ERNEST EDWARD MILLS JOYCE (1875-1940)
Bible, in English. -- The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments.. International Edition. London, Glasgow and New York: [n.d.]. 24° (135 x 85mm). Coloured maps. (Somewhat browned.) Original limp morocco, g.e. (re-backed, later endpapers). Provenance: Ernest E. M. Joyce (presentation inscription to:); Clarence Ealam ("To Clarence from E.Joyce SS Discovery")
A fine memento of Scott's first voyage, probably given by Joyce to Clarence Ealam in New Zealand, after the Discovery's return to Lyttleton on April 1st 1904. This is apparently at odds with the second inscription at the back of the Bible "This Bible has been to the South with S/S. Discovery and was presented to Clarence Ealam by E.Joyce A.B. S/S Discovery 14/3/04". The relief ships Morning and Terra Nova arrived at McMurdo Sound on January 5th 1904, to find the Discovery still ice-bound. The ice did not break up until 14th February and they eventually set sail for Lyttelton, New Zealand, on February 19th. If the date '14/3/04' is correct then Ealom was on board the Discovery when he received the Bible from Joyce, however it is known from crew lists that he was not. The date must therefore be incorrect, a date of 14/4/04 is perhaps more likely.
[With:]
An envelope, addressed to 'Mr. Peter Ealam... Lyttleton New Zealand', with overprinted 1d. Victoria Land stamp, with Antarctic expedition cancellation stamp, dated 1.30p.m. Jan 18th 1913, a further cancellation stamp on verso: Lyttleton, 12 Feb 1913.
The Terra Nova arrived at Cape Evans on 18th January 1913, and on the return voyage to New Zealand, having called in at Oamaru on the 10th, docked in Lyttelton on 12 February 1913. Christie's would like to thank David Yelverton for his help in cataloguing this lot. (2)