NOT SOLD. Scott of the Antarctic: Robert Falcon Scott: The voyage of the Discovery. 2 vols. London 1905. 1st ed. Presentation copy. (2)

866/186

Robert Falcon Scott (b. 1868, d. 1912)

Robert Falcon Scott: The voyage of the Discovery. 2 vols. London: Smith Elder 1905. 1st ed. 8vo. Inscribed by the author on half title to “Lady Baxter - With best wishes from the author and thanks for assistance. Robt. Scott.”). Sheet with repair. With 260 full-page and smaller illustrations by Dr. E.A. Wilson and other members of the expedition, 2 photogravure frontispieces, 12 coloured plates, panoramas and maps, 2 maps folding and in rear cover pockets. Both in publisher’s blue cloth with top edges gilt. Bindings with wear due to age and use. Vol. I with spot on upper part of spine. (2)

An important presentation copy of Scott's account of his National Antarctic Expedition of 1901–1904. Only 1000 copies of the first edition were reportedly issued.

Robert Falcon Scott was a naval officer and explorer, who died attempting to be the first to reach the South Pole. He served on a number of Royal Navy ships in the 1880s and 1890s and attracted the notice of the Royal Geographical Society, which appointed him to command the National Antarctic Expedition of 1901–1904. The expedition reached further south than anyone before them, and Scott returned to Britain a national hero.

When Scott some years later set off on his second journey to explore the Antarctic - the British Antarctic Expedition 1910 - he could not have predicted it would be his last. He died on the return from the South Pole two years later.

Provenance: Private collection, Denmark.

Condition

Condition report on request.

Auction

Paintings, drawings & books, 20 September 2016