[Polar Exploration] Ziegler-Fiala Expedition

Fiala, Anthony. "Champ Island Franz Josef Archipelago Discovered and Surveyed Ziegler Polar Expedition 1903-4-5"

Pen and ink sketch signed in full and dated "June 13, 1905" in lower right  (approx. 21 1/2 x 9 in.; 535 x 228 mm).  Contemporary oak frame.

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Drawn in the polar wilds while awaiting rescue. The Zigler-Fiala Expedition was the second attempt funded by William Ziegler (President of the Royal Baking Powder Company) to win the race to the North Pole. While making it farher north than before, this team became stranded less than 6 months after their June, 1903 departure. They survived on the supplies and provisvions left behind from the previous attempt, but conditions were so treacherous that had to wait until August, 1905 before being rescued. Miraculously, all but one of the party survived.

Anthony Fiala was the expedition commander, official photographer and at least on the evidence here, an accomplished sketch artist, ably capturing the empty, yet immense landscapes in which he was stranded.