THE WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD, ANTARCTIC 1910 - 1913 de Apsley Cherry-Garrard - 1922

Constable, London, 1922. First Edition. Hardcover (Original Cloth). Good/No Dust Jacket. 1st Edition, 2 volumes; Rare first edition of this Antarctic classic, which includes the 10 panoramic plates that do not appear in later editions. Vol. I, lxiv, 1-300, [4] appendix, 30 plate leaves, (including frontispiece and 2 folding panoramas), 4 maps (3 folding); Vol. II, viii, 301-585, 28 plates leaves (including coloured frontispiece, 8 folding panoramas), 1 folding map. Original blue cloth with gilt titles variation - A71.A1 Rosove (71.A2). Possibly Ex library,evidence of removal of bookplates and red ink stain on rear eps, both volumes, but no other library markings. All 10 panoramas, prints as called for. Age toning, some foxing; mainly to page edges, spines sunned. Shelf ware, corners bumped, fraying, softening to spines both volumes, hinge cracking in Volume I, folding plate I panorama completely torn but complete and repaired with archive tape,covers slightly grubby but contents clean, age toning and odd spotting as expected. Overall in Good condition. The best written and most enduring account of exploits in the Antarctic. - Taurus. A classic - it has been called "The best polar book ever written." At the age of 24, 'Cherry' was one of the youngest members of Scott's Terra Nova Expedition (1910-1913). This was Scott's second and last expedition to Antarctica. Cherry was initially rejected, but made a second application along with a promise of £1,000 towards the cost of the expedition. Rejected a second time, he made the donation regardless. Struck by this gesture, and at the same time persuaded by Dr. Edward 'Bill' Watson, Scott agreed to take Cherry as assistant biologist. He is acclaimed for his historical account of this expedition... It was perhaps the only real stroke of luck in Scott's ill fated [Terra Nova] expedition that Cherry-Garrard, the one survivor of the winter journey, happened to be able to describe it so effectively that the reader forgets how comfortable he is in his armchair, and remembers the tale with a shiver as if he had been through it himself. - George Bernard Shaw." Cherry-Garrard was warmly commended by Scott for his efficiency and unselfishness as a sledger and tent-mate. In the comparative comfort of life at base, he edited the South Polar Times. Wilson chose Bowers and Cherry-Garrard -- 'the pick of the sledging element' (Scott) -- as his companions for a Winter Journey in 1911 to the rookery of the Emperor Penguin at Cape Crozier, an exploit which is still without parallel in the annals of polar exploration. On their return 5 weeks later, Scott described their journey as 'the hardest that has ever been made' -- a phrase which later suggested to Cherry-Garrard the title of his narrative. The book is widely regarded as the most readable of all the Antarctic literature - it has been suggested that the manuscript was heavily edited by George Bernard Shaw, who was a close family friend of the Cherry-Garrards. PLEASE NOTE: This book will incur extra postage and insurance charges. Please contact us for a quote. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 5 kilogram. Category: Arctic & Antarctic; Antarctic; 1900-1920; Exploration. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 2538. . This book is extra heavy, and may involve extra shipping charges to some countries.