Books

the Story of Shackleton's last Expedition 1914-1917. First edition, first impression. Large folding coloured map & numerous illustrations. Tall 8vo. Fine, bright original pictorial blue cloth, blocked in silver, slightly rubbed with one corner worn through, slight bowing to back board. Loss to the ffeps where a taped down cover has been removed. Internally browned, as usual, with a little foxing and discoloration to some plates. Ownership inscription and ex libris to ffep. Signed leaf from an autograph book loosely inserted. With the errata slip. xxii, 376pp. London, William Heinemann, A desirable copy, with Shackleton's signature loosely inserted. The signed leaf is dated "Colston Hall, Dec 11/19", taken at a lecture given by Shackleton in Bristol. The expedition returned two years prior in 1917, but the then state of war saw the captain immediately deployed to the Russian arctic front. His lecture tour, and the publication of this book, commenced after the war's end. The most inspiring voyage of the Heroic period of Antarctic exploration, Shackleton's party had hoped to cross the continent via the South Pole. They ran into problems from the outset which culminated in their being trapped and then crushed in the ice. Not only did the party endure months in the ice, but also an open boat voyage to safety. Shackleton's incredible leadership ensured the crew survived. Due to paper shortages at the end of the First World War, the first impression was printed on inferior paper stock which invariably brown with age. A second impression on better paper was produced the following month. Rosove 308. A1; Spence, 1107.