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SWAN, R.A. Forgotten Antarctic Venture: The First Japanese South Polar Expedition 1911-1912 [in: Walkabout magazine, Vol. 21 No. 8, pp. 31-33, 1 August 1955]. Melbourne: Australian National Travel Association, 1955.
4to (305 x 241 mm). 2 photographic illustrations in the text. Original pictorial wrappers (dampstaining near spine, creasing on rear wrapper).
An informative article about Nobu Shirase and the Japanese Antarctic Expedition, by Robert A. Swan, the leading expert on Australia’s involvement in Antarctic exploration and science at the time this piece was published. The article includes two of the most important letters written by Shirase: one to Captain Robert F. Scott, commander of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1910 running contemporaneously with the Japanese Antarctic Expedition, notifying him of his intention to explore certain areas of Antarctica. The other letter is written to T. W. Edgeworth David, professor of geology at Sydney University and shore party member during Ernest H. Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition of 1907, thanking David for his invaluable assistance during the expedition’s layover in Australia. David’s encouraging and sympathetic efforts were instrumental in causing the Australians to support Shirase and his men during their stay. The Australian’s hold Lt. Nobu Shirase in very high esteem. Ross 3.18 (“Scarce”).