SHACKLETON'S HEROIC
EXPEDITION
SHACKLETON,
ERNEST H.
The Heart of the Antarctic
"Men go out into the void
spaces of the world for various reasons. Some are actuated simply by a
love of adventure, some have the keen thirst for scientific knowledge,
and others again are drawn from the trodden paths by the 'lure of little
voices,' the mysterious fascination of the unknown. I think that in my
own case it was a combination of these factors that determined me to try
my fortune once again in the frozen south..."
FIRST EDITION, trade issue, of
Shackleton's account one of the most celebrated Antarctic expeditions,
complete with 2 frontispieces and 12 color plates, 194 plates, diagrams
on letterpress, 3 maps and 2 panoramas (on one sheet) in pocket at
end of vol.II.
“In January 1908 [Shackleton]
returned to Antarctica as leader of the British Antarctic (Nimrod)
Expedition (1907–09). The expedition, prevented by ice from reaching the
intended base site in Edward VII Peninsula , wintered on Ross Island ,
McMurdo Sound. A sledging party, led by Shackleton, reached within 97
miles (156 km) of the South Pole, and another, under T.W. Edgeworth
David, reached the area of the South Magnetic Pole. Victoria Land
Plateau was claimed for the British crown.On his return Shackleton was
knighted and was made a companion of the Royal Victorian Order” (Britannica).
"Shackleton had made a
tremendous advance towards the south and had shown his powers of
leadership. He had taken risks, but his decisions turned out to be
right. His men called it Shackleton's luck (he called it Providence),
and he could claim to have borne out the family motto Fortitudine
vincimus (By endurance, we conquer)" (DNB).
London , William Heinemann,
1909. With An Introduction By Hugh Robert Mill, D. Sc. An Account Of
The First Journey To The South Magnetic Pole By Professor T.W. Edgeworth
David F.R.S. Octavo, original decorated blue cloth, top edges gilt. Two
volumes. Vol I: Bookplate; small newspaper clipping on front pastedown;
early owner signature on front free endpaper; remnant of staple to
dedication leaf, rear endpaper and last leaf (photo); minor foxing to
text edges; internally very clean. Vol 2: Front cover very slightly
faded, slight bubbling to cloth; bookplate; staple and early annotations
to rear endpaper; internally very clean. $1500.
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