- 266
A COLLECTION OF 8 PHOTOGRAPHS FROM BRITISH "TERRA NOVA" EXPEDITION
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Eight photographs from Scott's final expedition.
8 silver prints (254 x 201mm., or the reverse), each with Paul Popper Photographic Agency printed label and stamp, one framed and glazed, slight creasing
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Paul Popper bought the rights to the iconic photographs of Scott's expedition to the South Pole, in 1935. Each image has Popper's label on verso confirming that these prints are "made direct from the original negative". The photographs are captioned thus: The five at the South Pole; Petty Officer Evans; Capt. Scott writing his diary; Capt. Scott's last birthday dinner; Lieut. Bowers; Capt. Oates; Dr Wilson; The "Terra Nova" at the ice foot.
Led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, the British Antarctic Expedition (1910-13) was one of the earliest and most important polar exploration missions. The expedition's photographer, Herbert Ponting, spent more than a year with Captain Scott and his men at Cape Evans and made over 1,700 glass plate negatives during the expedition. Bowers was trained by Ponting, and therefore took charge of photography during the trek to the South Pole. He captured the tragic image of Oates, Scott, Wilson, Evans and himself at the South Pole, crushed after finding out that Roald Amundsen beat them to it. "The most painful photograph.. One can easily cry over its significance. You can tell by looking at the expression on each man's face that they were defeated: all were suffering from malnutrition, scurvy and frostbite. The three in the back can barely stand. It must have required courage to take this photograph. Bowers pulled the cord with his right hand to take the picture. They did their best to pose with their sledge flags and Union Jack... If they had been the first to the Pole they would have had the strength to survive." (Herbert G. Ponting, The Great White South, New York, 1922).
Led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, the British Antarctic Expedition (1910-13) was one of the earliest and most important polar exploration missions. The expedition's photographer, Herbert Ponting, spent more than a year with Captain Scott and his men at Cape Evans and made over 1,700 glass plate negatives during the expedition. Bowers was trained by Ponting, and therefore took charge of photography during the trek to the South Pole. He captured the tragic image of Oates, Scott, Wilson, Evans and himself at the South Pole, crushed after finding out that Roald Amundsen beat them to it. "The most painful photograph.. One can easily cry over its significance. You can tell by looking at the expression on each man's face that they were defeated: all were suffering from malnutrition, scurvy and frostbite. The three in the back can barely stand. It must have required courage to take this photograph. Bowers pulled the cord with his right hand to take the picture. They did their best to pose with their sledge flags and Union Jack... If they had been the first to the Pole they would have had the strength to survive." (Herbert G. Ponting, The Great White South, New York, 1922).