This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2025
SHACKLETON, Ernest (1874-1922), BERNACCHI, Louis (1876-1942), SCOTT, Robert F. (1868-1912), et al. The South Polar Times. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1907-14. 4tos. 3 volumes. Profusely illustrated with chromolithographic and black-and-white plates by Edward Wilson and others of the expedition with several being some mounted, numerous photographs by Herbert Ponting, illustrations in text including caricatures and silhouettes of expedition members. Collation is complete as per Rosove 287.A1. Publisher's original navy blue ribbed cloth, titles bright gilt to spines and upper boards, inset coloured pictorial decoration to upper boards within gilt rope-twist borders, all edges bright gilt. A remarkably well-preserved set with only minor wear to extremities and beginning foxing to preliminary blank leaves with no repair or restoration, so common for this title. No prior ownership markings, no restoration, binding firm and secure. Volumes I and II limited to 250 copies, these both numbered 213, and Volume III limited to 350, this unique volume is unnumbered and penned “Presentation Copy". All volumes housed in modern full red cloth slipcases. All volumes in fine condition and complete. BEAUTIFUL FIRST EDITIONS THUS OF THIS RARE AND HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER SET. The South Polar Times was an exact reproduction of the original which appeared month by month during the winters of 1902 and 1903, edited by Sir Ernest Shackleton and Louis Bernacchi, with articles, stories, poems and drawings supplied by various members of the British National Antarctic Expedition of 1901-04, aka Robert Falcon Scott's "Discovery" expedition, and edited by Cherry-Garrard, with contributions from members of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1910-13. This is an excellent set of volumes of this important record of the human side of life and existence during the Heroic Era of south polar exploration. Very Scarce and a cornerstone of any Polar collection. Books on Ice 7.7; Spence 1094; Taurus 42 & 79; Rosove 287.A1 for Volumes 1 and 2; Rosove 291. A2b for Volume 3.