Shackleton and others | The South Polar Times. London, 1907 and 1914, 3 volumes, vol. 1 inscribed by Scott to his mother

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton, Louis C. Bernacchi, and Apsley George Benet Cherry-Garrard (editors)

The South Polar Times. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1907 and 1914

3 VOLUMES, LIMITED EDITIONS, VOLUMES 1 AND 2 PRESENTED BY CAPTAIN ROBERT FALCON SCOTT TO HIS MOTHER (see provenance), 4to (275 x 210mm.), titles in red and black (volumes 1-2), text and title in ochre and blue (volume 3), plates and illustrations (some chromolithographed), after Herbert Ponting, Edward Wilson, and others, original blue cloth, spines gilt-lettered, upper covers with gilt lettering and rope-work surrounding inset pictorial cloth panels, gilt edges, each volume housed in modern cloth box, occasional light spotting to preliminary leaves, some leaves detached as usual, occasional light discolouration to cloth 

A VERY FINE SET OF THE SOUTH POLAR TIMES WITH AN IMPORTANT PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION BY CAPTAIN SCOTT IN VOLUME 1 TO HIS MOTHER. Volumes 1 and 2 are from the limited edition of 250 copies printed in 1907 these both being copy number 3. Volume 3 is from the limited edition of 350 copies printed in 1914 this being copy number 59.

Captain Scott gave the following remark in a description of the publications: "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). 

LITERATURE:

Conrad, p. 111, 121, and 173; Rosove 287.A1 and A2a; Spence 1094; Taurus 42 and 49

PROVENANCE:

volumes 1 and 2: Presented by Captain Robert Falcon Scott to his mother Hannah Scott, inscribed on the half-title of volume 1 "To my dearest mother | with best love | Robert Scott | Oct. 1907".

volume 3: partially erased inscription, dated December 1916; Col. A.S. Turnham, presentation inscription to the Cavalry Club; Cavalry Club bookplate

This set of 3 volumes: Christie's London, 23 September 2004, lot 176