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Auction: 16027 - The Philatelic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 8

Antarctica
1910-13 British Antarctic Expedition by Robert F. Scott
A letter from James Robert "Jim" Dennistoun on Expedition crested stationery dated 'March 2nd 1912' , from the expedition ship "Terra Nova", to his Father. After opening with details of the rescue of Taylor's party, and failed attempts to rescue Campbell's Northern party (who were forced to camp in an ice cave until September), the letter details Scott's fateful last journey, "Scott can't be home till about 15th and it will be impossible to wait as long as that I am sure. He has the Pole safe in his pocket. Wilson Oates + Bowers +Seaman Evans all went on... They have full rations and are in good fettle." Dennisoun's information was provided by Edward 'Teddy' Evans', who had been forced to abandon Scott's party with scurvy: "Teddy Evans + two seamen returned from 150 miles of the pole... Poor teddy got very bad scurvy on the way back and its a perfect miracle he is safe on board. It was 100 to 1 against him". The letter closes with a general update on the difficulties of sailing in icy conditions. Dennisoun was in charge of the mules aboard the "Terra Nova" and later went on to become a fighter pilot in WWI. He died a P.O.W. after his F.E.2b was shot down in flames above the Somme. Small rust spot on first page and trivial yellowing. A poignant and fascinating historical record of early Polar exploration. Photo

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Sold for
£2,500