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Lot Essay
The original provenance of the present flag was unknown at the time of the Scott Relics sale at Christie's in 1999. The polar historian David Yelverton subsequently traced it to the gift from Nares and the members of the Arctic Expedition of 1875-76, presented to Scott by Nares on the day Discovery sailed from London. A letter from Nares to Scott dated 29 July 1901 detailing the gift is in the Scott Polar Research Institute (Ms366/15/71), 'Dear Captain Scott I am commissioned by the members of the Arctic Exp. of 1875-76 to request you will accept from them, for use during your Antarctic cruizes in the "Discovery", the accompanying Union-Jack; with their hearty wishes for a successful voyage and a safe return Home from what must necessarily prove an eventful National undertaking in which many hardships will have to be encountered. Yours very sincerely G.S. Nares'.
According to Yelverton, the flag was 'flown at Hut Point on Ross Island, the expedition's Antarctic base in 78°49S, on 8th November 1902, the day when the King's Birthday (on the 9th, a Sunday that year) was celebrated, the flag was photographed that day by the Chief Steward, Reginald Ford (see overleaf). In 1910, the flag accompanied Captain Scott on his second expedition in the Terra Nova, and can be seen behind him in the photo by Herbert Ponting of the 1911 Midwinter Day Dinner at Cape Evans.' (see overleaf)
Wilson painted the flag flying on the King's birthday and his vignette (see overleaf) is illustrated on p.34 of Volume II of the South Polar Times (April-August 1903), under 'Principal Monthly Events since last issue of the SPT', 11 September 1902-11 April 1903, the vignette captioned 'FLAG PRESENTED BY ADMIRAL SIR GEORGE NARES AND OFFICERS OF THE ALERT AND DISCOVERY'.
One of three Union Jacks carried by Scott to the Antarctic, the other two were presented to Scott by Queen Alexandra, the smaller of which was left flying at the South Pole, the larger found at the Pole Party's last camp, now hangs in the ballroom at Sandringham House.
According to Yelverton, the flag was 'flown at Hut Point on Ross Island, the expedition's Antarctic base in 78°49S, on 8th November 1902, the day when the King's Birthday (on the 9th, a Sunday that year) was celebrated, the flag was photographed that day by the Chief Steward, Reginald Ford (see overleaf). In 1910, the flag accompanied Captain Scott on his second expedition in the Terra Nova, and can be seen behind him in the photo by Herbert Ponting of the 1911 Midwinter Day Dinner at Cape Evans.' (see overleaf)
Wilson painted the flag flying on the King's birthday and his vignette (see overleaf) is illustrated on p.34 of Volume II of the South Polar Times (April-August 1903), under 'Principal Monthly Events since last issue of the SPT', 11 September 1902-11 April 1903, the vignette captioned 'FLAG PRESENTED BY ADMIRAL SIR GEORGE NARES AND OFFICERS OF THE ALERT AND DISCOVERY'.
One of three Union Jacks carried by Scott to the Antarctic, the other two were presented to Scott by Queen Alexandra, the smaller of which was left flying at the South Pole, the larger found at the Pole Party's last camp, now hangs in the ballroom at Sandringham House.