SIR ERNEST HENRY SHACKLETON (1874-1922)

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SIR ERNEST HENRY SHACKLETON (1874-1922)

Aurora Australis. [Antarctica]: published at the winter quarters of the British Antarctic Expedition, printed at the sign of 'The Penguins' by Joyce & Wilde, 1908. 4° (26 x 19.5cm). Lithographed title, 11 lithographed or etched plates by George Marston. (First two blanks torn at inner margins, the first detached.) Original sheep-backed packing-case boards, verso of upper cover with portion of stencilled title 'Oatmeal', uncut as issued (original spine present but damaged and somewhat crudely covered with protective paper).

Provenance: Thomas George shaughnessy, first baron shaughnessy of Montreal and Ashford, co. Limerick (1853-1923, presentation copy, inscribed in front blank by Shackleton: To Sir Thomas Shaughnessy with best wishes from the Editor E.H.Shackleton. June 1910).

Lot Essay

LIMITED TO 100 COPIES. A good example of one of the rarest polar works. Following Shackleton's experience on the Scott expedition of 1901-4, and particularly his involvement in editing the South Polar Times, he realised the importance of providing a polar expedition with sufficient tasks to occupy themselves over the dark winter months. To this end, when planning his own expedition to the South Pole (1907-9) he shipped a printing press, paper and necessary type and plate making equipment all donated by J.Causton & Sons Ltd.. Despite the cold and the cramped conditions of the hut at Cape Royds, around 100 copies were printed and bound in the Antarctic winter of 1908. The printers of the work, Frank Wild and Ernest Joyce, had both taken a quick course in printing before their departure from England, and despite their inexperience were soon setting out and printing two pages a day.

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