[SIR ERNEST HENRY SHACKLETON (1874-1922)]

A love token from Shackleton to Emily, probably given on the eve of his departure on Discovery. He had met Emmie in 1897 and in 1899 as she wrote 'he told me he loved me -- I was deeply moved -- I remember so well -- because he put his cigarette on a ledge in the big oak chimney piece - & it burnt a deep dent ...'. The relationship came to something of a head with his departure on Discovery. Shackleton wrote to her father suggesting he would ask for his permission to marry Emily on his return, once he had made something of himself -- 'My future is all to make, but I intend making it quickly.' They would be married on 9 April 1904 at Christ Church, Westminster.