First book printed in the Antarctic

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34119, 3 April 1976, Page 11

First book printed in the Antarctic

A copy of “Aurora Australis,” a rare and valuable book, is owned by the Canterbury Museum's P. J. Skellerup Antarctic Library.

This is the first book actually printed. illustrated and bound in Antarctica It was created during the dark winter months of 1908 by the men of Shackleton's Nimrod Antarctic expedition and provided an interest for the men concerned with its difficult production. inspiration for its literary contributors and relaxation for its readers.

Joseph Causton and •Sons, Ltd, provided the expedition with a complete printing and lithographic outfit, including the paper. They also in-

structed Ernest Joyce and Frank Wild in the art of type setting and printing and George Marston, the expedition s artist in the finer details of etching and lithography. A printing apprenticeship usually takes seven years, so with only three weeks instruction these three men could hardly be called skilled, yet they gained sufficient working knowledge to produce 100 reasonable copies of "Aurora Australis."

The early days were beset with many problems but within a few weeks these amateurs were able to print two pages in a day. A lamp was needed under the type rack to keep it warm, and in

order to keep the ink at a flowing consistency a candle was placed under

the inking plate. Only trial and error taught the aspiring printers the correct pressure on the printing plate and the even inking of each page. The printing office was only 6ft by 7ft and also had to accommodate a large sewing machine and a set of bunks. Bernard Day prepared the binding by cleaning, planing and polishing wood from packing cases used for storing the expedition’s provisions. Marston reproduced the illustrations by “algraphy” or printing from aluminium plates. He had to do as best he could with an ordinary etching press. Furthermore. he was hampered by traces of salt in the water which reacted to the very sensitive plates. In spite of working in

cramped quarters, a lack of technical skills, and extremely cold temperatures these three men produced a work of creditable quality.

Just as creditable are the contents, beginning with an impressive factual account of the first ascent of Mount Erebus, Antarctica's active volcano.

There is a delightful interview with an Emperor penguin, apparently of Scottish breeding — the “game keeper” of Antarctica.

“Noo then, you twa,” he cried, "what the deevil are ye daein' here? Ye Ken vara weel this is private property. Let me see what ye ae in your pockets . . . Wha-at, gatherin' stones, are ye? Ye’re surely no nestin' tae?” "An Ancient Manu-

script” is a saga of the expedition’s early days of preparations. “First he did choose one who was skilled in the arts of reading signs and portents in the clouds, and in the atars, and of steering his wayon land, or on the waters by means of a wondrous piece of metal marked with divers figures.”

The final number is a fantasy journey to Bathybia, an undulating plain 30,000 ft below sea level.

The whole book is generously illustrated with delightful etchings. This gem of a book proves that the men responsible for the production of “Aurora Australis” were not only ingenious and resolute, but also endowed with literary and artistic skills.