Scott's Last Expedition ; In Two volumes | Vol. I Being The Journals of Captain Scott, R.N., C.V.O. | Vol. II Being The Reports of the Journeys & The Scientific Work Undertaken by Dr. E.A. Wilson and the Surviving Members of the Expedition | Arranged by Leonard Huxley | With Preface by Sir Clement R. Markham, K.C.B, F.R.S.

New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1913. First American Edition, 1st Printing. Very Good. [November], 8vo [9.5x6.75in]; Vol. I [2] xxiv, 443 pp., folding map, sepia portrait frontispiece, 6 photogravure plates, 10 colored plates, 2 folding plates, 101 plates of 133 photographs, 2 facsimile extracts from Scott's diary and 7 sketches in text [photogravure and colored plates from sketches and painting by E.O. Wilson, photographs by Herbert Ponting], Vol. II xiv, [1], 376 pp.[4], folding map, sepia portrait frontispiece, 8 colored plates, 3 double page plates, 72 plates of 104 photographs, 7 folding maps and 8 sketches in text, tissue guard in front of each frontispiece; Dark green blue cloth covers, gilt lettering and rule on spine, top edge gilt with other edges cut; Vol. I & II minor shelf wear, spines lightly faded, bookplate of Ernest John Knapton on front end papers, Vol. I front hinge loose and cracked at title page with bookseller stamp on bottom of front free end paper. [Rosove 290A1b, Spence 1058, Howgego S13]. Robert Falcon Scott (1868-1912) was one of the most famous British Royal Navy explorers that led two expeditions to the Antarctic. This Terra Nova 1910 to 1912 expedition was noted for Scott's ill-fated polar journey and the scientific findings relating to embryology, geography and discovery of fossils. Scott's polar journey from Cape Evans, in McMurdo Sound, was a major effort in laying supply depots and "racing" to be the first at the South Pole. The Norwegian, Roald Amundsen, was also attempting to reach the South Pole from the other side of the Ross ice shelf at the Bay of Whales. Amundsen, traveled faster with dogs and skis and arrived at the South Pole in December 1911 and left a tent and note for Scott. Scott's party arrive a month later, on January 17, 1912, to be bitterly disappointed to find Amundsen was there first.

Scott changed plans on the final push to the South Pole and added Edgar Evans to original 4 man team. While this addition provided extra support it also reduced rations for the journey. Being later in the season, Scott's team ran into severe blizzard conditions that slowed there travel and consumed supplies. Also, Evans and Oates were ill died on the journey. It is presumed, from the records that Scott, Wilson and Bowers died in late March 1912. The tent was found in November 1912 and, after retrieving journals and science samples, they were buried on the Ross Ice shelf.

In the return to England in spring 1913, Scott's death was an international story and he was recognized in heroic awe. This is a classic tale and one of the foundation books to any polar collection.

Ernest John Knapton (1902-1989) was a historian and professor at prestigious eastern American universities and a recognized scholar of Napoleonic studies. (Inventory #: 12978)