A very scarce ephemeral guide for an exhibition showcasing objects brought back from Ernest Shackleton’s 1907-9 British Antarctic Expedition. Unmentioned in the brochure is the fact that the display was actually aboard the Nimrod, which was sailed up the Thames and on September 1st “reached East India Dock, where, under the direction of Joyce, she was prepared for an exhibition. Later in the month she was opened to the public at Temple Pier, and thousands paid to traipse through her and see sledges, tents, cooking equipment, polar clothes, stuffed seals and penguins and a vast array of other materials, including photographs” (Riffenburgh, 295). The exhibition was then toured to Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.
Following several illustrated advertisements, the guide begins with a brief overview of the expedition’s objectives and achievements, most notably the Furthest South record of 88°23“ set by Shackleton and his Southern Party on 9th January 1909. The items on display are listed including the sledging flags of six of the crew, mannequins outfitted in the Burberry and Jager clothing used by the Southern Party, and a copy of the Aurora Australis, the book printed and bound in Antarctica during the long winter months. Various zoological, biological and geological specimens were also on show, alongside a large number of photographs and a collection of George Marsdon’s watercolours which were available to purchase.
The text advised that “a member of the ship’s company will be in attendance during the Exhibition” (p.6), and a contemporary article announcing the opening adds that “Admission to the ship and exhibition […] will be under the charge of Mr. Joyce” (Morning Leader, p.3). This copy is signed by Ernest Joyce (1875-2940), zoologist and head of dogs on the expedition. As exhibition docent, it makes sense that he would have been asked to sign this handsome souvenir of the show. All the profits were donated to charities.
No copy found in OCLC. Furthermore this ephemeral publication has eluded many of the standard collectors and bibliographers of Antarctic material, with even Neil Silverman’s comprehensive September 2001 sale at Sotheby’s failing to feature a copy.
Taurus 62; not in Rosove; not in Spence. Riffenburgh, Beau. Nimrod. London, Bloomsbury, 2004; “South Pole Relics: Antarctic Expedition to be Opened on the Nimrod” in The Morning Leader, London, Wednesday 22 September 1909.
