David Spilman Fine Books

The Great White South; Being an Account of Experiences with Captain Scott's South Pole Expedition and of the Nature Life of the Antarctic [Introduction by Lady Scott]

Ponting, Herbert G.

New York: Robert M. McBride and Company, 1922. Near Fine. First American Edition. 8vo [9.5x6.5in]; [2], xxvi, 306 pp., [2], frontispiece image of Terra Nova ice-bound, 97 plates, some with bluish tint, of 173 images, 2 illustrations, facsimile image of diary and 1 map in text; Dark Blue cloth covers with gilt lettering and decorative seal on front an d spine, blind stamped border on front, top edge trimmed and others untrimmed; Minor shelf wear to edges and corners, back hinge and small dent to lower front edge professionally repaired, bookseller stamp on lower front end paper. [Rosove 251.A3, Conrad p.183]. Item #11297

Herbert G. Ponting (1870-1935) was a professional war and nature photographer before Scott selected him to be part of Scott's lastexpedition, the Terra Nova Expedition 1910 to 1913. From Rosove, "Ponting was the first professional photographer to accompany an Antarctic expedition.... Ponting dragged as much as two hundred pounds of equipment on his sledge .... Ponting's photographic are was more than sufficient contribution, but his narrative The Great White South, liberally illustrated with his photographs, also proved to be one of the most popular expedition accounts, ..." Ponting's narrative of life on the ship and expedition and the personalities of the members is a significant literary addition to the many books about the expedition.

From Conrad, this book provides "... a full account of Ponting's activities (including his propensity for directing awkward, cold and dramatic poses his mates called "ponting") ...". The book includes an important chapter on the Pole Party from his second hand account after returning on the Terra Nova after the first winter.

Price: $500.00