Shackleton E H Bernacchi L C Apsley (1 results)

4 volumes, including the previously unpublished fourth volume. First Editions of each of the facsimile volumes, first edition of the fourth volume, One of only 350 sets produced and published. Complete with all maps including folding, many coloured and black and white plates and photographs, many tipped on, and numerous illustrations and decorations throughout the text. Folio, publisher s original dark blue cloth, upper covers lettered in gilt and decorated pictorially with scenes from the journey surrounded by gilt tooled decorative borders, the spines lettered in gilt. xiv, (1), [2]-Nos.I-V (April 1902-August 1902); pp.vii, (4), -Nos. VI-Viii (April 1903-August 1903); pp. xv, [1], 160 (April - October 1911; pp. xii, [2], 227 (Midwinter Day 1912) pp. A pristine set, as mint. RARE AND IMPORTANT FIRST EDITION OF THIS VERY LIMITED FACSIMILE EDITION OF THE FIRST THREE VOLUMES AND THE FIRST PUBLISHED EDITION OF VOLUME IV. A MASTERWORK AND CORNERSTONE IN THE ANTARCTIC OEUVRE. In this scarce and highly important work, the first two volumes reproduce exactly, in an unedited manner, the typescript journal prepared and produced by the members of the Discovery expedition; Volume III, issued seven years after the first two volumes in 1914, is the reproduction of the typescript (in blue print) of the journal kept by the members of the Terra Nova expedition. Vol. IV, edited by Apsley Cherry-Garrard" is published here for the first time. The South Polar Times" was produced by the members of these two expeditions for their own entertainment. From the South Polar Times" Prospectus: "During the Antarctic winter of 1912 and 1903, the officers of the National Antarctic Expedition on board the Discovery, among other diversions wherewith to lighten the long and dreary darkness, brought out at monthly intervals a periodical to which they gave the name of The South Polar Times. In this they followed the example of the great national expeditions of past generations to the other end of the Earth; but it is no exaggeration to say that The South Polar Times, in literary quality, in variety, and especially in its artistic features, has never been equaled in similar conditions. It was edited in the first year by Lieutenant Ernest Shackleton, and in the second year by Mr. Bernacchi, and ws contributed to not only by Captain Scott and the officers and scientific staff, but also by the men. The contents of The South Polar Times range over a wide field, grave and gay, scientific and humorous, prose and poetry. It contains a diary of the events of each month, a record of the proceedings of the local Debating Society, a monthly acrostic, humorous notes, besides articles of a more solid nature, as well as stories, sketches of various kinds, and poems of a standard considerably above the average. But perhaps the most striking feature about The South Polar TImes is the numerous artistic productions disseminated throughout the volumes, both in colour and in black and white. The coloured sketches by Dr. Wilson, of the animal life in this remote part of the Antarctic region, in artistic quality and in faithfulness to Nature would be difficult to surpass. The coloured sketches of penguin life in the text are of exquisite delicacy, while many of the black and white sketches are masterpieces in their way, not only in drawing but often in humour. Another strking feature is the silhouettes of different members of the staff, while the coloured caricatures of the officers and scientific members of the Expedition, by the youngest on board, would do credit to the artists of "Vanity Fair". But no amount of description could convey anything like an adequate idea of the many features which characterise this unique production. The eight volumes cover something like 400 quarto pages, scarcely one of which is without its illustration, coloured or uncoloured, in the text or as a separate plate, illustrating life on board, portraits, caricatures, interiors, scenery, animal life, plant life, instruments, flags, coats of arms, sledging, sport, ad many other things. The South Polar Times is beautifully type-written on one side of the page." It is especially difficult to find the complete 4-volume set in such fine condition as all four of the volumes are in exceptionally bright and pristine condition both internally and externally. The owner of these volumes will possess an exact reproduction of the original "South Polar Times" which appeared month by month during the winters of 1902-3, produced as they were for the sole edification of our small company of explorers in the Discovery, then held fast in the Antarctic Ice." Thus begins Captain Scott's preface to the three volumes of short stories, essays, caricatures, and drawings edited by Shackleton, which became a major diversion for the men on board the Discovery during the long sunless winter from 23rd April until 21st August. Spence, 1094.