Two Years in the Antarctic (First Edition)

Albert Borlase Armitage was the second-in-command and navigator on Scott’s Discovery Expedition of 1901-1904. This account provides an insider perspective on the challenges, discoveries, and the daily life during the expedition. Particularly, this account provides detail on many important sledging expeditions headed by Armitage, as well as great insights into the process of surveying and mapping during the expedition. 

For various reasons, and to Scott’s initial annoyance, this publication appeared shortly before Scott’s own official account, The Voyage of the Discovery, though Armitage had intended the reverse. However, only one printing of the book was made, and Armitage’s narrative is one of the more uncommon Antarctic titles.

First edition. London: Edward Arnold, 1905. Large 8vo. Original green cloth hardcover. Pages: xix, 313, fold-out map, 16 pages of advertisements. Many Photographic plates, illustrations, and diagrams throughout.

Cover stamped in white and gilt. Titling on front cover in white 'icy' decorative font. Lettering on spine in gilt. Illustration on cover in black. Text block edges uncut. Very Good. Minor wearing to spine edges and at corners. Binding separating slightly between some text block signatures. Mark from previously removed bookplate on FBEP. Mild toning across endpapers. Contents have some foxing throughout (heavier at preliminaries and towards rear). Minor creasing to the edges of pages here and there. Photographic plates clear and bright. Fold-out map has small tear at gutter join, stabilised with archival tape.

Full title: Two Years in the Antarctic: being a Narrative of the British National Antarctic Expedition.

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