Antarctic Days. Sketches of the Homely Side of Polar Life by Two of Shackleton’s Men: Introduced by Sir Ernest Shackleton.

SHACKLETON, Ernest; James Murray and George Marston.

Item Number: 93565

London: Andrew Melrose, 1913.

Limited edition de luxe, numbered 205 of 280 copies signed on the recto of the limitation leaf by E.H. Shackleton, James Murray and George Marston. Octavo, original blue cloth, gilt titles to the spine and front panel with a mounted color illustration, top edge gilt, 4 mounted color plates after watercolors by C. Day, 34 photo illustrations on 28 plates. In near fine condition with a touch of rubbing. From the early exploration collection of  J.E. Wightman with his bookplate to the front pastedown. An exceptional example, most copies have been rebound. Introduced by Sir Ernest Shackleton.

"For the first time an unofficial, and therefore more human document, is presented to the public .. I would advise anyone who wants to get to the kernel of the life of a Polar explorer to read the book" (Ernest Shackleton). "Very scarce...a fine complement to the two giants of the Antarctic bibliography also emanating from Shackleton's 1907-09 expedition, Aurora Australis and The Heart of the Antarctic, and one of the most sought-after Antarctic titles" (Rosove). Written with a good deal of jocularity, it gives us a feeling for the personal side of Shackleton's Nimrod expedition. Taurus 61; Rosove 236.A1.