SHACKLETON, ERNEST. 1874-1922.

SHACKLETON, ERNEST. 1874-1922.
Aurora Australis. "Published at the winter quarters of the British Antarctic Expedition During the Winter Months of April, May, June, July, 1908 ... Printed at the sign of 'The Penguins'; by Joyce and Wild..." East Antarctica, 1908.
4to. 94 leaves. 11 lithograph illustrations by George Marston, all leaves with three punch holes, untrimmed. Original boards made from a packing crate, with stenciled letters "OATMEAL" inside upper board and "... ISH ANTARCT ... EDITION 190 ..." inside lower board, backed in leather from a horse harness, title and penguin motif blindstamped on spine, sewn with green binding cord. Some scuffs and staining to spine. Contained in leather-backed brown cloth clamshell case.

FIRST EDITION, THE FIRST BOOK PUBLISHED AND PRINTED IN ANTARCTICA during the Nimrod expedition of 1908-1909, while wintering in their hut. One of approximately 80 recorded copies. To keep his men occupied during the dark winter months in the Cape Royds hut, Shackleton asked for written stories, poems, or humorous short essays from his men. The best were to be published. Shackleton brought with him a small printing press, paper and type (donated by J. Causton & Sons Ltd). The printing and publishing was co-ordinated by Ernest Joyce and Frank Wild, both of whom had undertaken short printing courses prior to their departure. George Marston provided illustrations, and Bernard Day made the bindings from the crates used for provisions. The ink was heated by candles, and much of the printing was done when the other men were sleeping to minimize vibration. Shackleton wrote the introduction and preface to the text, and contributions were made by 10 other members of the crew. A total of 80 bound copies of Aurora Australis were brought back from Antarctica in 1909 (as mentioned in a letter from Shackleton to Pierpont Morgan, now in the Morgan Library, New York). Rosove 304.A1; Spence 1095; Taurus 60.