TANIGUCHI, Zenya and Yoshimasa KIMURA (1913-1998). Hokuyo Nankyoku no Kaitaku-sha: Shirase Chui [in English: Pioneer of Northern Antarctica: Lieutenant Shirase]. Introduction by Ivar Hamre (see Ross 3.12). Tokyo: Daichi-sha, 1940.
Tall 8vo (222 x 152 mm). 2 foldout maps. Original pictorial tan wrappers with a map of the southern high latitudes wrapping around covers (spine sunned with light rubbing along joints, dust soiling to covers, small stain on upper cover near fore-edge, spotting to lower cover).
FIRST EDITION, LIMITED ISSUE, ONE OF ONLY 15 COPIES OF THE FIRST BIOGRAPHY OF NOBU SHIRASE detailing childhood, Army days, Chisima (Kuril Island) Expedition, the Japanese Antarctic Expedition and afterwards until 1940. The co-authors, Zenya Taniguchi and Yoshimasa Kimura, became acquainted with Shirase when they were students at Takushoku University. After graduating from the University in 1933, Shirase, Taniguchi and Kimura established the Nippon Polar Research Institute. Shirase became the institute’s first president while he, Taniguchi and Kimura remained colleagues and friends for life. Nobu Shirase died in September 1946 at the age of 85, and Zenya Taniguchi passed away in January 2011 at the age of 95.
PRESENTATION COPY, SIGNED BY BOTH AUTHORS WITH AN ADDITIONAL INSCRIPTION BY KIMURA to Sasa Yuro. This unique copy bears a hand-written notation stating the edition consisted of 15 copies and bears the first official hand-stamp of the Nippon Polar Institute.
THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST AND MOST SIGNIFICANT ITEMS IN THE COLLECTION AND THE ONLY KNOWN COPY IN EXISTENCE. When Chet Ross presented this copy to Zenya Taniguchi for his validation, he stated not having seen another copy since shortly after publication. Taniguchi graciously added his signature and stated not recalling ever signing a copy before. Ross 2.4.1 (“Very Rare”).