and charts, and a variety of portraits of persons and views of places, drawn during the voyage by Mr. Hodges, and engraved by the most eminent masters.

W. Strahan and T. Cadell, London 1777.

First edition. Most areas of British scientific voyaging begin with Cook, the Antarctic being no exception. He was specifically instructed on his second voyage to ascertain whether a great Terra Australis really existed below the Antarctic Circle. True to his instructions, he circumnavigated Antarctica at high latitudes and captained the first ship on record to cross the Antarctic Circle. Though discovering the South Sandwich Islands and South Georgia, he did not gain sight of a Southern Continent, and concluded that if it did exist, it could be of no use to mankind. With regard to this impressive publication of his voyage, two problems generally arise: the plates often offprint onto the text when bound together, and they are often cropped at the bottom, removing the imprints. Neither defect exists in this tall, clean copy.

Conrad p10; Spence 314.

ITEM 2. BELLINGSHAUSEN, Fabian G. von. Two Research Voyages in the Antarctic Ocean and a Round-the-World Cruise

during 1819, 1820 and 1821, on the Sloops “Vostock” and “Mirny”.

St Petersburg 1831.

First edition. Volume II of Bellingshausen’s text in the original Russian (the volume relating Bellingshausen’s furthest south discoveries). The complete original work comprised two 4to volumes of text and a folio atlas, though its extreme rarity remains a mystery. Six hundred copies of the work are said to have been printed, but they have always been elusive for collectors. Regardless, Bellingshausen and his 118 companions belong in the front rank of early Antarctic explorers: they circumnavigated the Antarctic circle (the first since Cook to have done so), confirmed the existence of the South Shetland islands, discovered several new islands at high southern latitudes, and may well have been the first to sight the Antarctic continent itself.

Spence 116.

ITEM 3. BELLINGSHAUSEN, Fabian G. von. The Voyage of Captain Bellingshausen to the Antarctic seas, 1819-1821.

Translated from the Russian. Edited by Frank Debenham, O.B.E., M.A. Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge.

Printed for the Hakluyt Society, London 1945.

The first English translation of Bellingshausen’s original Russian narrative, complete with notes from one of Britain’s most experienced Antarctic geographers.

Conrad p21; Spence 117.

ITEM 4. WEDDELL, James. A Voyage Towards the South Pole, Performed in the Years 1822-24.

Containing an Examination of the Antarctic Sea to the Seventy-fourth Degree of Latitude: and a Visit to Tierra del Fuego, with a particular account of the inhabitants. To which is added, much useful information on the coasting navigation of Cape Horn, and the adjacent lands, with charts of harbours, &c. By James Weddell, Esq. Master in the Royal Navy..

Longmans, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, London 1825.

First edition. With the immense benefit of benign weather, Weddell managed to sail further south than any man before him, and was rewarded by his discovery of the entire Weddell Sea. Even when sail ships were replaced by steam ships, and wooden hulls by metallic ice-cutters, his explorations were difficult to duplicate. It will be argued by many enthusiasts that this first edition is the true starting point for an Antarctic collection.

Conrad p31; Spence 1246.

ITEM 5. WEDDELL, James. A Voyage Towards the South Pole, Performed in the Years 1822-24.

Containing an Examination of the Antarctic Sea, to the Seventy-fourth Degree of Latitude: and a Visit to Tierra del Fuego, with a particular account of the inhabitants. To which is added, much useful information on the coasting navigation of Cape Horn, and the adjacent lands. With charts of harbours, &c. By James Weddell, F.R.S.E. Second edition, with observations on the probability of reaching the South Pole, and an account of a second voyage performed by the Beaufoy, Captain Brisbane, to the same seas.

Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, London 1827.

Equally important is this second edition, incorporating Weddell’s essay on the South Pole and the results of a second voyage in Antarctic waters, this time conducted by Captain Matthew Brisbane in the South Shetland Islands.

Conrad p31; Spence 1248.

ITEM 6. WILKES, Charles. Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition.

During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842. By Charles Wilkes, U.S.N. Commander of the expedition, member of the American Philosophical Society, Etc. In five volumes, and an atlas.

Edition limited to 1000 copies.

Lea and Blanchard, Philadelphia 1845.

Third issue. During the first official American expedition to attempt a scientific examination of Antarctic waters, one of Wilkes’ ships penetrated far enough to discover the Shackleton Ice Shelf, to survey some 1,600 miles of Antarctic coastline, and to confirm that Antarctica was indeed a continent. Given this auspicious start, it is puzzling that the United States would wait almost 100 years before mounting a second Antarctic exploring expedition. The copy of Wilkes’ narrative described above is the most impressive of the “unofficial” versions, bound in a variant cloth colour not recorded by Haskell. Its remarkable state of preservation is one of the most unexpected features of the collection.

Conrad p54; Spence 1262.

ITEM 7. PALMER, James. Thulia: a Tale of the Antarctic.

Samuel Colman, New York 1843.

First edition. Palmer was a member of the Wilkes expedition during its furthest south penetration, and wrote a diary of his time in Antarctic waters. Unhappily, he lost it overboard during a fierce storm, and had to reconstruct his experiences for this rarely seen publication, replete with poetry and musical ditties for the Antarctic. The book also boasts twelve illustrations by A. T. Agate, an artist aboard the expedition.

Conrad p53; Spence 890.

ITEM 8. ROSS, James. [Parliamentary Paper.] Ships Erebus and Terror.

Return to an address of the Honourable The House of Commons dated 26 August 1841; – for, Copies of such extracts from the despatch of Captain James Ross, from Van Diemen’s Land, as will show the nature and extent of the brilliant discoveries which are said to have been made in a high southern latitude by Her Majesty’s Ships Erebus and Terror.

Admiralty, London 6 September, 1841.

A full margined copy of the first report to announce the astonishing discovery of an Antarctic continent, with the first map to show its newly ascertained features.

Conrad p61; Spence 992.

ITEM 9. ROSS, James. A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions,

during the Years 1839-43. By Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R.N. Knt., D.C.L. Oxon., F.R.S., etc. With plates, maps and woodcuts.

John Murray, London 1847.

First edition. This copy is from the Middle Hill library of the 19th Century’s greatest book collector, Sir Thomas Phillipps, with his pressmarks. Phillipps took a deep personal interest in Polar matters, so he would have understood the significance of Ross’ voyage – the first to enter what is known today as the Ross Sea, the first to sight the Admiralty Mountains, the first to see Victoria Land, Ross Island, Mounts Erebus and Terror, and the Ross Ice Shelf, amongst other momentous discoveries. Once this account became public, no one could doubt there was a great southern continent of immense proportions to be explored.

Conrad p61; Spence 993.

ITEM 10. MACORMICK, Robert. Voyages of Discovery in the Arctic and Antarctic Seas,

and Round the World: Being Personal Narratives of Attempts to Reach the North and South Poles; and of an Open-Boat Expedition up the Wellington Channel in Search of Sir John Franklin and her Majesty’s Ships “Erebus” and “Terror”, in her Majesty’s Boat “Forlorn Hope”, under the Command of the Author. To which are added an autobiography, appendix, portraits, maps and numerous illustrations. By Deputy Inspector-General R. M’Cormick, R.N., F.R.C.S. Chief Medical Officer, Naturalist, and Geologist to the Expeditions. In two volumes.

Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, London 1884.

First edition. Despite (or rather, because of) the importance of the publication, it seldom survives in the condition of this copy, which is a remarkably fresh and fine example; the heavy binding and large folding panoramas usually lead to cracked spines and broken hinges. Be that as it may, Macormick’s work is a first hand account of the Ross expedition (1839-1843) by the surgeon aboard the Erebus. With large lithographed panoramas of the great ice barrier in the Ross Sea and the coastline of Victoria Land he conveys the sense of awed wonder experienced by all aboard Ross’ ships when the true enormity of the Antarctic continent revealed itself for the first time. Macormick published the work at his own expense in an edition of 750 copies, and though variant decorations appear on the cloth bindings (one version, as here, with gilt stars on the front covers, the other without them), no order of precedence has been established.

Conrad p61; Spence 747.

ITEM 11. RICHARDSON, John; John Edward GRAY, Editors. The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus & Terror,

under the Command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross, R.N., F.R.S., during the Years 1839 to 1843. By authority of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Edited by John Richardson, M.D., F.R.S., &c. and John Edward Gray, Esq., Ph.D., F.R.S., &c. Birds. By George Robert Gray, F.R.S., &c., and R. Bowdler Sharpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c., of the Zoological Department, British Museum.

E.W. Janson, London 1846-1875.

Revised edition, separately issued in 1875. Captain James Clark Ross’ momentous circumnavigation of Antarctica, with its discovery of the Ross Sea and the Great Ice Barrier, achieved stunning advances for the natural sciences. Its crowning scientific achievement was the publication of a series of natural history descriptions over many years, but some of the unique depictions of Antarctic seals and penguins seen here were only published in this revised section, with 8 plates appearing for the first time, drawn and lithographed by the famous Joseph Wolf. Relatively few copies of this expanded version were fully coloured by hand.

cf Spence 971.

ITEM 12. MURDOCH, William. From Edinburgh to the Antarctic.

An Artist’s Notes and Sketches during the Dundee Antarctic Expedition of 1892-93 by W.G. Murdoch with a chapter by W.S. Bruce naturalist of the Barque ‘Balæna’.

Longmans, Green and Co., London 1894.

First edition. This was an important whaling expedition to the Weddell Sea, the first of its kind since 1843. In many respects, the narrative helped to revive British interest in the Antarctic.

Conrad p74; Spence 825.

ITEM 13. PETERSON, Johannes. Die Reisen des “Jason” und der “Hertha” in das Antarktische Meer 1893/94

und die wissenschaftlichen Ergebnisse dieser Reisen von Dr. Johannes Petersen nebst einer Originalkarte des Dirck Gherritz-Archipels mit Begleitworten von L. Friederichsen. Separatabdruck aus den Mittheilungen der Geographischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg 1891-92, Heft II.

  1. Friederichsen & Co., Hamburg 1895.

First edition. Two of the most important of the early whalers in the Antarctic, making discoveries that helped to set off the “heroic age” of exploration in the South, including the first skiing foray on the Continent, the discovery of the now famous Larsen ice shelf, and the furthest southern latitude in the Weddell Sea since Weddell himself. This is a truly rare publication, with a map discussed in detail by Hobbs in his own work, ‘The Discoveries of Antarctica within the American Sector…’ (Philadelphia, 1939).

Conrad p79.

ITEM 14. BULL, Henrik The Cruise of the “Antarctic” to the South Polar Regions.

By H.J. Bull. With frontispiece by W.L. Wyllie, A.R.A., and illustrations by W.G. Burn Murdoch.

Edward Arnold, London 1896.

First edition. A presentation inscription from Bull on the title is dated 1899. This is an attractive piece of book production, describing a sealing and whaling voyage into the Ross Sea led by a Norwegian who had immigrated to Australia. Somewhat surprisingly, it produced a little scientific information as well: Carsten Borchgrevink, deckhand and amateur scientist, brought back the first vegetation from below the Antarctic Circle. Later he claimed his landing at Cape Adare in 1895 was the first by man on the Antarctic continent.

Conrad p81; Spence 210.

ITEM 15. DE GERLACHE, Adrien. Le premier hivernage dans les glaces antarctiques.

Relation anecdotique sommaire du voyage de la Belgica. Par le Commandant de Gerlache. Récit extrait de: Quinze mois dans l’Antarctique. Ouvrage couronné par l’Académie Française.

Imprimerie Scientifique Charles Bulens, Brussels 1902.

First edition. A rarely seen first publication from the Belgian expedition led by de Gerlache during 1897-1899, extracted from his official narrative and rushed into print to inform an eager national public of his adventures. His truly international crew (nineteen men from five different nations) did not dampen the spirit of chauvinism with which he was met.

ITEM 16. DE GERLACHE, Adrien. Voyage de la “Belgica”. Quinze mois dans l’Antarctique par le Commandant de Gerlache.

Préface par Élisée Reclus. Ouvrage contenant cent six illustrations et une carte hors texte.

Hachette et Cie., Paris 1902.

First edition. Though published in Paris for sale in Belgium, this printing of de Gerlache’s official narrative apparently was the first to be publicly available. Since his expedition was uniquely equipped for scientific exploration of the Continent (the Belgica boasted a scientific laboratory measuring 15 x 12 feet in a special deck house), there would be a wealth of scientific publication to follow. In this narrative, de Gerlache was content to relate the many “firsts” achieved under his command – factors taken for granted in the subsequent expeditions of the “heroic age”.

Conrad p86; Spence 502.

ITEM 17. DE GERLACHE, Adrien. Voyage de La Belgica. Quinze mois dans l’Antarctique par le Commandant de Gerlache.

Préface par Élisée Reclus. Ouvrage contenant cent six illustrations couronné par l’Académie Française. Édition de Luxe.

Imprimerie Scientifique Ch. Bulens, Brussels 1902.

Edition de Luxe. This is the rare Belgian Edition de Luxe, printed on special paper with different maps and text setting – a much finer production than the Hachette printing, and possibly the first to appear. Undoubtedly, it is the most luxurious way to read of the Belgica’s exploits: the first expedition to spend a winter so far south (drifting for a year frozen into the Bellingshausen Sea), an early use of skis in Antarctica (by Amundsen, no less), the first use of photography, the first recorded cases of insanity in the Antarctic. By the end, de Gerlache had added the discovery of Gerlache Strait, the Danco Coast and many islands off the Antarctic Peninsula to the world’s geographical knowledge.

Spence 503.

ITEM 18. LECOINTE, Georges. Expédition Antarctique Belge.

Au Pays des Manchots. Récit du voyage de la “Belgica” par Georges Lecointe Directeur scientifique à l’Observatoire Royal de Belgique, Commandant en second de l’Expédition.

Oscar Schepens & Cie., Éditeurs, Brussels 1904.

First edition. With its original printed paper wrappers intact and undisturbed by any later binding, this is a superb survival. Although not accompanied by the chauvinistic fanfare accorded to de Gerlache’s publications about the Belgica expedition, Lecointe’s book is rather well produced by comparison, and sheds a somewhat different light upon the voyage by the ship’s captain and the expedition’s second in command.

Conrad p86; Spence 698.

ITEM 19. COOK, Frederick A. Through the First Antarctic Night, 1898-1899.

A Narrative of the Voyage of the “Belgica” among Newly Discovered Lands and over an Unknown Sea about the South Pole by Frederick A. Cook, M.D. Surgeon and Anthropologist of the Belgian Antarctic Expedition. With an appendix containing a summary of the scientific results. Illustrated.

Doubleday & McClure Co., New York 1900.

First edition (limited edition). The special limited printing is probably the first issue of this title, signed by Cook as required, and with a photogravure portrait of the author not included in the trade version. Because of its delicate moiré silk binding, however, it has become notorious for its poor appearance, which is why this particular copy stands out: here the silk is intact and unrepaired, the gilt still bright on the spine and the variegated decoration on the front cover quite fresh. Also notorious, of course, is its author, infamous today for his false claims concerning the discovery of the North Pole. Yet he did cut his Polar teeth in the Antarctic as the medical officer aboard de Gerlache’s Belgica expedition in 1897-99, and was amongst the party forced to winter there for the first time, frozen into Antarctic waters.

cf Conrad p85; cf Spence 312.

ITEM 20. EXPÉDITION ANTARCTIQUE BELGE. Résultats du voyage du S.Y. Belgica en 1897-1898-1899.

sous le commandement de A. de Gerlache de Gomery. Rapports Scientifiques publiés aux frais du gouvernement Belge, sous la direction de la Commission de la Belgica.

Comprising: 34 fascicules, 4to (332 x 276 mm).

All fascicules in original printed paper wrappers lettered in black, pages unopened.

Imprimerie J.-E. Buschmann, Anvers 1901-1940.

Spence records a bound set, but the work was issued in fascicules with printed paper wrappers over a considerable period of time. The collection holds 34 separate fascicules out of a much larger published total. Though never translated into English they represent a remarkable advance in Antarctic science: “The scientific results were considerable in spite of the inadequate resources and haphazard organization. For the first time a considerable meteorological record extending over the winter south of the Antarctic Circle was obtained … Arctowski produced the first coherent account of the physical geography and petrology of the Peninsula in spite of difficulties.” [G.E. Fogg: ‘A History of Antarctic Science’, p. 112]

cf Spence 445.

ITEM 21. ARCTOWSKI, Henryk. Géographie physique de la Région Antarctique.

visitée par l’Expédition de la Belgica. Conférence donnée à la Société Royale Belge de Géographie, le 6 décembre 1899 par Henryk Artowski.

Vanderauwera et Cie., Brussels 1900.

First edition. Arctowski was the first professional geologist to land on the Antarctic continent (with the Belgica), and this is the first scientific account of the region’s geological features, never translated into English.

ITEM 22. ARCTOWSKI, Henryk. Collection of Pamphlets.

Comprising:

  1. Observations sur l’intérêt que présente l’exploration géologique des Terres Australes: pp. [4], 1 map in
  2. The bathymetric conditions of the Antarctic regions: pp. 7, [1], 2 maps (1 full-page, 1 in text), 1 photographic illustration and 1 sketch diagram in text, original printed blue paper wrappers bound
  3. Géographie physique de la Région Antarctique visitée par l’Expédition de la Belgica: pp. 87, [5], 4 maps (1 full- page, 3 in text), 2 folding charts, 2 full-page plates of wind-direction diagrams, 17 photographic illustrations (2 full- page, 6 on 3 plates, 9 in text), 2 sketch diagrams in text, original printed green paper wrappers bound
  4. The problem of Antarctic Exploration: pp. [2].
  5. Note sur les phénomènes crépusculaires observés de la “Belgica”: pp. 12, 2 text figures.
  6. Les Sédiments Marins de l’Expédition de la “Belgica”: pp. [4].
  7. Note complémentaire au sujet de la discussion de la question de l’abrasion glacaire: pp. [4].
  8. Exploration of Antarctic Lands: pp. 32, 2 maps, 6 photographic illustrations, 6 sketch diagrams and figures all in text, original printed blue paper wrappers bound
  9. Notice sur les déformations apparentes des Astres à l’horizon observées a bord de la “Belgica”: pp. 15, [1], 2 full- page plates of diagrams, 5 sketch diagrams in text, original printed blue paper wrappers bound
  10. Le Problème de l’Auto Polaire: pp. 5, [1].

Various publishers. 1895-1908.

A collection of ten pamphlets and offprints by Arctowski, the pioneering geologist on the Belgica expedition.

Spence 54 (second item) & 55 (eighth item).

ITEM 23. BORCHGREVINK, Carsten. Nærmest sydpolen aaret 1900.

Med 6 kort og 266 illustrationer efter fotografier tegninger og malerier af C.E. Borchgrevink, E. Ditlevsen, Otto Sinding og Hilyard Swinstead.

Gyldendalske Boghandel Nordisk Forlag, Copenhagen 1905.

First Norwegian edition. Being Norwegian, Borchgrevink wrote his original account in Norwegian, though he had it translated and first published in English. The account itself, like Amundsen’s seven years later, was originally issued in serial form and bound up after the last part was printed. Though various types of contemporary cloth binding are found on the book, this appears to be the only one bearing the publisher’s name and device. Its importance today lies largely in the additional scientific material and coloured plates not found in the English edition.

Spence 153.

ITEM 24. BORCHGREVINK, Carsten. First on the Antarctic Continent,

Being an Account of the British Antarctic Expedition, 1898-1900. By C.E. Borchgrevink, F.R.G.S. Commander of the expedition. With portraits, maps, and 186 illustrations.

George Newnes Limited, London 1901.

First edition. Presentation inscription from Borchgrevink: “with greetings from the South Pole”. Sir George Newnes not only published the book, he financed the expedition in the Southern Cross. Before it was over, Borchgrevink laid claim to a number of “firsts”: the first time dogs were used on the Antarctic continent, a furthest south record, the first sledge journey on the Ross Ice Shelf. Perhaps today he would be best remembered as having discovered the northward movement of the Ross Ice Shelf and the emperor penguin rookery at Cape Crozier.

Conrad p91; Spence 152.

ITEM 25. BERNACCHI, Louis. To the South Polar Regions;

Expedition of 1898-1900 by Louis Bernacchi, F.R.G.S. Illustrated from photographs taken by the author.

Hurst & Blackett, Limited, London 1901.

First edition. The original cloth binding of this first issue is quite friable, with the result that few copies survive in truly fine condition. Apparently the fault was soon noticed, as a second issue was produced that year bound in a more durable red cloth. Both relate Bernacchi’s account of the first deliberate wintering in Antarctica on the Southern Cross expedition of 1898-1900.

Conrad p90; Spence 123.

ITEM 26. SOUTHERN CROSS EXPEDITION.

Report on the Collections of Natural History Made in the Antarctic Regions during the Voyage of the “Southern Cross”.

By order of the Trustees, British Museum, London 1902.

First edition. Here is a little known but important collection of natural history results from the first expedition to winter deliberately in the Antarctic, and the first to discover the Emperor penguin rookery at Cape Crozier. It includes natural history plates after drawings by Edward Wilson and the private diary of the Southern Cross’ zoologist.

ITEM 27. SOUTHERN CROSS.

Magnetic and Meteorological Observations Made by the “Southern Cross” Antarctic Expedition, 1898-1900. Under the direction of C.E. Borchgrevink, Kt. St. Olaf, Hon. Mem. & Medallist Roy. Scottish Geograph. Soc., &c., Commander of the Expedition.

The Royal Society of London 1903.

This innocuous title houses important scientific information from a pioneering expedition, used today to assist in determining the extent of climate change in the Antarctic.

ITEM 28. DRYGALSKI, Erich von Zum Kontinent des eisigen Südens

von Erich von Drygalski. Deutsche Südpolarexpedition. Fahrten und Forschungen der “Gauss” 1901-1903. Mit 400 Abbildungen im Text und 21 Tafeln und Karten.

Druck und Verlag von Georg Reimer, Berlin 1904.

First edition. The light grey cloth of this official narrative often discolours, obscuring one of the most artistic decorations in the history of books on the Antarctic. Just as this German expedition discovered the coastline of Wilhelm II Land, their ship became trapped in the ice. The result was more than a year of being frozen in, making it difficult to explore the adjacent land. They were undaunted though, and Drygalski and his fellow scientists amassed an enormous amount of scientific data, which was worked up and published by an international array of scientists in 85 thick 4to fascicules over a twenty-six year period. By the time this massive work was completed, Drygalski’s expedition had become known as “the University of the Antarctic”. And though contemporaneous with Scott’s Discovery journey (indeed, they had to some extent been planned in tandem), this account was not translated into English for 85 years.

cf Conrad p96 (for English edition); Spence 384.

ITEM 29. DRYGALSKI, Erich von. A volume containing 3 works.

Comprising:

  • Die Deutsche Südpolar-Expedition auf dem Schiff “Gauss” unter Leitung von Erich von Drygalski. Bericht über die wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten seit der Abfahrt von Kerguelen bis zur Rückkehr nach Kapstadt – Januar 1902 bis 9. Juni 1903 – und die Tätigkeit auf der Kerguelen-Station vom 1. April 1902 bis 1. April 1903 mit Beiträgen von Bidlingmaier, v. Drygalski, Gazert, Luyken, Ott, Philippi, Ruser, Stehr, Vahsel, Vanhöffen
  1. [i-iii], iv, 182, title vignette, 3 folding charts (2 colour), 4 sketch diagrams and 3 graphs in the text, 7 chapter head- and tail-decorations.
  • Bericht über die wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten auf der Fahrt von Kapstadt bis zu den Kerguelen – 27. November 1901 bis Januar 1902 – mit Beiträgen von Bidlingmaier, v. Drygalski, Gazert, Ott, Philippi, Ruser, Vanhöffen, Werth
  1. [i-iii], iv, 74, 6, photographic frontispiece, title vignette, 2 colour folding charts, 4 photographic illustrations on 2 plates, 1 sketch diagram in the text, 10 chapter head- and tail-decorations.
  • Bericht über die wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten auf der Fahrt von Kiel bis Kapstadt August bis 27. November 1901 und die Errichtung der Kerguelen-Station mit Beiträgen von Bidlingmaier, v. Drygalski, Enzensperger, Gazert, Philippi, Ruser, Stehr, Vanhöffen, Werth.
  1. [iii], [1], 108, title vignette, 2 folding colour maps, 2 folding charts (1 colour), 1 full-page map, 3 full-page photographic plates, 7 chapter head- and tail-decorations.

Ernst Siegfried Mittler und Sohn, Berlin 1902-3.

Original issues. This predates the monumental issue of scientific results in 4to format, published from 1905-1931 (Spence 385). Nevertheless, for any other early Antarctic expedition, this volume alone would be a worthy addition to the scientific literature from the area.

ITEM 30. DRYGALSKI, Erich von. A bound volume of 12 pamphlets and offprints.

Comprising:

  • Die Eisbewegung nach Beobachtungen an Grönlands Inlandeis: pp. [6].
  • Abdruck a. d. Zeitschr. d. Deutsch geolog. Gesellschaft, Jahrg. 1898: pp. [4].
  • The German Antarctic Expedition. (From ‘The Geographical Journal’ for August, 1904): pp. 24, 1 folding map, 4 full-page photographic plates, 7 photographic illustrations in the text, original printed blue paper wrappers bound
  • Deutsche Südpolar-Expedition 1901-1903. Vorläufige wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse berichtet auf dem Deutschen Geographentag zu Danzig am 13. Juni 1905: pp. [2], 64, 1 folding map, 1 folding chart, 2 graphs on 1 plate, original printed buff paper wrappers bound in.
  • Das Eis der Polargebiete: pp. [8], original printed brown paper wrappers bound
  • Bibliothèque Universelle. Archives des sciences physiques et naturelles. Cent quinzième année, quatrième période, tome XXX. La glaciation des mers, les conditions de son développement et les faits observés: pp. 29, [1], original printed blue paper wrappers bound
  • Bericht über Verlauf und Ergebnisse der Deutschen Südpolar-Expedition: pp. 29, [1], 2 maps (1 folding, 1 in text), 8 photographic illustrations on 7 plates (6 full-page), original printed buff paper wrappers bound
  • Sonder-Abdruck aus “Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde”. Band I, 1906: pp. [4], 1 photographic
  • Sonder-Abdruck aus der Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde, für Eiszeitforschung und Geschichte des Klimas herausgegeben: pp. [14], original printed green paper wrappers bound
  • Beobachtungen an Gletschern und Inlandeis: pp. [20], original printed orange paper wrappers bound
  • Die Natur der Polarwelt: pp. [12], original printed buff paper wrappers bound
  • The oceanographical problems of the Antarctic: pp. [18], 4 cartographical graphs, original printed grey paper wrappers bound

Housed together in cloth-backed decorative boards, spine lettered in gilt, for W.L.S. Fleming (member of the British Graham Land Expedition) with his bookplate on front pastedown.

Various publishers 1898-1928.

Conrad p96 (third item); Spence 2201 (ibid).

ITEM 31. NORDENSKJÖLD, Otto; J. Gunnar ANDERSSON; C.A. LARSEN & C. SKOTTSBERG. Antarctic,

två år bland sydpolens isar af Otto Nordenskjöld, J. Gunnar Andersson, C.A. Larsen och C. Skottsberg. Med öfver 350 illustrationer (hvaraf närmare 150 helsidesbilder) samt 4 kartor i färgtryck.

Albert Bonniers Förlag, Stockholm 1904.

First edition. The true first edition of an important “heroic age” expedition, the only one to engage in interior exploration of the Peninsula. Unfortunately, the original silver-decorated cloth bindings often oxidize, obscuring their elaborately decorated surfaces. This original Swedish publication is a much more extensive work than the later one- volume English translation.

Spence 856.

ITEM 32. NORDENSKJÖLD, Dr. Otto; J. Gunnar ANDERSSON; C.A. LARSEN & C. SKOTTSBERG. Antarctic

Zwei Jahre in Schnee und Eis am Südpol. Nach dem schwedischen Original ins Deutsche übertragen von Mathilde Mann.

Dietrich Reimer (Ernst Vohsen), Berlin 1904.

First German edition. Included here because of material not found in the English edition, and because of the magnificent pictorial cloth bindings.

Spence 857.

ITEM 33. NORDENSKJÖLD, Dr. N. Otto G.; Dr. Joh. Gunnar ANDERSSON. Antarctica,

or Two Years amongst the Ice of the South Pole.

Hurst & Blackett, Limited, London 1905.

First English edition. This is an attenuated version of Nordenskjold’s narrative – the principal account of the Swedish South Polar Expedition of 1901-04 – lacking much of the illustration and scientific commentary of the original Swedish and German editions. The volume’s green cloth binding is also prone to fading, all of which is a pity, since Nordenskjold’s was the first journey to winter over in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Conrad p103; Spence 860.

ITEM 34. DUSE, S.A. Bland pingviner och sälar.

Minnen från Svenska Sydpolexpeditionen 1901-1903 af S.A. Duse.

Beijers Bokförlagsaktiebolag, Stockholm 1905.

First edition. Here is another book intact in its original decorated paper wrappers – a rare survival without the addition of a later binding. Duse, the geologist and mapmaker aboard Nordenskjold’s Swedish Antarctic expedition of 1901-1904, naturally wrote his account in Swedish. Though it never received the compliment of a translation into English, his work was to have great influence on the “heroic age” of exploration.

Spence 405.

ITEM 35. DUSE, S.A. Unter Pinguinen und Seehunden.

Erinnerungen von der schwedischen Südpolexpedition 1901-1903. Von S.A. Duse.

Verlag Wilhelm Baensch, Berlin 1905.

First German edition. Recognizing the importance of Duse’s work, the Germans translated his original Swedish text, adding more elaborate illustrations.

Spence 406.

ITEM 36. Scientific Reports from the Swedish South Polar Expedition.

Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der schwedischen Südpolarexpedition 1901-1903 unter Leitung von Dr. Otto Nordenskjöld.

Comprising: 23 fascicules, 4to (273 x 215 mm).

Band II. Lieferung 1: Das Klima als eine Funktion von Temperatur und Windgeschwindigkeit in ihrer Verbindung, von Gösta Bodman; pp. 21, [1], 1 folding graph, 1 graph in text.

Band II. Lieferung 2: Meteorologische Ergebnisse der schwedischen Südpolarexpedition; I Stündliche Beobachtungen bei Snow Hill, bearbeitet von Gösta Bodman; pp. 363, [1], 1 folding colour map, 3 photographic plates, 1 sketched text illustration.

Band II. Lieferung 3: Meteorologische Ergebnisse der schwedischen Südpolarexpedition; II Tägliche Beobachtungen an Bord der “Antarctic” und auf der Paulet-Insel, bearbeitet von Gösta Bodman; pp. 114, 1 full-page map, 1 photo- graphic plate, 1 diagram and 1 graph in the text.

Band II. Lieferung 4; Meteorologische Beobachtungen der schwedischen Südpolarexpedition; III Zusammenfassung der allgemeinen meteorologischen Resultate sowie Beobachtungen während der Schlittenfahrt 30. Sept. – 4. Nov. 1902, bearbeitet von Gösta Bodman; pp. 159, [1], 62 plates (showing graphs and meteorological diagrams).

Band IV. Lieferung 1: Hepaticae, gesammelt von C. Skottsberg, während der schwedischen Südpolarexpedition 1901-1903, bearbeitet von F. Stephani, Liepzig; pp. 11, [1], 7 sketched text illustrations.

Band IV. Lieferung 2: Feuerländische Blüten. Einige Aufzeichnungen und Beobachtungen, von Carl Skottsberg; pp. 75, [1], 89 sketched text illustrations, 3pp index.

Band IV. Liegerung 3: Die Gefässpflanzen Südgeorgiens, von Carl Skottsberg; pp. 12, 1 full-page colour map, 2 plates.

Band IV. Lieferung 4: Zur Flora des Feuerlandes. Floristische Beobachtungen über Gefässpflanzen, gesammelt in den Jahren 1902 und 1903, von Carl Skottsberg; pp. 41, [1], 1 full-page colour map, 2 plates, 1p index.

Band IV. Lieferung 5: Antarctic and subantarctic corallinaceae, by M. Foslie; pp. 16, 2 photographic plates.

Band IV. Lieferung 7: Bakteriologische Studien während der schwedischen Südpolarexpedition 1901-1903, von Erik Ekelöf; pp. 120, 1 plate.

Band IV. Lieferung 8: La flore bryologique des terres magellaniques, de la Géorgie du Sud et de l’Antarctide, par Jules Cardot; pp. 298, 11 plates, 61 sketched text illustrations, 2pp index.

Band IV. Lieferung 9: Pflanzenphysiognomisches beobachten aus dem Feuerlande, von Carl Skottsberg; pp. 63, [1], 1 folding colour map, 3 photographic plates, 10 text illustrations (6 photographic, 4 sketched).

Band IV. Lieferung 10: Studien über das Pflanzenleben der Falklandinseln, von Carl Skottsberg: pp. 58, 5 photo- graphic text illustrations.

Band IV. Lieferung 11: The lichens of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition, by Otto Vernon Darbishire; pp. 74, 3 double- page photographic plates, 1 sketched text illustration.

Band IV. Lieferung 12: The vegetation in South Georgia, by Carl Skottsberg; pp. 36, 1 double-page colour map, 6 photographic plates, 2 maps and 2 photographic illustrations in the text.

Band IV. Lieferung 13: Einige Bemerkungen über die Vegetationsverhältnisse des Graham-Landes, von Carl Skottsberg; pp. 16, 3 photographic plates, 1 map and 1 sketched illustration in the text.

Band IV. Lieferung 14: Süsswasseralgen aus der Antarktis, Südgeorgien und den Falkland Inseln, von G.W.F. Carlson; pp. 94, 3 plates, 19 sketched text illustrations.

Band V. Lieferung 6: The fishes of the Swedish South Polar Expedition, by Einar Lönnberg: pp. 70, 5 plates (2 colour), 4 sketched text illustrations.

Band VI. Lieferung 4: The echinoidea of the Swedish South Polar Expedition, by Th. Mortensen; pp. 114, 19 plates (7 photographic including 3 double-page, 12 engraved including 1 double-page), 28 mostly sketched text illustrations. Band VI. Lieferung 5: Über Dactylanthus (Cystiactis) Antarcticus (Clubb). Zugleich ein Beitrag zur Phylogenie der Actiniarien, von O. Carlgren; pp. 31, [1], 2 plates.

Band VI. Lieferung 6: Die Maldaniden, von Ivar Arwidsson; pp. 44, 2 plates (1 double-page).

Band VI. Lieferung 7: Die Brachiopoden der schwedishen Südpolarexpedition, von F. Blochmann; pp. 12, 3 plates (1 folding).

Band 47. No. 1: Priapulids and Sipunculids dredged by the Swedish Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1903 and the phe- nomenon of bipolarity, by Hjalmar Théel; pp. 36, 5 plates (1 double-page), 8 sketched text illustrations.

All fascicules in original printed paper wrappers, pages uncut.

Lithographisches Institut des Generalstabs, Stockholm 1905-1913.

Spence records a bound set of these important and extensive scientific results from the Swedish Expedition, but they were published in fascicule form over a long period of time. Here there are twenty-three separate fascicules, all in fine condition in their original printed paper wrappers. In spite of the tribulations of this expedition, a full scientific pro- gramme was carried out, including the longest series of meteorological observations in its day and proof of the geo- logical connection between South America and Graham Land.

cf Spence 859.

ITEM 37. Swedish Scientific Reports.

Den Svenska Sydpolarexpeditionen 1901-1903.

  1. Otto Nordenskjöld: Allmän öfversikt samt redogöreise för vinterstationen vid Snow
  2. G. Andersson: De vetenskapliga arbetena ombord på Antarctic sommaren 1902-03 och slädfärden till Snow Hill 1903.
  3. A. Larsen: Antarctics sidste færd.

8vo (232 x 158 mm); pp. 86, 1 map in text, 9 photographic illustrations (8 full-page), original printed green paper wrappers lettered in black.

Centraltryckeriet, Stockholm 1904.

First edition. The first scientific reports from Nordenskjold, Andersson and Larsen.

ITEM 38. ANDERSSON, Johan. On the Geology of Graham Land.

By J. Gunnar Andersson. With plates 1-6.

Almqvist & Wiksells Boktryckeri-A.-B., Uppsala 1906.

Reprint from Bulletin of the Geological Institute of Uppsala, Volume VII. A special offprint with a printed paper wrapper, inscribed in ink, “from the author”. A doctor by profession, Andersson was the second in command of Nordenskjold’s 1901-1904 Swedish expedition. His presentation to Hobbs, a professional glaciologist and one of America’s most influential commentators on Antarctica, is a fitting association.

cf Spence 2080.

ITEM 39. MURRAY, George, Editor The Antarctic Manual

for the Use of the Expedition of 1901. Edited by George Murray, F.R.S. Keeper of Botany, British Museum; Director of the civilian scientific staff of the expedition. With a preface by Sir Clements R. Markham, K.C.B.

F.R.S. President of the Royal Geographical Society. Presented to the Expedition and issued by the Royal Geographical Society.

Royal Geographical Society, London 1901.

First edition. This fascinating publication was originally designed by Discovery’s scientific director as a compendium of the most important information about the Antarctic known before the expedition started. So there are such valuable inclusions as a first English translation of the attempts to penetrate Antarctic waters by the French under Dumont d’Urville and a bibliography of previous publications on the Antarctic. Copies of the book may have been taken to the Continent itself, but George Murray, having quarrelled with Scott, left the expedition at the Cape of Good Hope.

Conrad p119; Spence 829.

ITEM 40. ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY

Results of the National Antarctic Expedition:

  1. By Captain Robert F. Scott, C.V.O., R.N.
  2. Notes on the physical geography of the Antarctic. By T. Ferrar, M.A., F.G.S.
  3. On the meteorology of the part of the Antarctic regions where the “Discovery” By Lieut. C.W. Royds, R.N.
  4. The Distribution of Antarctic seals and birds. By E.A. Wilson.
  5. Preliminary report of the biological collections of the “Discovery”. By V. Hodgson.
  6. Observations on the Antarctic sea-ice. By Captain Colbeck, R.N.R.

8vo (245 x 160 mm); pp. [353-] 405, [3], 2 full-page maps, 22 photographic illustrations on 11 plates (2 full-page), erratum slip, original printed blue paper wrappers, housed in custom-made clamshell box.

Royal Geographical Society, London 1905.

The RGS’s separate offprint of the Discovery expedition’s results, probably its most important contribution to the literature of this effort. Included in the articles is Scott’s first publication of his experiences in the Antarctic.

ITEM 41. SCOTT, Robert. The Voyage of the “Discovery”

by Captain Robert F. Scott C.V.O., R.N. With 260 full-page and smaller illustrations by Dr. E.A. Wilson and other members of the expedition, photogravure frontispieces, 12 coloured plates in facsimile from Dr. Wilson’s sketches, panoramas and maps. In two volumes.

Smith Elder, & Co., London 1905.

First edition, first issue. An elaborate and handsome publication from the first major British effort in the Antarctic, partially subsidized by public institutions. Apparently intended to be published simultaneously by Smith Elder and John Murray, only one or two copies of the first issue have appeared to date with dustwrappers. Accordingly, truly fine copies in their original cloth bindings, with all gilt-work intact, are rare.

Conrad p121; Spence 1051.

ITEM 42. [SHACKLETON, Ernest, Editor] The South Polar Times.

Volume I: April to August 1902. Edited by Ernest H. Shackleton. Volume II: April to August 1903. Edited by L.C. Bernacchi.

Volume III: April to October 1911. Edited by Apsley Cherry-Garrard.

Smith, Elder, & Co., London 1907-14.

First Edition. It has always seemed churlish to list this title under Shackleton, who only edited the first of the three volumes, for the publication arose during Scott’s two expeditions. On the first of these, Shackleton was invalided home before its completion, while he was most decidedly not a member of the second Scott effort. Still, this should not detract from the publication, a lithographed facsimile of typescripts produced by members of Scott’s party during three bleak Antarctic winters spent in his company. What does detract, however, is the gutta percha adhesive used in the bindings, now mostly perished, and the colour printing of frontispieces, which in many cases adheres to the adjacent title pages. All three volumes boast handsome bindings, with finely colour-printed scenes tipped onto the front covers, now sadly scratched and scuffed on those copies without their protective dustwrappers.

Conrad p121; Spence 1094.

ITEM 43. ARMITAGE, Albert. Two Years in the Antarctic.

Being a Narrative of the British National Antarctic Expedition by Albert B. Armitage, Lieut.

R.N.R. Second in Command and Navigator of the ‘Discovery’, 1901-1904, Second in Command of the Jackson- Harmsworth North Polar Expedition, 1894-1897. With illustrations and a map.

Edward Arnold, London 1905.

First edition. The original cloth binding has the unfortunate habit of fading in sunlight. Presumably issued without a protective dustwrapper, copies with a green cloth spine are seldom found. Nevertheless, it is one of the few first-hand accounts of Scott’s Discovery expedition to have been separately published. Armitage, a merchant officer with the P. & O. line, acted as second in command to Scott, who imposed the more hierarchical discipline of the Royal Navy upon the entire party. This did not stop Armitage from becoming the first person to walk on the Polar ice cap and to discover three immense glaciers in the process.

Conrad p110; Spence 67.

ITEM 44. FORD, C. Reginald Antarctica.

Leaves from a Diary Kept on board an Exploring Vessel. By C. Reginald Ford, F.R.G.S. Member of the National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-4.

Whitcombe & Tombs Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand [1908].

First edition. The rarest of all first-hand accounts of Scott’s Discovery expedition, by the first man to break his leg skiing in the Antarctic. Several different formats are known, all printed in New Zealand, but this is the most attractive of them.

Conrad p112.

ITEM 45. MULOCK, George. The Charts of the “Discovery” Antarctic Expedition.

By George F.A. Mulock, Lieut. R.N., Surveyor and Cartographer to the Expedition. [wrapper title].

Royal Geographical Society, London 1908.

First edition. Mulock replaced the invalided Shackleton on Scott’s Discovery expedition, and proved himself an excellent cartographer, producing one of the earliest sets of maps for any portion of the Continent. But due to the fragile nature of this production, it is seldom found in fine and fresh condition.

Conrad p118; Spence 821.

ITEM 46. [BRITISH] NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION, 1901-1904.

Album of Photographs and Sketches with a Portfolio of Panoramic Views.

Royal Society, London 1908.

It can be said with justification that these two volumes represent the most impressive publication to have resulted from any British experience in the Antarctic. One volume is a virtual photographic encyclopaedia of the Discovery voyage, together with reproductions of Edward Wilson’s watercolours depicting the Aurora; while the other contains full-scale reproductions of the most painstaking pencil panoramas of Antarctic topography, all meticulously annotated by Wilson.

Spence 838.

ITEM 47. [BRITISH] NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION, 1901-1904.

Physical Observations with Discussions by Various Authors. Prepared under the Superintendence of the Royal Society.

Royal Society, London 1908.

First edition. These four volumes detail the physical observations made during the Discovery expedition, of particular importance as the chief accomplishment of the expedition lay in the work of the scientific staff.

Spence 839.

ITEM 48. [BRITISH] NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION, 1901-1904.

Magnetic Observations. Prepared under the Superintendence of the Royal Society.

Royal Society, London 1909.

First edition.

Spence 841.

ITEM 49. [BRITISH] NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION, 1901-1904.

Natural History.

Volume I: Geology (Field-Geology: Petrography). Volume II: Zoology (Mollusca: Crustacea).

Volume III: Zoology and Botany (Invertebrata: Marine Algae, Musci). Volume IV: Zoology (Various Invertebrata).

Volume V: Zoology and Botany. Volume VI: Zoology and Botany. 6 volumes, 4to (315 x 245 mm).

[5] (indices by subject and author).

All 6 volumes in original maroon buckram-backed boards, spines lettered in gilt, in individual custom-made slipcases; edition limited to 25 copies on special paper, this copy No. 12.

British Museum, London 1907-12.

First editions. These volumes are special copies, each one of 25 copies printed on better paper and presented by the British Museum to other public institutions. Unless a set is de-accessioned by its institutional recipient, as here, they are not to be found at all, so their absence from bibliographies is understandable. The heavier paper helps to emphasize the colouring of Edward Wilson’s watercolours, especially of the birds.

Spence 837.

ITEM 49a. WILSON, Edward National Antarctic Expedition.

National Antarctic Expedition. Natural History Vol. II. Vertebrata Mammalia [and] Vertebrata Aves. By Edward A. Wilson.

British Museum (Natural History), London 1907.

Special offprints from Item 49. These two substantial fascicules are special offprints from Spence 837, containing all Wilson’s watercolours of Antarctic birds and animals in colour reproduction. As Wilson’s presentation inscription on this copy testifies, they were probably produced in very small numbers for his own distribution.

ITEM 50. [BRITISH] NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION, 1901-1904. Meteorology.

Part I: Observations at Winter Quarters and on Sledge Journeys with Discussions by Various Authors. Prepared under the Superintendence of the Director of the Meteorological Office with the Co-operation of a Committee of the Royal Society.

Part II: Comprising daily synchronous charts; 1st October, 1901, to 31st March, 1904. Prepared in the Meteorological Office, under the superintendence of M.W. Campbell Hepworth, C.B., R.D., Commander R.N.R. Marine Superintendent.

Original maroon buckram-backed cloth, spine lettered in gilt.

Royal Society, London 1908-13.

First edition.

Spence 840.

ITEM 51. [BROWN, R.N. Rudmose; R.C. Mossman; J.H. Harvey Pirie]. The Voyage of the “Scotia”.

Being the Record of a Voyage of Exploration in Antarctic Seas by Three of the Staff. With illustrations.

William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh 1906.

First edition. The name missing from this narrative of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition of 1902-4 is that of William Bruce, its leader. Having refused to accompany Scott’s Discovery expedition as its naturalist, he led instead this purely Scottish financed (and underfunded) voyage into the Weddell Sea, where his ship was promptly frozen in for the winter. Nevertheless, he made valuable gains for science, amongst which were the discovery of Coats Land and the first thorough study of penguins. The coloured printing on the cover and spine of this book must originally have been experimental, as many copies suffer from a degradation of the white pigment. Later issues of the binding seem to have corrected the difficulty.

Conrad p128; Spence 193.

ITEM 53. CHARCOT, Jean. Expédition Antarctique Française...

commandée par le Dr. J. Charcot 1903-1905.

Paris c.1906.

Subscribers edition. A tipped-in notice in front of the title page informs us that this private printing was designed for presentation only to major contributors to Charcot’s pioneering first expedition. Moreover, as the title page makes clear, most of the photographic illustrations of the Antarctic are not reproduced elsewhere. So here is a completely private view of the first extensive exploration of Graham Land on the Continent – one Frenchman’s idea of the rewards for private contribution to a successful Antarctic venture.

cf Conrad p135.

ITEM 54. CHARCOT, Jean. Journal de l’Expédition Antarctique Française, 1903-05.

Le “Français” au Pole Sud. Par J.-B. Charcot, chef de l’expédition. Préface par l’Amiral Fournier. Ouvrage contenant trois cents illustrations et une carte hors texte. Suivi d’un exposé de quelques-uns des travaux scientifiques par les membres de l’État-Major MM. Matha, Rey, Pléneau, Turquet, Gourdon, Charcot.

Ernest Flammarion, Éditeur, Paris 1906.

First edition. The official narrative of Charcot’s first venture into the Antarctic, and an exceptional copy in that its original paper wrapper binding is still intact. In 1906, and for many years thereafter, large and heavy productions like this would have been placed by their owners in leather bindings, disturbing the continuous pictorial impact of the wrappers (even when they were preserved inside). For those interested in irony it should be said that Charcot originally set out to rescue Otto Nordenskjold, the missing Swedish explorer. Though he failed in the race to Nordenskjold, he managed to create the best charts to date of large portions of the Antarctic Peninsula and Gerlache Strait.

Conrad p134; Spence 253.

ITEM 55. CHARCOT, Jean. Expédition Antarctique Française (1903-05)

commandée par le Dr Jean Charcot. Sciences naturelles: document scientifiques.

Masson et Cie., Paris 1906.

First edition. Two extensive fascicules of natural history reports from the first Charcot expedition. Both are inscribed by their respective authors on the front wrappers.

cf Conrad p135; cf Spence 254.

ITEM 56. GOURDON, M.E. Thèses présentées a la Faculté des Sciences de Paris

…pour obtenir le titre de Docteur de l’Université de Paris par

M.E. Gourdon, Géologue de l’Expédition Antarctique Française.

1re Thèse: Géographie physique – Glaciologie – Pétrographie des Régions visitées par l’Expédition Antarctique Française commandée par le Dr Charcot (1903-1905).

2e Thèse: Propositions données par la Faculté.

Soutenues le [26] juin 1908 devant la Commission d’examen. MM. Vélain … Président. Michel, Berget … Examinateurs.

Masson et Cie., Paris 1908.

First edition. Behind this innocuous title lies an exciting Antarctic publication, with reproductions of some of the best Antarctic photography in its day. Gourdon, a geologist and glaciologist aboard Charcot’s Francais, here submits his thesis in order to obtain a doctorate from the University of Paris – a superb publication that must have been printed in very small numbers.

Conrad p135 (First part).

ITEM 57. SHACKLETON, Ernest. The Heart of the Antarctic.

Shackleton, Heart of the AntarcticBeing the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909. By E.H. Shackleton, C.V.O. With an introduction by Hugh Robert Mill, D.Sc., & an account of the first journey to the south magnetic pole by Professor T.W. Edgeworth David, F.R.S.

William Heinemann, London 1909.

First edition, Special Limited Large Paper Issue (printed on specially made Van Gelder paper watermarked ‘1907 B A E 1909’). Here is the most luxurious publication to have appeared during the “heroic age” of Antarctic exploration, recording the exploits of the one British expedition to have been crowned with popular success, and signed by all members of the shore party. Unfortunately, it was produced in vellum bindings prone to bowing, rubbing and discoloration due to an accumulation of dirt, so today it is quite unusual to find a set that gleams as it did when first produced. Spence doesn’t indicate any priority of issuance, though this limited version is likely to have been the first appearance of Shackleton’s account. And just to complicate matters, there are issue points: a first issue of The Antarctic Book, as here, invents a new poem by Shackleton entitled Aurora Australis (this was later corrected and appended to the preceding poem, of which it formed a portion).

Conrad p148; Spence 1096.

ITEM 58. SHACKLETON, Ernest. The Heart of the Antarctic;

The Heart of the AntarcticBeing the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-1909. By E.H. Shackleton, C.V.O. With an introduction by Hugh Robert Mill, D.Sc. An account of the first journey to the south magnetic pole by Professor T.W. Edgeworth David, F.R.S.

William Heinemann, London 1909.

First edition. Known today as the Nimrod expedition, this proved to be the making of Shackleton, encompassing the first ascent of Mount Erebus, the first (failed) experiment with an automated vehicle in the Antarctic and, most importantly, the mapping of a viable route to the Pole. Metallic silver printing was used for the vignette on the front covers, which oxidized on most copies if they were not continuously protected by their original drab dustwrappers.

Conrad p148; Spence 1097.

ITEM 59. SHACKLETON, Ernest. 21 Meilen vom Südpol.

Die Geschichte der britischen Südpol-Expedition 1907/09 von E.H. Shackleton, Kommodore des königlichen Viktoria-Ordens, Mitglied der königl. geographischen Gesellschaft. Mit einer Beschreibung der Reise zum magnetischen Südpol von Prof. T.W. Edgeworth David (Mitglied der königlichen Gesellschaft). Übersetzt und bearbeitet von Friedrich Becker.

Wilhelm Güsserott, Berlin [1910].

First German edition. This edition of ‘Heart of the Antarctic’ has different methods of illustration and attractively decorated cloth bindings. A third volume, containing scientific reports from Shackleton’s party, was published to accompany the narrative, but is seldom found with it today.

ITEM 60. [SHACKLETON, Ernest, Editor]. Aurora Australis.

Winter Quarters of the British Antarctic Expedition 1908-09.

First edition. The most renowned title in the Antarctic canon, this book was printed throughout an Antarctic winter at Cape Royds in 1908, during Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition. Wonderful descriptions exist of the difficulties encountered by Joyce, Wild and Marston in its printing, and by Day in its binding, all of which help to make the book a collector’s curiosity. As for its contents, Shackleton’s son later gave it a fitting epitaph: “It contains no very important information about the success or otherwise of expedition affairs but it does show imagination, ingenuity and a surprising degree of professionalism in the difficult circumstances.”

Bernard Day bound this title in a decidedly eccentric manner, using Venesta boards (a kind of early plywood) from amongst the 2500 packing cases taken to the Antarctic by the expedition. Today, copies tend to be known by the contents stencilled on their boards. So this copy would be described as a “Butter” copy, since that word is to be found on the rear cover. It should be distinguished from another “Butter” copy, now in the Scott Polar Research Institute, which originally belonged to Lady Shackleton.

Conrad p146; Spence 1095.

ITEM 60a. [SHACKLETON, Ernest, Editor]. Aurora Australis.

Bluntisham Books, Paradigm Press 1986.

Facsimile edition. The fine Bluntisham facsimile of Spence 1095, correct in practically every detail and issued in an edition of 58 copies, supposedly to equal the number of original copies still surviving. Shackleton always said there were about 100 printed, but judging by the number of “presentations” Shackleton made upon his return to England, the initial demand for copies did not meet the supply.

Conrad p146.

ITEM 61. MURRAY, James; George MARSTON. Antarctic Days.

Sketches of the Homely Side of Polar Life by Two of Shackleton’s Men. Illustrated by the authors, James Murray and George Marston, and introduced by Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Edition limited to 280 numbered copies signed by the authors and Shackleton, this copy No. 10.

Andrew Melrose, London 1913.

Edition-de-luxe. Shackleton seems to have used limited edition printings as a means of raising finance for his ventures. Here he is following in the footsteps of Scott’s Discovery publications, one of which became the first two volumes of the South Polar Times (indeed, Shackleton had edited the first volume himself). Written with a good deal of jocularity, it gives us a feeling for the personal side of Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition.

Conrad p145; Spence 830.

ITEM 62. SHACKLETON, Ernest. The British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-9.

n.p. [London 1909].

Exhibition catalogue. Shackleton achieved the first substantial attack on the South Pole during this journey of exploration, turning back less than 100 miles from his destination; and he returned a hero to the British public. In order to profit from the excitement, an exhibition of artefacts and pictures (partially for display and partially for sale) was hastily mounted. Today, the catalogue remains a primary reference for the artefacts brought back from Shackleton’s most successful expedition.

ITEM 63. KIDSON, Edward. British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909.

Under the Command of Sir E.H. Shackleton, C.V.O. Reports on the Scientific Investigations. Meteorology. By Edward Kidson, O.B.E., D.Sc., F.Inst.P. Registered by the Postmaster-General for transmission through the post as a book. Wholly set up and printed in Australia.

H.J. Green, Government Printer, Melbourne 1928.

First edition. One of the few scientific publications to have resulted from any of Shackleton’s three ventures in the Antarctic. Without adequate support from any British scientific body, this New Zealand meteorologist chose to issue his results in the Antipodes.

Conrad p144; Spence 183.

ITEM 64. CHARCOT, Jean. Le Pourquoi-Pas? dans l’Antarctique.

Journal de la deuxième expédition au pole sud 1908-1910 suivi des rapports scientifiques des membres de l’état major. Préface de M. Paul Doumer.

Ernest Flammarion, Paris 1910.

First edition. Another remarkable survival of a heavy French book in its original wrappers, a first edition in what might be described as the “popular” version, complete with attractive and dramatic artwork on its paper wrappers. Building upon his earlier expedition, Charcot conducted a much more extensive exploration of the Continental archipelago known as Graham Land. The photography he brought back and publishes here, though the product of various members of his expedition, is far superior to any previous effort in the Antarctic.

cf Conrad p152 (for translated editions); Spence 256.

ITEM 65. CHARCOT, Jean. Le Pourquoi-Pas? dans l’Antarctique.

Journal de la deuxième expédition au pole sud 1908-1910 suivi des rapports scientifiques des membres de l’état major. Préface de M. Paul Doumer.

Ernest Flammarion, Paris 1910.

First edition. Internally the same as Spence 256, but intact with its original “academic” printed paper wrappers, bereft of the pictorial element noted above – clearly not intended for popular circulation. The priority of these two issues has not been established.

cf Conrad p152 (for translated editions); Spence 256.

ITEM 66. CHARCOT, Jean. The Voyage of the ‘Why Not?’ in the Antarctic.

The Journal of the Second French South Polar Expedition, 1908-1910 by Dr. Jean Charcot. English version by Philip Walsh. With numerous illustrations from photographs.

Hodder & Stoughton, London [1911].

First English edition. In 1906, when Charcot’s first journey was given to the French-speaking world, British publishers clearly felt there was insufficient interest at home to commission an English translation. By 1911, however, with the Shackleton/Scott controversy raging and chauvinism over the Antarctic riding high, this most handsome piece of book production appeared in Britain. Perhaps its lasting elegance was an unspoken apology for previous British indifference to France’s efforts in the Antarctic.

Conrad p152; Spence 262.

ITEM 67. CHARCOT, Jean. The Voyage of the ‘Why Not?’ in the Antarctic.

The Journal of the Second French South Polar Expedition, 1908-1910. By Dr. Jean Charcot. English Version by Philip Walsh. With numerous illustrations from photographs.

The Musson Book Company Limited, Toronto 1911.

First English language edition, Canadian issue. Aside from the Canadian publisher’s name on the binding and title page, this is identical to the earlier British publication. To date, however, only this Canadian edition has surfaced with an original dustwrapper, curiously sporting a circular cut-out on the front wrapper and thereby exposing the gilt medallion underneath.

Conrad p152.

ITEM 68. CHARCOT, Jean. Deuxième Expédition Antarctique Française (1908-1910)

…commandée par le Dr Jean Charcot. Sciences physiques: documents scientifiques. Description des côtes et banquises instructions nautiques par M. Bongrain Lieutenant de Vaisseau, détaché à l’Expédition par le Ministère de la Marine.

3 fascicules of the scientific results from Charcot’s second expedition, including photogravure plates and panoramas, and a portfolio of superb coloured maps from the expedition. According to Roland Huntford (‘Scott and Amundsen’, p185), “Charcot’s charting of land in the Bellingshausen Sea exceeded both in quantity and quality the slipshod surveying under Scott [during his Discovery expedition].”

cf Spence 260.

ITEM 69. DAILY CHRONICLE NEWSPAPER. The Daily Chronicle and the South Pole.

Printed for private circulation [1912].

A remarkable private publication, containing the first report from Amundsen of his successful trip to the Pole, original articles by Nansen and Shackleton on the event and a wealth of illustration, all issued before Scott’s fate was known in Britain.

cf Spence 333 (later printing).

ITEM 70. AMUNDSEN, Roald. Sydpolen.

Den norske sydpolsfærd med Fram 1910-1912. Med portrætter, illustrationer og karter.

Jacob Dybwads Forlag, Kristiania 1912.

First edition. The original Norwegian text of Amundsen’s pioneering march to the Pole and safe return, written before the fate of Scott and his men was known. As Amundsen’s feat had considerable importance for newly independent Norway, his narrative was first published in serial form, to be bound up by purchasers after the last issue. Hard on the heels of the last issue this splendidly baroque cloth bound version was published, present here in its cardboard packing case.

Spence 14.

ITEM 71. AMUNDSEN, Roald. The South Pole.

An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the “Fram”, 1910-1912. By Roald Amundsen. Translated from the Norwegian by A.G. Chater. With maps and numerous illustrations. In two volumes.

John Murray, London 1912.

First English edition. Published some three months before Scott’s death was known to the world. To their credit, John Murray produced a two volume set of real quality, incorporating the Norwegian flag, despite realising that British disappointment at being beaten to the Pole would ensure that it was not a publishing success in the United Kingdom. Altogether, there are 63 full-page photographic reproductions in this version (as opposed to 53 in the original Norwegian publication), and the quality of their reproduction is much enhanced here. Moreover, since the dustwrappers are not often seen, it is worth noting that the publishers used photographic reproductions on them as well – an elaboration not to be found on John Murray’s volumes for Scott’s two expeditions.

Conrad p156; Spence 16.

ITEM 72. AMUNDSEN, Roald. The South Pole.

An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the “Fram”, 1910-1912 by Roald Amundsen. Translated from the Norwegian by A.G. Chater. Two volumes in one.

John Murray, London 1929.

The primary interest in this later one volume version is the photographic portrait of Amundsen on the front cover of the dustwrapper, encased in his furs and looking indisputably like the man who conquered the South Pole.

cf Conrad p156; Spence 22.

ITEM 73. HANSSEN, Helmer. Voyages of a Modern Viking.

By Helmer Hanssen. Foreword by Vice-Admiral E.R.G.R. Evans (“Evans of the Broke”).

George Routledge & Sons Ltd., London 1936.

First edition. Hanssen accompanied Amundsen to the Pole, and in this work wrote one of the very few first hand accounts of the ordeal. Vice-Admiral Evans, it should be remembered, was Scott’s second in command on the Terra Nova, who was sent home ill and in disfavour after returning from the last depot party on Scott’s Polar journey. So he knew a thing or two about that march to the Pole and back.

Conrad p159.

ITEM 74. SKATTUM, Dr O.J. Sydpol-Forskning

…en utsigt over dens utvikling gjennem tiderne. Med billeder og karter.

I Kommission Hos H. Aschehoug & Co., Christiania 1912.

First edition. The first substantial publication in Norway to herald Amundsen’s discovery of the Pole, an event which brought an enhanced sense of national identity to the recently independent country.

ITEM 75. SHIRASE, Nobu. Watashi no Nankyoku Tankenki.


[Account of my Expedition to the South Pole].

 

Imperial Youth Education Association, Tokyo 1942.

In Japanese. Spence seems never to have heard of this important Japanese expedition, which tried to rival Scott’s assault on the Pole from 1910-1912. They achieved 80 degrees south and discovered both Kainan and Okuma Bays in the first Japanese scientific voyage to leave Asian waters. There is an earlier edition of this account by Shirase, but it is one of the great rarities in Antarctic literature; and this cheap wartime reprint, no doubt intended to ignite patriotic spirit, is probably just as difficult to find.

ITEM 76. KIMURA, Yoshimasa; Zenya TANIGUCHI. Shirase Chui Tankenki


[Account of Lieutenant Shirase’s Expedition to the South Pole].

 

Daichisha, Tokyo 1942.

In Japanese. This is a special wartime reprint of Kimura’s narrative, one of only two accounts of Japan’s first scientific venture outside of Asian waters. Kimura captained the Kainan-Maru, which sailed for two seasons during 1910-1912 in the Ross Sea area, exploring off the coast of Victoria Land and Edward VII Peninsula.

ITEM 77. SCOTT, Robert. Scott’s Last Expedition.

In two volumes.

Smith, Elder & Co., London 1913.

First edition. This is undoubtedly the most widely known of all Antarctic expeditions and publications. Readers, having absorbed Scott’s account of the expedition in the first volume, would have discovered in the second volume a host of first-hand accounts deserving of more weight today: Cherry-Garrard’s account of the Winter Journey, Victor Campbell’s narrative of the Northern Party, Griffith Taylor on the Western Journeys, Raymond Priestley on the ascent of Erebus, preliminary scientific reports from Edward Wilson’s staff and throughout the unrivalled photography of Herbert Ponting. No wonder few copies survive with their dustwrappers intact.

Conrad p188; Spence 1056.

ITEM 78. SCOTT, Robert. Scott’s Last Expedition.

Proof copy, unbound. A seminal work, with the text in unbound quires stamped either first or second revise; the maps and, most spectacularly, the photographs in proof state, the latter printed on heavier paper with handwritten identifications.

ITEM 79. CHERRY-GARRARD, Apsley, Editor. South Polar Times.

Volume III

Volume III, edition limited to 350 copies, this No. 114.

[Note: for collation of Volumes I and II of the ‘South Polar Times’, and for the binding details of this volume see No.42.]

ITEM 80. PRIESTLEY, Raymond. Antarctic Adventure;

Scott’s Northern Party by Raymond E. Priestley. With a map and 150 illustrations.

  1. Fisher Unwin, London 1914.

First edition. Another account of Scott’s Terra Nova expedition, but here one reads about the wild adventures and amazing survival of the so-called Northern Party – an episode which may in our time achieve greater popularity than the dour tragedy of Scott’s polar march. A letter from Priestley survives in which he says that many copies of this first printing were destroyed in a warehouse fire.

Conrad p186; Spence 939.

ITEM 81. TAYLOR, Griffith. With Scott:

the Silver Lining. By Griffith Taylor, D.Sc., Etc. With nearly 200 illustrations and maps.

Smith, Elder & Co., London 1916.

First edition. Happily, Taylor provides us with one of the most substantial accounts of Scott’s Terra Nova expedition, and one of its finest book productions. As he led the Western party in their exploration of the Western Mountains of Victoria Land, and then Granite Harbour, the book naturally concentrates on them. But his copious journal, sledge diaries and field books (personally illustrated) proved an excellent source of detailed information on such topics as scientific equipment and technique as well as the domestic life of the expedition while wintering at Hut Point and Cape Evans. Amusingly, only the second issue of this work (present here) managed to include the author’s preface.

Conrad p190; Spence 1183.

ITEM 82. PONTING, Herbert. The Great White South.

Being an Account of Experiences with Captain Scott’s South Pole Expedition and of the Nature Life of the Antarctic. By Herbert G. Ponting, F.R.G.S. Author of “Fujisan”, “In Lotus Land: Japan”, etc. With 164 photographic illustrations by the author, 11 by Captain Scott and others, a map & 2 drawings, and an introduction by Lady Scott.

Duckworth & Co., London 1921.

First edition. This great professional photographer put the exploits and tragedy of Scott’s last expedition into haunting visual form, creating in the process a body of the world’s finest Antarctic photography – amply illustrated here to good effect. Somewhat disconcertingly, he chose to illustrate the dustwrapper for his work with an artist’s rendition of one of his favourite penguin photographs.

Conrad pp183-4; Spence 925.

ITEM 83. EVANS, Edward. South with Scott

by Captain Edward R.G.R. Evans, C.B., D.S.O., R.N. With diagram and three maps.

  1. Collins Sons & Co. Ltd., London 1921.

Second impression. Spence is confused about the various dates of issue for this title; here is the second issue, printed in the same month as the first. A popular book for boys, it went through many editions during its lifetime in print, most of which were heavily used. Evans started on Scott’s Terra Nova expedition as his second in command, but friction soon developed between the two of them. Having been close to death from exhaustion and scurvy on his return journey from the final polar support camp, he was invalided home in 1912, only to return the following year as leader of the remaining party after Scott’s death.

Conrad p176 (1st edition); Spence 432

ITEM 84. CHERRY-GARRARD, Apsley. The Worst Journey in the World.

Antarctic 1910-1913. By Apsley Cherry-Garrard with panoramas, maps, and illustrations by the late Doctor Edward A. Wilson and other members of the expedition. In two volumes.

Constable and Company Limited, London 1922.

First edition. With this title we have come to the best written and most enduring account of exploits in the Antarctic (continuously in print during the past 78 years). “It was perhaps the only real stroke of luck in Scott’s ill fated [Terra Nova] expedition that Cherry-Garrard, the one survivor of the winter journey, happened to be able to describe it so effectively that the reader forgets how comfortable he is in his arm-chair, and remembers the tale with a shiver as if he had been through it himself.” – George Bernard Shaw. Cherry-Garrard was not so skilled in his choice of bindings, however, with unhappy consequences: “Against all experienced and professional advice … he insisted upon that white half-binding, since he wanted his book to look as handsome and as ‘Polar’ as possible. The result was that … within a few weeks of handling, every copy would have grown so grubby it would have had to be recased. Fortunately, only relatively few copies of the first edition were actually bound up.” – Fred Snelling’s ‘Rare Books and Rarer People’,

p.127. A second issue, bound in durable blue cloth, rapidly made its way onto the market.

Conrad p173; Spence 277.

ITEM 85. CHERRY-GARRARD, Apsley. The Worst Journey in the World.

New York 1923.

US copyright issue. Cherry-Garrard had this version printed in very small numbers in order to secure an American copyright. Aside from a short introductory comment, he gives a concise and masterful account of his involvement with Scott’s second and last expedition.

Spence 280.

ITEM 86. GRAN, Tryggve. Wo das Südlicht flammt;

Scotts letzte Südpol-Expedition und was ich dabei erlebte von Tryggve Gran. Einzig berechtigte deutsche Ausgabe. Aus dem Norwegischen von Dr Adrian Mohr.

Otto Uhlmann Verlag, Berlin 1928.

First German edition. Spence has an incorrect date, which should be 1928, and an incorrect collation. This is the German version of a first-hand narrative by Scott’s Norwegian skiing professional on the Terra Nova expedition. Gran has his own point of view, illustrated poignantly in Ponting’s famous photograph of the skier executing a turn on Antarctic ice. He could have said a good deal more on the subject of Scott’s lack of understanding about skis, but even so his book was only translated into English after Roland Huntford had raised the issue of Scott’s incompetence in print.

Spence 525.

ITEM 87. LASHLY, William. The Diary of W. Lashly.

A Record of the Return Journey of the Last Supporting Party with Capt. Scott to the South Pole. With a foreword by Admiral Sir Edward R.G.R. Evans K.C.B., D.S.O., LL.D.

University of Reading 1938-39.

First edition. This is a faultless copy of a true Antarctic rarity, and no doubt one of very few with a presentation inscription from Lashly. The University initiated the project as an exercise in fine printing, but it caught the spirit of a slightly later age in reproducing the exploits of a below-deck seaman. Today Lashly’s fame is well established, based largely on this harrowing return from the last depot on Scott’s polar journey – during which Lashly and Crean virtually saved the life of Captain (and second in command of the expedition) Edward Evans, who was severely affected by scurvy.

Conrad p180; Spence 685.

ITEM 88. SCOTT, Robert. The Diaries...

of Captain Robert Scott. A Record of the second Antarctic Expedition 1910-1912.

University Microfilms Ltd, Bucks 1968.

An important and unexpectedly scarce publication of the complete manuscript diaries compiled by Captain Scott on his last expedition, including the sledging diary recovered from his tent after the fatal journey from the Pole.

Conrad p188; Spence 1078.

ITEM 89. WRIGHT, Charles British (“Terra Nova”) Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913.

Glaciology. By C.S. Wright, O.B.E., M.C., B.A. (Research, Cantab.), M.A. (Toronto), F.R.A.S., F. Inst.P., and R.E. Priestley, M.C., B.A. (Research, Cantab.), Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge.

Harrison and Sons, Ltd., London 1922.

First edition. A Canadian by birth, Wright performed extensive work as a physicist on Scott’s last expedition (though he is better known today as the man who first sighted the tent where Scott and his companions died). The resulting volume should also be better known, as it is the most extensively illustrated of all the Terra Nova publications, with photography from practically every camera used on the expedition, including many of Ponting’s most stunning pictures.

Spence 1284.

ITEM 90. TAYLOR, Griffith British (“Terra Nova”) Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913.

The Physiography of the McMurdo Sound and Granite Harbour Region. By Griffith Taylor, D.Sc., B.E. (Syd.), B.A. (Camb.), F.R.G.S. McCaughey Associate-Professor of Geography, University of Sydney, Senior Geologist and Leader of the Western Parties.

Harrison and Sons, Ltd., London 1922.

First edition. This is the more formal scientific account of Taylor’s western journeys – the third outing for his descriptive powers (the first appeared in Scott’s Last Expedition, Volume II). Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly the most lavishly illustrated and charted version, as well as the most difficult of his titles to obtain.

Spence 1184.

ITEM 91. SIMPSON, G.C. British Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913.

Meteorology. 3 volumes, 4to (312 x 251 mm).

Thacker, Spink & Co., Calcutta [and] Harrison and Sons, Ltd., London 1919 [and] 1923.

First edition. A key publication in today’s search for signs of global warming; a portion of this work was obviously printed in India because of wartime restrictions, and accordingly missed by Spence.

ITEM 92. DEBENHAM, Frank. British (“Terra Nova”) Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913.

Report on the Maps and Surveys. By F. Debenham, O.B.E., B.A., B.Sc. (Sydney), M.A. (Cantab.), Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Geologist on the Expedition.

Harrison and Sons, Ltd., London 1923.

First edition. A geologist on Scott’s second journey, Debenham was a member of both western geological parties. His map-making skills are best displayed in this publication, with all maps bar one drawn from the expedition, offered together with his description and criticism of the instruments he used to take measurements.

Conrad p174; Spence 357.

ITEM 93. DEBENHAM, Frank. British (“Terra Nova”) Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913.

The Physiography of the Ross Archipelago. By F. Debenham, O.B.E., B.A., B.Sc. (Sydney), M.A. (Cantab.), Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Geologist to the Expedition.

Harrison and Sons, Ltd., London 1923.

Though not specially trained for physiographical research, Debenham had to take over from T.G. Taylor, who returned to Australia after the expedition’s first year. Buttressed with photographs from Priestley and sketches by Wilson, he has managed to produce a handsome scientific volume relating to the expedition’s base area.

Conrad p174; Spence 356.

ITEM 94. WRIGHT, Charles. British (“Terra Nova”) Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913.

Physiography of the Beardmore Glacier Region. By C.S. Wright, O.B.E., M.C., B.A. (Research, Cantab.), M.A. (Toronto), F.R.A.S., F. Inst.P.

Harrison and Sons, Ltd., London 1923.

Since the Beardmore Glacier served as the gateway to the Polar plateau for Scott’s ill-fated march to the Pole, this well illustrated analysis takes on special interest.

Spence 1285.

ITEM 95. PRIESTLEY, Raymond. British (“Terra Nova”) Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913.

Physiography (Robertson Bay and Terra Nova Bay regions). By R.E. Priestley, M.C., M.A. (Cantab.), Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge.

Harrison and Sons, Ltd., London 1923.

First edition. One of the scientific reports from the Terra Nova expedition, illustrated with excellent photographs, many taken by Dr. Murray Levick.

Spence 941.

ITEM 96. LYONS, Henry. British (“Terra Nova”) Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913.

Miscellaneous Data. Compiled by Colonel H.G. Lyons, F.R.S.

Harrison and Sons, Ltd., London 1924.

“Miscellaneous Data” is too innocuous a title for this fascinating analysis of the Terra Nova and the various supplies taken aboard the expedition.

Spence 730.

ITEM 97. British Antarctic (“Terra Nova”) Expedition, 1910-1913 Natural History Reports.

Comprising: 37 fascicules, 4to (311 x 236 mm).

ITEM 98. FILCHNER, Wilhelm. Zum sechsten Erdteil.

Die zweite deutsche Südpolarexpedition von Wilhelm Filchner, Dr. Phil. H.C. / Major A.D. Unter Mitwirkung der Expeditionsteilnehmer: Alfred Kling, Kapitän, Hamburg, Dr. Erich Przybyllok, O.Ö. Professor an der Universität Königsberg., Direktor der Sternwarte. Mit zahlreichen Bildern, Skizzen und Karten.

Im Verlag Ullstein, Berlin 1922.

First deluxe edition. The official narrative of another German expedition, led by Wilhelm Filchner in the ship Deutschland, present here in a deluxe edition printed on special paper and bound in its original blue cloth. Though not distinguished by Spence, this is probably the first issue. Like its German predecessor, the Deutschland was frozen in for a winter, and the expedition did succeed in discovering both the Filchner Ice Shelf and the Luitpold Coast. But Drygalski’s prodigious stream of scientific publications did not materialize from Filchner’s journey.

Spence 457 (incorrectly dated 1923).

ITEM 99. FILCHNER, Wilhelm Zum sechsten Erdteil.

Die zweite deutsche Südpolarexpedition von Wilhelm Filchner, Dr. Phil. H.C. / Major A.D. Unter Mitwirkung der Expeditionsteilnehmer: Alfred Kling, Kapitän, Hamburg, Dr. Erich Przybyllok, O.Ö. Professor an der Universität Königsberg, Direktor der Sternwarte. Mit zahlreichen Bildern, Skizzen und Karten.

In Verlag Ullstein, Berlin 1922.

First trade edition. Spence has the wrong date, which should be 1922. This is a copy of the more commonly seen first trade edition, printed on cheaper paper and bound in its original red cloth.

Conrad p196; Spence 457.

ITEM 100. MAWSON, Douglas. The Home of the Blizzard

Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914; by Sir Douglas Mawson, D.Sc., B.E. Illustrated in colour and black and white also with maps.

William Heinemann, London 1915.

First edition. This set boasts a signed presentation inscription to Sir Philip Brocklehurst, a companion of Mawson on his first exploration of the Antarctic with Shackleton’s “Nimrod” expedition. As leader of his own Antarctic expedition, Mawson charted more than 2000 miles of coastline and nearly lost his life in a wild sledge journey. In the process, he developed a detailed scientific analysis of George V Land and Macquarie Island, and produced this classic account of “heroic age” exploits, which includes stunning photography from the camera of Frank Hurley.

Conrad p208; Spence 774.

ITEM 101. DAVIS, John. With the “Aurora” in the Antarctic, 1911-1914.

By John King Davis, Extra Master Lieut. Commander R.A.N.R.,

F.R.G.S. Chief Officer “Nimrod”, British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-9, Master “Aurora”, Australian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-14, Commander “Ross Sea” Relief Expedition, 1916.

Andrew Melrose, Ltd., London [1919].

First edition. As captain of the Aurora during Mawson’s 1911-14 expedition, Davis was able to produce one of the few first-hand accounts available in print. His publishers, however, clearly had wartime difficulties with the book, most often seen today with its gilt lettering and decoration badly faded.

Conrad p205; Spence 354.

ITEM 102. LASERON, Charles. South with Mawson.

Reminiscences of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914. By Charles Francis Laseron Assistant Biologist to the expedition. With seventeen illustrations from photographs.

George G. Harrap & Company Ltd., London 1947.

First edition. Only a few descriptions of Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1914 have ever been printed, though it ranks as one of the most dramatic and enduring explorations of the “heroic age”. Perhaps this is because it was overshadowed by the Scott/Amundsen contest or, with more effect, by the First World War. In any event, collectors today welcome even this account, issued 33 years later by a man officially described as a taxidermist on the expedition.

Conrad p206; Spence 683.

ITEM 103. [MAWSON, Sir Douglas]. Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1911-14

under the Leadership of Sir Douglas Mawson, D.Sc., F.R.S. Scientific Reports.

Comprising 95 parts bound in 91 fascicules, 4to (308 x 242 mm).

ITEM 104. SHACKLETON, Ernest. The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

For private circulation, London [1914].

A most elaborate prospectus for Shackleton’s projected exploits in the Antarctic using the ship Endurance, together with a letter soliciting funds for the cause. The projected cause was vastly over ambitious, with Shackleton expecting to cross the entire unknown Continent on foot; but he obviously felt he must exceed his rival Scott’s dying achievement. We know today that he did, but certainly not in the way he expected.

Conrad p224; Spence 1106.

ITEM 105. SHACKLETON, Ernest. South;

Shackleton's Souththe Story of Shackleton’s Last Expedition, 1914-1917: by Sir Ernest Shackleton C.V.O. Illustrated.

William Heinemann, London 1919.

First edition. This exploit, which has captured the modern imagination, certainly struck the world differently in 1919; in the aftermath of the First World War feats of extraordinary heroism were thick on the ground, and so Shackleton’s truly remarkable tale of survival at the extremes of human endurance largely fell flat. This is emphasized in the book’s production: the first issue contained cheap paper prone to severe browning, a poorly crafted binding likely to split at the joints with normal usage and silver printing on the binding subject to oxidizing. Only its dustwrapper, sporting Hurley’s superb photograph of the icy Endurance, saved it from complete ignominy. Most of the defects were corrected in subsequent issues, but the damage was already done for collectors of first appearances.

Conrad p224; Spence 1107.

ITEM 106. JOYCE, Ernest E. Mills. The South Polar Trail

by Ernest E. Mills Joyce (Albert Medal). The Log of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. With an introduction by Hugh Robert Mill, D.Sc., LL.D.

Duckworth, London 1929.

First edition. This copy of the book boasts a fitting association: a signed presentation from Joyce to Sir Charles Royds on the front endpaper, “in remembrance of many happy years together in the Great White Silence”. Joyce and Royds had served together in Scott’s Discovery; but the tale Joyce has to tell here is a gruesome one of failure and death in the Ross Sea area as part (the part which is almost unmentioned today) of Shackleton’s planned trek across the Continent, supposed to have been launched from the ill-fated Endurance.

Conrad p220; Spence 642.

ITEM 107. WORSLEY, Frank Arthur. Endurance, an Epic of Polar Adventure.

Jonathan Cape and Harrison Smith, New York 1931.

First US edition. Worsley is the unsung navigator who piloted the James Caird from Elephant Island to South Georgia in the most impossible of circumstances; his narrative of the entire harrowing escape from the clutches of the Antarctic makes compelling reading, which is no doubt aided by a modernist dustwrapper design on this first American edition.

Conrad p226; Spence 1278.

ITEM 108. WORSLEY, Commander F.A. Shackleton’s Boat Journey.

Hodder and Stoughton, London 1940.

A first-hand account of the miraculous voyage of the little James Caird across the South Atlantic in the middle of winter – taken largely from Worsley’s earlier publication on the Endurance adventure.

Conrad p226; Spence 1281.

ITEM 109. HURLEY, Frank. Shackleton’s Argonauts.

Shackleton's ArgonautsA Saga of Antarctic Ice-Packs. By Frank Hurley with photographs by the author.

Angus and Robertson, Sydney 1948.

First edition. Twenty-three years later, Hurley publishes another account of Shackleton’s ordeal with the Endurance, this time in Australia. Shackleton, of course, had died on his third expedition in 1922. What constraints continued to keep Hurley from publishing in England, where both his cinema and still photographs had been on display since 1918?

Conrad p219; Spence 616.

ITEM 110. WORDIE, J.M. Shackleton Antarctic Expedition, 1914-1917:

Geological Observations in the Weddell Sea Area. By J.M. Wordie, M.A., F.G.S. [With four plates and four figures in the text.]

Robert Grant & Son, Edinburgh 1921.

First edition. Given what befell Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, it is with some shock that one encounters this scientific report. Just how did Wordie, floating upon an ice raft without hope of rescue, have the presence of mind to conduct his researches? So it’s not surprising that Spence missed this title, or that the present copy comes from the extraordinary library of William Hobbs.

ITEM 111. BAGSHAWE, Thomas. Two Men in the Antarctic;

an Expedition to Graham Land, 1920-1922. By Thomas Wyatt Bagshawe with a foreword by Frank Debenham O.B.E., M.A. Professor of geography at the University of Cambridge, and Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge.

University Press, Cambridge 1939.

First edition. The grandly named British Imperial Antarctic Expedition of 1920-21 is one of Antarctica’s ironies; four principals embarked for the poorly equipped journey, but Bagshawe and his enemy Lester were left on their own in the Antarctic during a hazardous winter. Bagshawe being a geologist of sorts and a man to finish what he starts, this account holds its own in the annals of polar exploits.

Conrad p229; Spence 79.

ITEM 112. WILD, Frank. Shackleton’s Last Voyage;

the Story of the Quest. By Commander Frank Wild, C.B.E. From the official journal and private diary kept by Dr. A.H. Macklin. With a coloured frontispiece, numerous maps and over 100 illustrations from photographs.

Cassell and Company, Ltd, London 1923.

First edition. The lure of Antarctica was too strong for Shackleton to resist, so he started his fourth and final trip in the ill-suited Quest in 1921, with (as always) wildly ambitious objectives. However, when Shackleton died suddenly in South Georgia, Wild took charge of what remained, resulting in this handsome publication reproducing the last photographs of Shackleton to have been taken.

Conrad p232; Spence 1259.

ITEM 113. Shackleton-Rowett (Quest) Expedition, 1921-22 Report

on the Geological Collections Made during the Voyage of the “Quest” on the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition to the South Atlantic & Weddell Sea in 1921-1922.

By Order of the Trustees of The British Museum, London 1930.

First edition. Not surprisingly, this constitutes the bulk of published scientific results from Shackleton’s last expedition. Even without the “Boss”, the scientific output of his venture remained small.

ITEM 114. BYRD, Richard. Little America.

Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic. The Flight to the South Pole. By Richard Evelyn Byrd, Rear Admiral, U.S.N., Ret. With 74 illustrations and maps.

edition limited to 1000 numbered copies signed by author and publisher, this copy No. 23.

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York 1930.

Author’s Autograph edition (in the same year as the first edition). According to Spence, the true first edition (despite the wording of its title-page) of Byrd’s official narrative of his initial Antarctic expedition. For many it marks the end of the “heroic age” in Antarctic exploration and its replacement by the “mechanical age”: the use of the aeroplane, the aerial camera, the radio and the snowmobile were all brought to bear on Antarctica’s vastness. For Byrd, of course, it marks an age of personal fame, hence a “limitation”, never again matched, of 1,000 copies.

cf Conrad p253; Spence 227.

ITEM 115. GOULD, Laurence. Cold; .

the Record of an Antarctic Sledge Journey. By Laurence McKinley Gould Second in Command Byrd Antarctic Expedition. With 47 illustrations from photographs by the author, two maps and two colour reproductions of paintings by David Paige.

Brewer, Warren & Putnam, New York 1931.

First edition. With an appropriate title, this well-made book narrates episodes from the first of Byrd’s American expeditions. Gould, a professor of “economic geology” and the chief scientist with Byrd, had his fair share of hair- raising exploits in the Antarctic, but he spent a considerable amount of time quelling drunkenness amongst his party.

Conrad p253; Spence 517.

ITEM 116. O’BRIEN, John. By Dog Sled for Byrd.

1600 Miles across Antarctic Ice. By John S. O’Brien. Illustrations by Richard Rodgers and Ben Stahl.

Thomas S. Rockwell Company, Chicago 1931.

First edition. With a decorated dustwrapper designed by Richard Rogers and Ben Stahl, this is a boys’ book about the extensive geological sledging trip that formed a major part of Byrd’s first expedition. It was very popular, requiring a second printing just three months after being issued.

Conrad p255; Spence 870.

ITEM 117. ADAMS, Harry. Beyond the Barrier with Byrd.

An Authentic Story of the Byrd Antarctic Exploring Expedition. By Lieutenant Harry Adams U.S. Navy, Ret. Chief Officer and Navigator on the expedition. With an introduction by the editor.

M.A. Donohue & Company, Chicago 1932.

First edition. Serving as the second mate aboard the Eleanor Bolling, Adams wrote this detailed account of Byrd’s initial expedition, the first American experience on the Antarctic continent. Though an attractively produced volume, it remains the least popular of the seven accounts published by expedition members. Still, it went through several issues, and this one – slightly taller, with a cloth binding that is shaded more towards olive green – is the first.

Conrad p251; Spence 8.

ITEM 118. BYRD, Richard. Discovery.

The Story of the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition. By Richard Evelyn Byrd Rear Admiral, U.S.N., Ret. Introduction by Claude A. Swanson Secretary of the Navy. With illustrations and maps.

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York 1935.

Signed limited edition. Presumed to be the first issue (not in Spence), present here in its original slipcase. By contrast with earlier European explorations of the Antarctic, this second Byrd expedition can be said to have witnessed the triumph of the mechanical age in the southernmost continent: electricity provided to the base camp by motor-driven generators, power tools in use and the first expedition where long-distance automotive land transport proved to be of practical use. Scientifically, it was the first to make seismic investigations, the first to provide quantitative evidence concerning the floating of the Ross Ice Shelf and the first to broadcast the human voice from Antarctica.

cf Conrad p291; cf Spence 229.

ITEM 119. BYRD, Richard. Discovery.

The Story of the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition. By Richard Evelyn Byrd, Rear Admiral, U.S.N., Ret. Introduction by Claude A. Swanson, Secretary of the Navy. With illustrations and maps.

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York 1935.

First edition. This is the first trade issue in its artistic dustwrapper.

Conrad p291; Spence 229.

ITEM 120. BYRD, Richard. Alone.

Richard E. Byrd. Decorations by Richard E. Harrison.

Edition limited to 225 numbered copies signed by Byrd, this copy being No. 28; presentation copy with manuscript inscription “To Mr. Richard Wetherall / with best wishes / RE Byrd” on half-title.

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York 1938.

First edition, first issue. The true first issue, published as a very limited edition on rag paper and bound in full pin- seal leather. Signed by Byrd, as required, and also presented by Byrd in manuscript on the half-title. Although published in a more limited edition than any of his other books, this has become Byrd’s most important work – an intensely personal account of his isolation and near death through an Antarctic winter in a small hut at Latitude 80 08’ South.

Conrad p291; cf Spence 232.

ITEM 121. BYRD, Richard. Alone.

By Richard E. Byrd.

Putnam, London 1938.

First British edition. This version of the trade edition sports an entirely different, and quite striking, dustwrapper decoration.

Conrad p290; Spence 234.

ITEM 122. HILL, Joe & Ola. In Little America with Byrd.

Based upon Experiences of the Fifty-Six Men of the Second Antarctic Expedition by Joe Hill, Jr., of the Ice Party and Ola Davis Hill his Mother. With foreword by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, United States Navy Retired.

Ginn and Company, Boston 1937.

First edition. One of the few American publications of this period not known to have been issued with a dustwrapper, perhaps one of the few to have been partially written by an explorer’s mother as well. Be that as it may, Hill served as a mechanic and dog driver (quite a combination, given the constraints of earlier British ventures) during Byrd’s second Antarctic expedition of 1933-35.

Conrad p292; Spence 590.

ITEM 123. [The Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition]. ANNALS...

the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition – Botany.

  1. Ecology and Geographical Distribution … Paul A.
  2. Lichens and Lichen Parasites … Carroll Dodge and Gladys E. Baker.
  3. Mosses … Edwin B.
  4. Index.

Missouri Botanical Garden, Fulton, Missouri April, 1938.

Volume XXV, Number 2. Between Byrd’s first and second expedition to the Antarctic, Siple had graduated from a prize-winning Boy Scout to chief biologist; in the latter capacity he led a 77-day sledge journey of exploration across Marie Byrd Land.

ITEM 124. ELLSWORTH, Lincoln. The First Crossing of Antarctica.

Geographical Journal 1937.

Offprint. A special offprint of Ellsworth’s account of his “crossing the continent” in an aeroplane journey some 2,300 miles long, achieved despite many unintended landings and ultimately running out of gas.

Conrad p283; Spence 2208.

ITEM 125. CHRISTENSEN, Lars Min siste ekspedisjon til Antarktis,

1936-37, med en oversikt over forskningsarbeidene på ferdene 1927-1937. Foredrag i det Norske Geografiske Selskab 22 september 1937. [with] Recent reconnaissance flights in the Antarctic [and] The course of Antarctic exploration between longitudes 20°W. and 110°E.: Notes on the map compiled to accompany the paper by Mr. Lars Christensen.

A.W. Brøggers Boktrykkeri A/S, Oslo [and] The Geographical Journal 1937 & 1939.

The first title is a year earlier than Spence’s 293, printed by Broggers of Oslo; a rare first printing of an important series of first-hand accounts between 1927-1937. On his last expedition of 1936-37, Christensen managed to chart Queen Maud Land and to photograph the coastline between the West Ice Shelf, Wilhelm II Land, and Proclamation Island.

Conrad p306; Spence 293 & 2154.

ITEM 126. CHRISTENSEN, Lars. Ma dernière expédition aux regions Antarctiques

(1936-1937). Avec un aperçu des recherches faites au cours des expéditions entreprises de 1927 à 1937. Conférence faite à la Société Norvégienne de Géographie (Det Norske Geografiske Selskap) le 22 septembre 1937 par Lars Christensen.

Maison Johan Grundt Tanum, Oslo 1938.

First edition. First French version of the preceding item.

cf Conrad p273 & p275 (English language edition); Spence 294 (ibid).

ITEM 127. RITSCHER, Alfred. Deutsche Antarktische Expedition 1938/39

mit dem Flugzeugstützpunkt der Deutschen Lufthansa A.G.M.S. “Schwabenland”, Kapitän A. Kottas. Ausgeführt unter der Leitung von Kapitän A. Ritscher.

Koehler & Amelang, Leipzig 1942.

First edition. A chilling Nazi attempt to claim large areas of the Antarctic for the Reich, after dropping aluminium darts with swastikas from two aircraft over large portions of Queen Maud Land. Dedicated to Hermann Göring and printed in Leipzig at the height of Nazi success, the edition may well have been bombed into oblivion. Today, the original exploration provides important information about a little-known sector of the Continent.

Conrad p312.

ITEM 128. SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE. Special Antarctic Number.

October 1898 issue, Vol. XIV, No. 10.

Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Edinburgh October 1898.

Issued separately from the regular journal of the Society, this special number contains “A Plea for a British Antarctic Expedition” as well as the first detailed Antarctic bibliography and an important coloured, folding map of the Continent. Pioneer publications like this laid the groundwork for Scott’s Discovery expedition and the subsequent Scottish Antarctic Expedition.

Not in Spence, but cf. Nos. 2096, 2156, 2377 & 2474.

ITEM 129. BERNACCHI, Louis Saga of the “Discovery”

by L.C. Bernacchi, O.B.E. (Milt.) Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

Blackie & Son Limited, London 1938.

First edition. Here Bernacchi relates the various journeys into Polar Regions made by Scott’s ship, the Discovery. Though published at the close of the “heroic age”, the section describing Scott’s 1901-04 expedition is a first-hand account by Bernacchi, who served with Scott as a physicist.

Conrad p111; Spence 129.

ITEM 130. FALKLAND ISLANDS. Report...

of the Interdepartmental Committee on Research and Development in the Dependencies of the Falkland Islands. With appendices, maps, & presented to Parliament by command of His Majesty. April, 1920.

His Majesty’s Stationary Office, London 1920.

First edition. This publication contains reports and information from early whalers and sealers not found elsewhere, with specific references to South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and Graham Land on the Continent.

ITEM 131. GUNTHER, Eustace. Notes and Sketches

Made during Two Years on the “Discovery” Expedition, 1925-1927. By E.R. Gunther. Reprinted from the ‘Draconian’ for 1928.

Holywell Press, Oxford 1928.

Not another book about Scott, but about his ship on a later expedition, designed to study whales and their behaviour around South Georgia. With action photography and well-drawn sketches, this must be the finest Antarctic account to have first appeared in a school magazine.

Spence 544.

ITEM 132. WHITEHOUSE, John; Ernest SHACKLETON. A Visit to Nansen

[with] Adventure.

Oxford University Press, London 1928.

A slim volume which looks and feels like a press book, its importance to Antarctica resides in an article by Shackleton on “Adventure” and the spirit which moved him to explore, together with a photographic portrait of Britain’s heralded leader.

Spence 1255.

ITEM 133. ANTARCTIC PILOT. The Antarctic Pilot.

Comprising the Coasts of Antarctica and All Islands Southward of the Usual Route of Vessels.

Hydrographic Department, His Majesty’s Stationary Office, London 1930.

First edition. The text of this compendium from the Admiralty was first published in 1930, with supplements loosely added at intervals. Not until 1948 were the supplements incorporated into a second edition, by which time the “heroic age” of Antarctic exploration had closed.

Spence 42.

ITEM 134. BERNACCHI, Louis, Editor. The Polar Book.

Allom & Co. Ltd., London [1930].

First edition. Published in conjunction with the British Polar Exhibition of 1930, with contributions from some of Britain’s most noted Polar explorers.

Spence 125.

ITEM 135. JOERG, Wolfgang. Brief History of Polar Exploration

Since the Introduction of Flying. By W.L.G. Joerg, American Geographical Society. To accompany a physical map of the Arctic and a bathymetric map of the Antarctic.

American Geographical Society, New York 1930.

First edition. Spence fails to mention the two large folding coloured maps that accompany the publication, the map of the Antarctic being one of the best of its kind.

Spence 634.

ITEM 136. BAYLISS, E.P.; J.S. CUMPSTON. Handbook and Index...

to Accompany a Map of Antarctica Produced by the Department of the Interior 1939.

L.F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra 1939.

First edition. One of the best maps of the Antarctic in its day, concentrating upon the region claimed to be subject to Australian control. Today, however, more handbooks survive than maps.

Spence 99.

ITEM 137. BERNACCHI, Louis. A Very Gallant Gentleman.

By L.C. Bernacchi, O.B.E. (Milt.) Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

Thornton Butterworth, Ltd., London 1933.

First edition. This is a biography of Captain L.E.G. Oates, who died on Scott’s fateful return from the South Pole. The book became popular and went through a number of issues and editions; but the dustwrapper belonging to this first issue can be distinguished by the misspelling of the artist’s name on the front wrapper as J.C. Dolman.

Conrad p171; Spence 126.

ITEM 138. BYRD, Richard. Exploring with Byrd.

Episodes from an Adventurous Life. Compiled and revised by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd

U.S.N. (Ret.). Illustrated with photographs.

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York 1937.

First edition. An autobiographical account of Byrd’s earlier Arctic explorations and his first journey to the Antarctic; it brings more personal information to bear on the official narrative.

Spence 231.

ITEM 139. CHARCOT, Jean. Jean-Baptiste Charcot 1867-1936.

Edition limited to 900 copies.

Yacht Club de France, Paris 1937.

First edition. An important biographical work on Charcot and his two Antarctic expeditions, with much photographic material and original information not found elsewhere. Reproduced on the front wrapper is a marvellous medallic portrait of Charcot and his ship, the Pourquoi-Pas? – one of the most attractive medals of “heroic age” Antarctic explorers.

Spence 264.

ITEM 140. CHRISTENSEN, Lars. Such is the Antarctic.

Translated by E.M.G. Jayne.

Hodder and Stoughton, London 1935.

First English edition, second issue. A Norwegian whale-fleet owner deeply interested in exploring the Antarctic, Christensen personally directed three different Antarctic journeys between 1931 and 1934. There may be an issue point with this title, in that some copies are found with lettering in gilt on the spine.

Conrad p236; Spence 292.

ITEM 141. DAVIS, John. High Latitude.

Melbourne University Press 1962.

First edition. Experienced sea captains in Antarctic waters must have been in short supply, as Davis served on no less than five major Antarctic expeditions between 1907 and 1931. In fact, he was a skilled navigator, so this autobiographical account of his various exploits in Antarctica adds considerably to our literature of the “heroic age”.

Conrad p142; Spence 355.

ITEM 142. DOORLY, Gerald. The Voyages of the ‘Morning’.

By Captain Gerald S. Doorly, R.N.R. With illustrations and a map.

Smith Elder & Co., London 1916.

First edition. A relief ship used in Scott’s first trip to the Antarctic during 1901-1904, the Morning has taken on quite an aura for many collectors. Amongst other things, it carried an ill and angry Shackleton back home after his first year with Scott. And this particular title, written by a junior officer aboard ship, often excites book cataloguers to offer comments on its comparative rarity. Indeed, it must have been a rarity to find someone interested in reading the title in the midst of the First World War.

Conrad p112.

ITEM 143. GWYNN, Stephen. Captain Scott.

John Lane, The Bodley Head Ltd., London 1929.

First edition. In another example of a finely produced book, Gwynn has written the first solid biography of Britain’s erstwhile hero, supplying original correspondence and family information not previously available.

Spence 545.

First edition. With a dustwrapper as dramatic as Hurley’s tale (incorporating one of his most famous photographs of the Endurance), this attractive book relates the famous photographer’s exploits on both Mawson’s and Shackleton’s memorable expeditions. Aside from Shackleton’s own account of the Endurance’s travails, it constitutes one of the very few narratives to have been published. So why did it first appear in America, without any British edition to follow?

Conrad p205; Spence 615.

ITEM 145. MARKHAM, Albert. The Life of Sir Clements R. Markham

K.C.B., F.R.S. LL.D. Cambridge University; D.Sc. University of Leeds; Commendador of the Order of Christ of Portugal; Chevalier of the Order of the Rose of Brazil; Knight Commander of the Order of the Pole Star

First edition. Clements Markham was the driving force behind Scott’s selection as leader of Britain’s first official efforts on the Antarctic continent, and the prime mover in determining how those expeditions would be conducted. This first biography, written by an illustrious relative, is naturally laudatory, serving as an appropriate foil for Roland Huntford’s later denigration of Markham.

Spence 751.

ITEM 146. SEAVER, George. Edward Wilson; Nature-Lover.

John Murray, London 1937.

First edition. This is Seaver’s second attempt at capturing the most self-effacing and attractive personality associated with Scott’s expeditions.

Conrad p189; Spence 1082.

ITEM 147. SEAVER, George. ‘Birdie’ Bowers of the Antarctic.

By George Seaver. With an introduction by Apsley Cherry-Gerrard.

John Murray, London 1938.

First edition. As the spectre of Nazi Germany began to loom ominously over Europe, Seaver published a series of biographies about Scott and those who died with him on the march back from the Pole. Aside from emphasizing their own forms of “Englishness”, he takes care to stress the survival of their work and spirit.

Conrad p189; Spence 1083.

ITEM 148. SEAVER, George. Scott of the Antarctic;

a Study in Character.

John Murray, London 1940.

First edition. As Seaver naturally highlighted the “Englishness” of Scott’s character, this became a popular book that raced through many editions during the Second World War.

Conrad p189; Spence 1084.

ITEM 149. TAYLOR, Griffith. Antarctic Adventure and Research

by Griffith Taylor D.Sc.; B.E. (Sydney); B.A. (Cambridge) Professor of Geography at the University of Chicago. Illustrated.

  1. Appleton and Company, New York 1930.

First edition, first issue. Though the first to appear in an alphabetised list, this was the last of Taylor’s works on the physical science of the Antarctic, produced after he had moved to his teaching position in America. It is an excellent scientific bridge between the discoveries of the “heroic age” and the technical researches to be carried out for the rest of the Century.

Spence 1185.

ITEM 150. TURLEY, Charles. Roald Amundsen, Explorer.

Charles Turley, Roald AmundsenBy Charles Turley. With 4 illustrations and 2 maps.

Methuen & Co. Ltd., London 1935.

First edition. After a host of biographies of Scott had appeared, including one précis from this author some 20 years previously, an English speaking audience was finally given the opportunity to read of the life and exploits of the greatest polar adventurer.

Spence 1218.