Books

Auckland: SeTo Publishing, 1988. Hardcover. Auckland, SeTo Publishing, 1988 (facsimile edition)/ 1908. Quarto, [xiv, 173] pages (including numerous caption leaves and blanks) plus a colour title page and 10 full-page plates (one tipped in) after etchings and lithographs by George Marston. Cord-bound quarter leather and varnished plywood boards; spine lettered and decorated in blind; first and last leaves a little discoloured (from contact with the leather); a near-fine copy with the cord-bound plywood presentation box with leather titling-pieces on the lid, as issued. A faithful facsimile reprint of the first book published - written, edited, illustrated, printed and bound - in the Antarctic, during Sir Ernest Shackleton's British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-1909; less than 100 copies were originally produced. This facsimile edition is prepared from the 'Julienne Soup' copy in the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand; this is number 83 of 375 copies. Loosely inserted in…

Aurora Australis was the first book written, printed, illustrated, and bound in the Antarctic during the British Antarctic Expedition of 1907–1909 led by Ernest Shackleton. Printed at the winter quarters of the expedition in 1908 on a small printing press which Shackleton had brought with him, the book was limited to approximately 100 copies. It is a collection of essays, poetry, and illustrations created to give the men of the expedition a creative outlet during the long winter months.