Antarctic, Arctic, Polar

The Worst Journey in the World 1910-1912 – Aspley Cherry-Garrard

A very good copy of the Polar classic here republished by the Folio Society, in 2012.

Quarto, 591 pages, illustrated throughout and with end paper maps. Protected by its original slipcase. Decorative boards etc. Weighty at 1.6kg so extra postage may be required.

Possibly the greatest heroic account of all time.

AC-G was only 24 when he participated in the Scott Terra Nova Expedition (1910-1913). He was knocked back twice by Scott until Edward Wilson persuaded Scott to take him as assistant zoologist. AC-G, Birdie Bowers and Wilson set off to Cape Crozier to get a fertilised Emperor Penguin’s egg. It was tough … on the way out they could only pull one of their two sleds at a time which meant they had to double back to fetch them individually (hence walking three times as far!). They arrived in a Blizzard and lost their tent before later recovering it. The journey back was maybe worse. AC-G shattered his teeth from shivering uncontrollably. George Bernard Shaw suggested the title for the book. AC-G knew T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) and suggested that both their writings were an essential form of therapy.

One of the better Folio Society renditions

$160.00

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Frank Hurley Biography – From Snowdrift to Shellfire – David Millar

First edition published by David Ell Press, Sydney in 1984. Limited to quite a few 2,500 copies. Quarto, 160 pages, full of images from Hurley photographs as one would expect, maps etc. A very good if not fine copy.

A truly readable and enjoyable biography, deserves more praise than it gets.

Captain James Francis (Frank) Hurley (1885-1962) was a brave man. His Antarctic exploits are legendary – the photograph of “meteorologists braving the blizzard” representing the harsh reality of Antarctic life. His achievements during the bleakest days of the “South” expedition. Later, the BANZARE expeditions.

World War I and Flanders and Palestine where the photographic record is a reminder of the sacrifice and successes of war to maintain freedom for others.

Our favourite though goes to his images in Papua New Guinea – an exploit conceived in the coldest darkest days of polar life – how extreme.

Hurley best all round biography with striking images.

$40.00

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Antarctic Lantern Slide – Scott’s Southern Party about to Depart – 2nd November 1902 – Newton & Co

An original magic lantern slide of an important moment during Scott’s “Discovery” Expedition, by Newton & Co, London

The British National Antarctic Expedition also known as the “Discovery” Expedition, after their boat was carried out 1901-1904.

Scott chose the popular Shackleton and his trusted buddy Wilson to form, with him, the three-man party to push as far south as possible. It was not an attempt at the South Pole. They mostly achieved their goal reaching 82 degrees south, further than the previous Borchgrevink achievement.

The adventure did not run smoothly. They took many dogs with them and lost 22 from tainted food and other difficulties. Shackleton broke down and became a burden [something Shackleton later watered down – the recording of his difficulties in both Scott and Wilson’s diaries was the start probably of ill-founded views that Scott took a dislike to Shackleton, partly because of the latter’s popularity among the men]. On return to camp Scott had Shackleton sent away on the support ship “Morning” to recover.

Newton & Co can be traced back to 1704 – started by a J. Newton who was related to the big man himself Isaac Newton who was not knighted until the following year 1705.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8 cm by 8 cm.

A period memento of a key moment in Polar exploration.

$140.00

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In the Great White Land [Polar Regions] – Gordan Stables

Published by Blackie, London in the early 1930’s.

Octavo, 288 pages thick spongy paper and despite the spongy quite clean with minor marks to the extreme page edge. Coloured frontispiece and three full page illustrations. Prize label on front end papers. Rare in the striking illustrated dust jacket.

Three stories and despite the subtitle starts with … “Far Away in the Frozen North” an Arctic adventure on the good barque Walrus and the oft frozen Captain Mayne Brace (great pun). Story two “Under the Southern Cross” requires no clue as to the general location with many icy encounters. Finally “On the Great Antarctic Continent” and the beauty and marvel of the Ice-Cave. The sledging journey across the tableland and the dash for the pole takes its lead from the great Heroic Era accounts.

Adventure in the frozen South – very South.

$60.00

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Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – November 2008 – Vol 142

Large scale softcover, perfect bound 98 pages. Quality production. Nice photographic images etc. Published by the Society.

Two Antarctic vignettes by H.J.G Dartnall, only two pages each but intriguing. First, about John Forbes, known as Mawson’s sailmaker. The second, more intriguing is about Tasman Spalding from Dunalley,. Tasmania, a 23 year old who served on the Terra Nova relief voyage. He was entitled to the Polar Medal but did not receive it possibly because his name got transposed and hence proved difficult to find at the time of handing out.

Other interesting articles include aspects geology at Heard Island; a new freshwater sponge discovered at Lake Peder; the diet of the Tasmanian Devil.

Terrific illustrations from scientific work – sections, micro photographs etc.

Royal Society Tasmania – superb work

$25.00

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Faeroe Islands – The Atlantic Islands – a Study of the Faeroe Life and Scene – Kenneth Williamson – First Edition 1948

First Edition published by Collins, London in 1948. Octavo, 360 pages, with the elusive dust jacket albeit foxed. Book a bit aged but excuse it for its now rarity.

The author, Williamson, was staged on the Faeroe Islands during WWII and this book is based on the seemingly ample spare time he had whilst there.

Forward by the distinguished Eric Linklater.

Illustrated with the authors pen drawings and from original photographs.

Good chapter on the whale hunting festival “Grindarakstur’ which will interest those that are interested. Excellent on the natural history, terrain, outer islands etc with a super Glossary of Faeroese Words and index of place names for those challenged by modern devices!

The Faeroes more than just a trivia quiz subject.

$70.00

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The Worst Journey in the World 1910-1912 – Aspley Cherry-Garrard

Frank Hurley Biography – From Snowdrift to Shellfire – David Millar

Antarctic Lantern Slide – Scott’s Southern Party about to Depart – 2nd November 1902 – Newton & Co

In the Great White Land [Polar Regions] – Gordan Stables

Papers of the Royal Society of Tasmania – November 2008 – Vol 142

Faeroe Islands – The Atlantic Islands – a Study of the Faeroe Life and Scene – Kenneth Williamson – First Edition 1948

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