Polar Books Catalogue

  • Sections : Antarctic; Arctic; Journal of the Manchester Geographical Society; Maps; Miscellaneous; Mountaineering; General Polar; Scott; Other travel; Whaling;

    Search for a book by author or title

    one or two words from the title should be enough
    + ensures a word is present, - excludes it
    Putting your search in " " means the exact phrase is searched

    I.e. South Polar brings all titles that have South and/or Polar in them whilst "South Polar" will only bring those titles up that have South Polar in that order in them
    Click for Full Size image: 300 x 300 (52526 bytes)
    Select for Full Size image: 300 x 300 (52526 bytes) Select for Full Size image: 300 x 300 (47430 bytes) Select for Full Size image: 300 x 300 (45205 bytes) Select for Full Size image: 300 x 300 (55541 bytes)
    Reference 293 (2219)
    Category Antarctic;
    Author Douglas Mawson, (Sir)
    Title THE HOME OF THE BLIZZARD. Being the Story of the Australasian Expedition, 1911-1914.
    Publishing Information London: William Heinemann, 1915.
    Description 1st 2 Volume Edition; Vol I, xxx, 349 pages, illustrated. Frontispiece, 8 colour plates, 108 b/w plates (4 folding), 17 text illustrations. Vol II, xiii, 338 pages. Frontispiece, 10 colour plates, 93 b/w plates (5 folding), 20 text illustrations, 3 folding maps in rear pocket. Original dark blue cloth, title gilt to upper board and spine, pictorial block - "Leaning into the Wind" - in silver to front cover. The book is in the same format as Shackleton's Heart of the Antarctic, which is advertised on the first half-title verso. Shelf wear, some fading to spine and odd page loosening but all complete, contents clean and bright, all maps called for and are all in good condition, overall a lovely copy. Initially intending to be a member of Scott's party, Mawson decided to command his own expedition, the first official Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Mawson charted more than 2000 miles of coastline and nearly lost his life in a wild sledge journey. In the process, he developed a detailed scientific analysis of George V Land and Macquarie Island, and produced this classic account of heroic age exploits, which includes stunning photography from the camera of Frank Hurley. Shore parties wintered at Cape Denison and on the Shackleton Ice Shelf. The former base was unfortunately located in an area of constant gale-force winds, hence the title. In December 1912 a sledge party reached the South Magnetic Pole, located by Eric Webb. Meanwhile another party, consisting of Mawson, Ninnis and Mertz explored eastwards across George V Land. Only Mawson returned to base, Ninnis having fallen down a crevasse. With him went the 6 fittest dogs & the most indispensable supplies. Mertz & Mawson improvised, feeding the dogs worn out mitts, raw-hide straps, but eventually the weakest dogs were killed to feed them all, until all the dogs were gone. The two men reserved the dog's livers as the meat easiest to chew, unaware that liver's toxins were slowly poisoning the men as they consumed it. Mertz became delirious and died. Mawson continued, the soles of his feet separating and his toes and fingers festering. Miraculously he found a depot of food, and arrived eventually at the main depot, to see the ship departing on the horizon. He wintered over with the 6 men who had remained to continue the search. On Dec. 24, 1913 their 2 year journey was finally over. The expedition would discover 1,320 miles of land, including the Mertz, Denman, and Scott Glaciers, and the Davis Sea, and map 800 miles of coastline between Gaussberg and Cape Adare, all along the Adelie Land coast and beyond. Taurus 100; Rosove 217.A1; Spence 774; Conrad p208.
    Price £950.00
    Keywords Shackleton, polar, Scott S1-Ant
    ISBN
    Add this to your basket