Museum buys rare polar book

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32462, 24 November 1970, Page 1

Museum buys rare polar book

One of the rarest books about Antarctica —only 100 copies were produced has been bought by the Canterbury Museum. It is “Aurora Australis,” which was set in type and printed at Cape Royds by members of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition of 1907-1909. ‘ Two copies of the book were offered at auction at Sotheby’s in London last week. The museum made a successful bid of £450. Dr R. S. Duff, director of the museum, said yesterday that Mr J. M. Caffin, assistant editor of the New Zealand Antarctic Society’s bulletin, “Antarctic,” had suggested that the book be acquired for the polar research

library in the national Antarctic centre which will be part of the museum’s new anniversary wing. - Dr Duff said that the museum was able to use $5OO from the R. G. Metcalfe bequest and $4OO from its purchase of collections fund. Mr Metcalfe, who died in 1965, was interested in the Antarctic, and New Zealand and Pacific history. He made a bequest to the museum of $lO,OOO, and the income from this had been used mainly for the purchase of historical publications. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) had approved of a grant, to be used if bidding for the book raised its price above what the museum was able to pay. There are two copies of “Aurora Australis” in the Alexander Turnbull Library, but it is not known whether there are any others in New Zealand. The copy bought by the museum was presented by

Shackleton to Mr Henry Nuttall, chairman of the council of the Manchester Geographical Society. The book is inscribed: “With kindest wishes from the editor, in remembrance of the practical help to our scientific results and the always sympathetic attitude towards the expedition. This book was made in the Antarctic. Ernest Shackleton, August, 1911.” “Aurora Australis” has been described as the first volume ever published in the Antarctic, although it was never actually offered for sale at a place of business there. Shackleton, who was editor of the "South Pplar Times,” produced on Scott’s first expedition in 1901-1904, decided that the expedition magazine should be both a pasttime and a memento of the expedition. When the Nimrod sailed from Lyttelton it carried a complete printing press. Two

members of the expedition, Frank Wild and Ernest Joyce, had been given some instruction in the art of printing and type-setting. Shackleton was editor-in-chief of "Aurora Australis” and George Marston, the expedition artist, was editor. Bernard Day, the motor engineer, was also associated in the production of the book. Wild and Joyce, instead of serving an apprenticeship of seven years, had to learn the art of printing and type-set-ting in three weeks and Marston had to do the same with the process of lithography. A candle had to be kept burning under the printing ink to keep it fluid. Originally Shackleton intended that “Aurora Australis” be sold when the expedition returned to England. Shackleton wanted to do the same, but with the expedition as publishers. However, although 100 copies were printed at Cape Royds

they were not sold. Some were presented to benefactors of the expedition, and each member received a copy. The title page of “Aurora Australis" says "Printed at the sign of ‘The Penguins’ by Joyce and Wild,” and “Published at the winter quarters of the British Antarctic Expedition, 1907, during the winter months of April, May, June, July, 1908.” All the copies of “Aurora Australis” were bound in board covers made from plywood packing cases, many with the legend “British Antarctic Expedition” clearly to be read inside. The back cover of one copy still bears the legend “40 x 11b choc.” This copy was also bought at Sotheby's. The purchaser was Mr P. J. Skellerup, of Christchurch, who bought it for his collection of polar literature. It was given by Shackleton to Miss Belle Donaldson, as a Christmas present in 1910.