Captain Scott's Metal Matchbox
細節
Robert Falcon Scott (1868-1912)
Captain Scott's Metal Matchbox
worn and used, containing three safety pins wrapped in tissue
Captain Scott's Metal Matchbox
worn and used, containing three safety pins wrapped in tissue
來源
Robert Falcon Scott (1868-1912); by descent.
'Matches! There's a problem, how to keep the matches dry. Our matches were in metal boxes, rather cold to handle but supposed to be more or less air-tight. That however is little help, because the matches inside are at the temperature of the air outside the tent. Inside the tent it's a little warmer and humid with one's breath. Consequently the moment the match-box is opened all the matches have a film of moisture condensed on them which at once turns to ice. This happens more quickly still if you happen to breathe on the box.' (F. Debenham, In the Antarctic, Stories of Scott's Last Expedition, London, 1952, p.38.) The safety pins were pinned to outer garments and used as blubber prickers or forks (see T. Griffith Taylor, With Scott: The Silver Lining, Norwich, 1997, p.176 for his sketch 'Forks for blubber 5.3.11'.) and see the portrait of Scott in sledging outfit (illustrated right) with three safety pins in his coat.
'Matches! There's a problem, how to keep the matches dry. Our matches were in metal boxes, rather cold to handle but supposed to be more or less air-tight. That however is little help, because the matches inside are at the temperature of the air outside the tent. Inside the tent it's a little warmer and humid with one's breath. Consequently the moment the match-box is opened all the matches have a film of moisture condensed on them which at once turns to ice. This happens more quickly still if you happen to breathe on the box.' (F. Debenham, In the Antarctic, Stories of Scott's Last Expedition, London, 1952, p.38.) The safety pins were pinned to outer garments and used as blubber prickers or forks (see T. Griffith Taylor, With Scott: The Silver Lining, Norwich, 1997, p.176 for his sketch 'Forks for blubber 5.3.11'.) and see the portrait of Scott in sledging outfit (illustrated right) with three safety pins in his coat.