The Heart of the Antarctic by Ernest H Shackleton, First Edition (8 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Good. 1st Edition. Complete set, though mismatched as to publishers. Original cloth hard covers with titles and illustration blocked in silver. Top edges gilt. Volume I covers moderately worn, with old owner's name inside and inner hinges cracked but holding. Volume II covers worn and faded, and cracked here and there along spine edges. Tanning to edges and endpapers of both volumes. Otherwise still a neat set, with sound bindings. All plates present in each volume, as well as the folded panoramas and three map sheets in the rear pocket of Volume II. liv,366;xvi,419pp. Size: 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. Book.

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. . . . . First edition 8vo, hardcovers. pictorial blue cloth. Vg+ condition. Spine pictorial inset on Volume I rubbed. Covers and contents clean, unworn, no marking or writing. Bindings square and tight, with no separation at endpaper seams. Pocket map present, rear, Volume II. A very nice copy of this iconic title. Antarctica, Exploration, History,

First edition. Two volumes. Publisher's blue cloth with gilt lettering on the spine and silver lettering and illustration to the upper cover in rare printed dustwrapper. Top edges gilt. A fine set, with exceptionally bright gilt and clean cloth in very near fine dustwrappers, clean and crisp with just a trace of wear to the head of the spine. Photogravure frontispieces to each volume; twelve colour plates after paintings by George Marston, all with captioned tissue guards; four double-page photographic plates, 271 photographic illustrations on 195 plates; diagrams, maps, plans & graphs in the text, including nine full-page. Also three folding maps and one folding plate containing two panoramic views in end-pocket of vol. II. Shackleton's famous account of the Nimrod expedition, which he lead to the Antarctic in 1907-09. The expedition got within some hundred miles of the Pole, whereupon Shackleton gave the quest up famously claiming, "Better a live donkey than a dead lion.", but it established Shackleton as a "bona fide English hero" (Books on Ice). A measure of the regard in which Shackleton was held can be gathered from the quote attributed to Raymond Priestley, who accompanied Shackleton on this and future expeditions, "For scientific leadership, give me Scott; for swift and efficient travel, Amundsen; but when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems to be no way out, get on your knees and pray for Shackleton.".

First trade edition of Shackleton's thrilling account of one of the earliest attempts to reach the South Pole, "the best book of polar travel which has ever been written" (Manchester Guardian). Large octavo, two volumes in the publisher's original blue cloth with gilt-lettered spines and large silver pictorial blocks to the front panels, top edge gilt, photogravure frontispiece to each volume, illustrated with 12 captioned tissue-guarded coloured plates and over 200 black and white plates, folding plate and 3 folding maps in rear pocket of Vol. II, numerous in-text illustrations and diagrams throughout, errata slip tipped into vol. II. ÂWith 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. Near fine in the rare original dust jackets with some professional restoration mainly to the spines. A very nice example of this desirable highspot in Antarctic literature. Ernest Shackleton here tells the quite remarkable story of the British Antarctic expedition of 1907 to 1909. Shackleton and his men made it to within 97 miles of the South Pole, experiencing along the way every hardship possible, then returning to their wooden ship before the ice crushed it. "A more interesting book of polar exploration . . . has yet to be written" (New York Times Book Review).

Hardcover (Original Cloth). Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. First Edition. 1st Edition, 2 Volumes; Vol I, xlviii, 372 pages, illustrated, 112 pages of plates (6 in colour) plus 111 diagrams in text; Vol II, xvi, errata slip, 419 pages, 102 pages of plates (6 in colour), 38 diagrams in text; 1 folding page depicting 2 panoramas, 3 folding maps in rear pocket. Original covers. Very minor shelf wear, previous owners ink signature on front end paper both volumes otherwise contents clean. All illustrations and maps as called for, maps and panorama still in very good condition. A really nice set. The story of Shackleton's attempt to reach the Pole using ponies for the first time instead of dogs. After only 39 days the last pony died and the sledges had to be pulled by hand. On the 9th January they reached the farthest point, 88' 23'S and only just succeeded in returning alive. Shackleton first gained fame as a member of Scott's 1901-2 expedition, and in August 1907 he left London as commander of his own expedition, popularly known as the "Nimrod" Expedition and renowned "for having reached within 97 miles of the South Pole (almost four years before Amundsen and Scott achieved the Pole itself) This expedition established Shackleton as a bona-fide English hero," having discovered the Polar Plateau and accomplishing the first attainment of the Magnetic South Pole, as well as the first ascent of Mt. Erebus, fully outdistancing his predecessors to a degree unequalled in the history of polar exploration. ( Books on Ice 7.4) On Shackleton's return to England, he was knighted by Edward VII, who considered the expedition "The greatest geographical event of his reign" (Huntford, 298). Shackleton would later recall the expedition as "high adventure, strenuous days, lonely nights, unique experiences, and above all, records of unflinching determination, supreme loyalty, and the generous self-sacrifice on the part of my men" ( South ). Rosove. "The Heart of the Antarctic" is an account of the Nimrod Expedition (19071909), one of the earliest attempts to reach the South Pole. Published in 1909, the book details the challenges faced by Shackleton and his team in Antarctica. It covers their scientific pursuits, sledging journeys, and ultimately, their attempt to reach the pole. Although they fell short of the pole, Shackleton's leadership and the expedition's achievements marked a significant contribution to polar exploration. The book is a testament to the courage and resilience of the men who faced extreme conditions in their quest for discovery. Collation similar to the Deluxe Edition (which currently is valued around £25,000 to £30,000) with the addition of the errata slip in Volume 2., both editions were produced from the same typeset. This is the first Trade edition of the book. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 5 kilogram. Category: Arctic & Antarctic; Exploration. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 1068. This book is extra heavy, and may involve extra shipping charges to some countries.

First edition, first printing. Two volumes. Publisher's original blue cloth with titles and illustration in silver to the upper board and titles in gilt to the spine, in original dustwrappers. Top edges gilt, the others untrimmed. Illustrated with a photogravure frontispiece to each volume; 12 colour plates after paintings by George Marston, all with captioned tissue guards; four double-page photographic plates, 271 photographic illustrations on 195 plates; diagrams, maps, plans and graphs in the text, including nine full-page. Also three folding maps and one folding plate containing two panoramic views in end-pocket of vol. II. A near fine set, the bindings square, firm and bright with a hint of fading to the very tips of the spine and board edges. The contents, with a touch of tanning to the endpapers, are otherwise remarkably clean and fresh throughout and remain free from inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very near fine dustwrappers which have some minor wear to the extremities, volume one with a small nick to the foot of the spine panel. A superb unsophisticated set, rare thus. The first trade edition of Shackleton's account of the 'Nimrod' expedition, which he led to the Antarctic in 1907-9. The expedition set a record for the farthest southward reach, making it to the magnetic pole. It also undertook the first ascent of Mount Erebus, discovered the Beardmore Glacier passage (named after Shackleton's patron), and was the first to cross the Trans-Antarctic mountain range, as well as to set foot on the South Polar Plateau. Owing to a lack of rations, the expedition did not ultimately make it to the pole itself, although did come within 100 nautical miles; as Shackleton famously later remarked to his wife: "Better a live donkey than a dead lion". It would be three more years before Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first to actually reach the South Pole, followed shortly by Scott's ill-fated Terra Nova expedition. Following the Nimrod expedition, Shackleton returned to Britain a hero, and was knighted for reaching the furthest south of any person to date. An indication of the esteem in which he was held by both colleagues and the public alike is demonstrated by the assertion of Raymond Priestly, the Nimrod expedition's geologist: "For scientific leadership, give me Scott, for swift and efficient travel, Amundsen. But when you are in a hopeless situation, when you are seeing no way out, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton". An outstanding set of one of the greatest literary embodiments of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. (Rosove 305.B1; Taurus 58; Howgego IV, S20). Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.

First edition, three-volume deluxe issue, The Heart of the Antarctic number 280 of 300 numbered copies and The Antarctic Book one of 300 unnumbered copies signed by the shore party and Aeneas Mackintosh, who was invalided out early in the expedition. The Antarctic Book is in the corrected state without the mistaken reference to "Aurora Australis" and no signature "d" on page 26. This deluxe issue is "one of the most handsome productions in the Antarctic canon" (Rosove). The Heart of the Antarctic is Shackleton's account of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1907-9 (Nimrod). The sledge expedition "to the south magnetic pole was one of the three foremost achievements of this expedition. The other two achievements were, first, the ascent and survey of Mount Erebus (12,448 feet), the active volcano on Ross Island and, second, the southern sledge journey, which reached within 100 miles of the south pole" (ODNB). In September 1908, David, MacKay, and Mawson set out for the magnetic pole. The group was weighed down by two sledges, carrying heavy equipment and provisions, that were man-hauled in relay. Both David and Mawson fell into a crevasse on the journey out and only narrowly escaped death. They reached the magnetic pole in January 1909, calculating their position as 72°25'11"S / 155°16'59"E. David, Mawson, Marshall, Mackay, Adams, and Brocklehurst made a gruelling ascent of Mount Erebus, Antarctica's second highest volcano, in March 1908. The group was inadequately provisioned and equipped but nevertheless successfully made it to the rim of the crater, from where Mawson measured the depth and Marshall determined the altitude. The excursion had been badly organized and resulted in damaged equipment "but it boosted the morale [and] taught some valuable lessons" (Howgego). In October 1908, Shackleton, Adams, Marshall, and Wild set out on their trek to the pole with four pony-drawn sledges. They passed Scott's farthest south in November, which was celebrated with two tablespoons of curaçao for each member. Weather conditions quickly worsened and in January 1909, to Shackleton's great dismay, the party had to return. They had reached 88°23'S, a new record and only about 100 miles from the south pole. During the return journey, the men were emaciated, and Marshall had grown very ill with dysentery. Shackleton and Wild left Marshall and Adams and set out to Hut Point for help. They returned a week later, and in early March all of the expedition members were back on the Nimrod for the return voyage to England. It is remarkable that all the members of the party survived the ordeal, their survival attributed to Shackleton's exceptional leadership qualities. The British Antarctic Expedition undoubtedly established Shackleton as "a bona-fide English hero" (Books on Ice). Provenance: Dr Gerhard H. Bauer (1912-1976) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, president of the Washtenaw County Medical Society, with loosely inserted ephemera related to his purchase of the books, including three letters from the librarian at the Scott Polar Research Institute, customs declaration, and complimentary slip (dated 4 December 1968 to 3 March 1969). The letters are all from Harry Godfrey Rudolf King (1921-2013), selling the books on behalf of a lady with "close ties with this Institute". Books on Ice 7.4; Howgego IV S20; Rosove 305.A1 & A2; Spence 1096; Taurus 57. 3 vols, quarto. HOA: 2 tipped-in photogravure frontispieces, 12 tipped-in colour plates after paintings by George Marston, all with captioned tissue guards, 200 half-tone photographic plates (4 double-page), 3 folding maps and folding plate in end pocket of vol. II, diagrams, maps, plans and graphs in text; titles in brown and black. AB: 4 mounted colour portraits from crayon drawings and 6 original etchings by George Marston. The Heart of the Antarctic: original vellum, smooth spines lettered in gilt, front boards blocked in gilt with the twin penguin device, top edges gilt, others uncut, broad brown silk bookmarkers. The Antarctic Book: vellum-backed grey paper boards, smooth spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, others uncut. HOA: some natural grey discolouration of vellum, shallow scratches, Vol. I splayed, scattered foxing and soiling (edges of text block a touch dust soiled in places), a few plates slightly yellowed. AB: some marks or slight scratches to the covers, corners and edges of boards with minor loss of paper, endpapers browned, scattered foxing and offsetting, dark circular shadow on verso of pl. 6 from paper sometime removed. A very good set.

First trade edition, first impression, with the scarce dust jackets remarkably well-preserved. Shackleton's account of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1907-9 (Nimrod) was reviewed on publication by the Manchester Guardian as "the best book of polar travel which has ever been written". The sledge expedition to the south magnetic pole "was one of the three foremost achievements of this expedition. The other two achievements were, first, the ascent and survey of Mount Erebus (12,448 feet), the active volcano on Ross Island and, second, the southern sledge journey, which reached within 100 miles of the south pole" (ODNB). In September 1908 David, MacKay, and Mawson set out for the magnetic pole. The group was weighed down by two sledges carrying heavy equipment and provisions that were man-hauled in relay. Both David and Mawson fell into a crevasse on the journey out and only narrowly escaped death. They reached the magnetic pole in January 1909, calculating their position as 72° 25'S / 155°16'E. David, Mawson, Marshall, Mackay, Adams, and Brocklehurst made a gruelling ascent of Mount Erebus, Antarctica's second highest volcano, in March 1908. The group was inadequately provisioned and equipped but nevertheless successfully made it to the rim of the crater, from where Mawson measured the depth and Marshall determined the altitude. The excursion had been badly organized and resulted in damaged equipment "but it boosted the morale [and] taught some valuable lessons" (Howgego). In October 1908, Shackleton, Adams, Marshall, and Wild set out on their trek to the pole with four pony-drawn sledges. They passed Scott's farthest south in November, which was celebrated with two tablespoons of Curaçao for each member. Weather conditions quickly worsened and in January 1909, to Shackleton's great dismay, the party had to return. They had reached 88° 23'S, 162 East, a new record and only 100 miles from the south pole. During the return journey, the men became emaciated from lack of food and Marshall had grown very ill with dysentery. Shackleton and Wild left Marshall and Adams and set out to Hut Point for help. They returned a week later, and in early March all of the expedition members were back on the Nimrod for the return voyage to England. It is remarkable that all the members of the party survived the ordeal, their survival attributed to Shackleton's exceptional leadership qualities. The British Antarctic Expedition undoubtedly established Shackleton as "a bona-fide English hero" (Books on Ice). Sir Raymond Priestley (1886-1974), a British Geologist and Antarctic explorer who accompanied Shackleton on the 1907-1913 Antarctic expeditions, said, "For scientific leadership, give me Scott; for swift and efficient travel, Amundsen; but when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems to be no way out, get on your knees and pray for Shackleton". Rosove 305.B1. Books on Ice 7.4; Howgego IV, S20; Taurus 58. The Manchester Guardian, 17 November 1909. 2 vols, large octavo. With photogravure frontispiece in each vol., 12 colour plates and over 200 plates, folding plate and 3 folding maps in end pocket of vol. II, illustrations and diagrams in the text; errata slip tipped into vol. II. Original blue cloth, gilt lettered spines, front covers lettered and with large pictorial block in silver, top edges gilt, others untrimmed. With dust jackets (possibly supplied). Bindings slightly scuffed, corners and spine ends lightly frayed, spine and boards of vol. I cockled (front inner hinge starting but firm), endpapers toned, scattered foxing; jackets without prices as issued, jacket of vol. I with tissue repair to verso, minor chips and tears to extremities. A very good copy in near-fine jackets.