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Auction: 347 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 80

"Although Mill parted at Madeira from Captain Scott and his companions on the National Antarctic Expedition ship Discovery in 1901 and had to return to Britain, it is certain that on his magic carpet Mill accompanied every Antarctic expedition since.
No one was ever so completely steeped in everything Antarctic, and he kept up close contact with all who had been South."
W. C. Souter, a veteran of the Terra Nova, in the Obituary of Mill

The historically important Honors and Awards bestowed upon H. R. Mill, F.R.S.E., an important figure during the 'Golden Age' of exploration - he was a well-known character and confidant to the greats of the field - indeed he was the author of "The Life of Shackleton."

Royal Geographical Society, Victoria Medal, gold with glazed lunettes (Hugh Robert Mill, D. Sc., LL. D., 1915.), housed in its Wyon, 2 Langham Chambers, London case of issue
Royal Meteorological Society, Symons Medal, bronze (Hugh Robert Mill, F.R.S.E. 1918.), in its John Pinches, London case of issue
Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Gold Medal, 47 mm. and 43.18 grams, the reverse engraved 'Presented to Hugh Robert Mill, D.Sc., L.L.D., for his long continued Geographical Work of High Order, 1923.', in its Alexander Kirkwood & Son, Edinburgh case of issue, the lid embossed with the R.S.G.S. logo
American Geographical Society, Callum Medal, the obverse embossed 'Hugh Robert Mill 1929', the edge stamped 'COPY'
Royal Meteorological Society, Hugh Robert Mill Medal, bronze (1st Award Presented to Hugh Robert Mill. D.Sc., L.L.D. 1950.), in its John Pinches case of issue
Royal Society of Edinburgh, Brisbane Medal, the reverse engraved 'Hugh Robert Mill', in its Alexander Kirkwood & Son, Edinburgh case of issue, edge stamped "copy"
Franco-British Exhibition 1908, Medal (Hugh Robert Mill), in its case of issue
Holborn Restaurant Medal, silver, the reverse engraved 'To H. R. Mill, Esq, May 1st 1896', in its James Crighton & Co, Edinburgh case of issue
Sweden, Kingdom, Medal of the Order of the Vasa, by Carlman, Stockholm, silver, in its case of issue
Sold together with a group of mounted Edinburgh University Prize Medals (2 bronze, 1 silver), each engraved to the recipient; Two sets of London 1895 6th International Geographical Conference pin-back Badges, in silver and bronze; Two sets of 7th International Geographical Conference pin-back Badge, gilt and enamel, in fitted case of issue; Washington 1904 8th International Geographical Conference pin-back Badge, gilt and enamel; Cambridge 1928 International Geographical Conference Committee Badge, gilt and enamel, by Fattorini; Berlin 1928 Congress Badge, named 'Mill' in ink; 1928 Glasgow "BA" blue enamel pin, an impressive collection of awards, generally good very fine (Lot)

Hugh Robert Mill was born on 28 May 1861 at Thurso and graduated in the Sciences from Edinburgh University in 1883. Working on the Scottish Marine Station, he soon became involved in the Geographical Societies, appointed to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1885 and becoming Librarian at the Royal Geographical Society in London in 1892. Appointed to a number of committees dealing with meteorology, Mill found himself becoming involved and intertwined with the field of polar exploration. A close friendship grew with William Bruce during his time in London. It was Mill who gave Bruce his first taste of the Antarctic, after Markham had refused passage to his Librarian for the Dundee Antarctic Whaling Expedition of 1892-93. Mill again stepped in to suggest Bruce for the Jackson-Harmsworth Arctic Expedition of 1894-97.

Having published an Antarctic Bibliography, he resigned his position and soon accompanied Robert Falcon Scott, upon his invitation, to Madeira in order to lecture and instruct meteorology and oceanography to the scientific staff for the 1901-04 Discovery Expedition. Director of the British Rainfall Organisation, 1901-19, he also served as President of the Royal Meteorological Society in 1907-8.

Closely involved with the foundation of the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, he was on the Committee of Management from 1926 and Chairman of the Committee 1930-39. Upon his retirement, Mill donated his unique and unsurpassed collection of books, which remains in the collection.

Throughout his outstanding career, Mill was considered a trusty confidant for the greats of the 'Golden Age', including Shackleton, for whom he penned the introduction to "The Heart of the Antarctic" and also wrote the biography in 1924 following the death of his friend in 1922.

"For his speech at the unveiling of the Shackleton Memorial delivered without a scrap of paper but faultless in style, phraseology, and selective appreciation," said Souter, "all were indebted to him, and his Life of Sir Ernest Shackleton serves to preserve in warm appreciative colours that wonderful personality whose name will for ever be associated with Antarctic achievement and endeavour. Every youth should read this book.'

Mill had previously published "The Siege of the South Pole", the story of Antarctic Exploration in 1905. He died on 5 April 1950 at East Grinstead, Sussex. The Mill Glacier, a branch of the Beardmore Glacier, is named in his memory.

Sold for
$8,500