Lot 130
130
The photographs in the following three lots together comprise the complete record compiled by Herbert Ponting of his still images documenting Capt. Scott's Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1912. Each is numbered by Ponting in order to correspond with his lists of titles which acted as a guide to the negatives as well as these prints. The relevant title list is included for sale with each album. The prints assembled include those images which have since become, through publication and exhibition, among the most famous British photographs of the 20th century. The whole series includes variants of better-known images as well as subjects which have rarely, if ever been shown. Among these are portraits and details which reveal something of the hardship experienced by the team even before the final assault on the Pole. In the lists Ponting has occasionally given details of lenses used and information regarding lighting. He includes several self-portraits documenting the darkroom and the lengths to which he was prepared to go in order to achieve such remarkable pictures. The albums have very plain covers and it would seem likely that they were compiled for reference rather than for presentation. It is thought likely that the prints would have been made after Ponting's return and probably after the war during the 1920s. They were acquired by the present owner from Ponting's son in 1935.
Herbert Ponting

Details
Herbert Ponting

Scott Expedition, December 8, 1910 - May 28, 1911, printed circa 1920s

Album of 300 gelatin silver prints, two red-toned, each approx. 4½ x 6½ in. or the reverse, mounted three or four per page, numbered in sequence in Ponting's hand, occasional annotations in a later hand, brown cloth (worn), typescript label Book 1 on spine, oblong large 4to.; with corresponding typescript list of titles and dates, twelve pp. with additional title page, in buff card covers, the front cover inscribed in ink in Ponting's hand No 1 Portfolio, Numbers 1 to 286. List of 7" x 5" Negatives Scott Expedition from Mr. H. G. Ponting., small 4to. (2)
Further details
See illustration

Lot Essay

Studies of the Terra Nova including views from the forecastle as she enters the pack for the first time, the first occasion on which the ship becomes trapped in the ice; the ice pack and bergs including the grotto berg and caves; views of Mt. Erebus and Mt. Terror; studies of the Skua gulls; Capt. Oates with the ponies; "Getting the ill-fated motor-sledge off the ship"; the building of the hut; cloud and sky effects; Shackleton's hut; interiors including Ponting at work in the darkroom, the stable, the "lab", the cubicles, the blubber stove; portraits including Lieut. Evans drawing; stacking the ship's stores to go in the hut and other photographs displaying the range of products used including Colman's cornflour, Wolsey underwear, Mandelberg windproofs, Fry's chocolate and Huntley & Palmer's biscuits.

More from Cameras, Photographs & Optical Toys

View All
View All