Argonauts of the South (First Edition)

A written account of the Endurance Expedition, headed by Shackleton. Frank Hurley served as the official photographer of the expedition and is renowned for capturing some of the most memorable Antarctic photographs of the era. Hurley had a unique perspective on the events, and this book provides a first-hand account of the crew's incredible survival story after the Endurance was crushed by Antarctic ice.

The book combines Hurley's personal narrative of the expedition with many of his famous photographs from the journey. It offers his perspective on the day-to-day challenges the crew faced during long ordeal, from the initial trapping of the ship through their time camping on the ice floes, and finally their rescue.

Hurley was responsible for capturing the image of the Endurance trapped in ice, used on the cover of Shackleton's book South, and arguably the most famous image of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

The book was succeeded by a documentary of the same name which showcased more of Hurley's incredible work capturing the Expedition and the beauty of the Antarctic continent.

First edition. New York & London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1925. Large 8vo. Original green cloth hardcover. Pages: xv, 290. Photographic frontispiece, 74 photographic plates, folding map tipped in at pp.122-123.

Original green publisher's cloth. Lettered and ruled on cover and spine in gilt. Upper edge gilt, others uncut. Very Good. Minor wearing to spine edges and at corners. Some fading to gilt lettering on spine. Contents clean and bright and in very good condition. Photographic plates bright and contents clear.

Full title: Argonauts of the South: Being a Narrative of Voyagings and Polar Seas and Adventures in the Antarctic with Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Provenance: From the library of Warwick H. Williams.

Please note: This item is large and/or heavy. It may require additional postage costs to be paid. If so, we will contact you after purchase.

This book is currently not on display in store.

If you would like more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact: rarebooks@harryhartog.com.au