Shackleton, Ernest

FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY SHACKLETON: "To Joseph Causton with kind regards from the 1st year's Printer and Editor", LIMITED EDITION (see footnote), 4 volumes, 4to (275 x 205mm.), half-titles, frontispieces, numerous maps, coloured and plain illustrations, full-page and in the text, photographs, original blue ribbed pictorial cloth gilt, gilt edges, coloured illustration mounted on each front cover, minor scattered staining and spotting, leaves detached from gutta percha binding, bindings very lightly rubbed

Rosove 287, 291; Spence 1094; Taurus Collection 42, 79

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

AN IMPORTANT PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY SHACKLETON TO THE PRINTER JOSEPH CAUSTON, who provided training, the complete printing outfit and the necessary paper for the production of the "Aurora Australis".   

A facsimile of original issues of the South Polar Times printed in the Antarctic.

This lot includes a facsimile of the fourth volume produced during the winter of 1912 in Scott's hut in Cape Evans. The introduction reads: "The main aim of this work is to publish for the very first time the fourth volume of the South Polar Times. A secondary aim is for it to act to an extent as a companion to volumes I, II, and III, (published in London in 1907, and in 1914 on the return of the Discovery in 1904, and the Terra Nova in 1913.)"

Scott gave the following remark in a description of the originals: "Once or twice lately we have discussed the possibility of these volumes being interesting to a larger public, though there was no such idea in anyone's mind at the start... On the one hand, we have some reading matter and many delightful sketches that would be appreciated all; on the other, it has to be remembered that the humour and many of the references are local and would convey little or nothing to the uniformed reader, however much they may appeal to us "who are in the know."" (Rosove).

Volumes 1 and 2 are limited to 250 copies (this being number 165, printed in 1907); volume 3 is number 87 of a limited edition of 350 copies, printed in 1914; volume 4 is number 87 of a limited edition of 500 copies, printed in 2010.