SCOTT, Robert Falcon, Captain (1868-1912). National Antarctic Expedition 1901-1904. Scientific Reports. London: for the British Museum [Part I]; The Royal Society [Part II-V], 1907-1913.
5 parts in 12 volumes, including the portfolio, large 4to (217 x 133 mm). Comprising: Part I: “Natural History.” Vol. I, Geology; Vol. II-VI, Zoology and Botany. 6 volumes. 3 folding charts (some in rear pockets), 7 folding photographic panoramas, 50 color plates (some tinted lithographs), numerous photographic plates and in-text illustrations. Part II: “Album of Photographs and Sketches,” “Portfolio of Panoramic Views.” 2 volumes. 2 folding maps, 18 photogravure plates, 13 folding panoramas, 6 meteorological sketches by Wilson, 7 color sketches of the Aurora by Wilson, numerous photographic plates and panoramic sketches by Wilson (some in portfolio). Part III: “Physical Observations.” 2 color-printed maps (1 double-page), 7 color plates of the Aurora by Wilson, 14 photographic plates (1 folding), numerous figures & diagrams. Part IV: “Meteorology.” 6 maps (one folding, 5 printed in color), 5 color-printed plates, 6 plates from sketches by Wilson, 4 photographic plates, and numerous in-text illustrations. Tables in Part II. Part V: “Magnetic Observations.” Frontispiece map, numerous illustrations and graphs in the text. Uniformly bound in publisher’s original buckram-backed cloth (spines a bit sunned, “Albums of Photographs” volume rebacked preserving original spine, a few volumes with minor stains). Provenance: Geological Society of London (in some volumes, stamps throughout, “library regulations” label on pastedowns), the GSL is the oldest national geological society in the world and the largest in Europe; Captain Richard Campbell (bookplates); presentation slips from the trustees of The British Museum (in a few volumes).
FIRST EDITION, A COMPLETE SET OF THE SCIENTIFIC RESULTS OF THE FIRST SCOTT EXPEDITION, including the first aerial view of the Antarctic, and the first report of a nesting colony of Emperor penguins. “All are handsome works and fitting testimony to the extraordinarily broad and thorough scientific investigations conducted by the expedition scientists and authorities back home…[the album of Photographs is among the] MOST GLORIOUS AND POPULAR WORK AMONG THE REPORTS OF THE DISCOVERY EXPEDITION” (Rosove). Rosove 288.1-11.A1; Spence 837, 840, 839, 841, 838.