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Mapping Ernest Shackleton's Quest For The South Pole

Rare separately published example of the general map illustrating the area explored by the British Antarctic Expedition of 1907.

Fine large map of the area from Admiralty Range to the South Pole, with a smaller inset map of the South Polar regions, illustrating the British attempt to reach the South Pole between 1907 and 1909. This map illustrates a broad overview of the British Antarctic Expedition (1907-1909), led by Ernest Shackleton. Spanning from the Admiralty Range to the South Pole, the map also includes a smaller inset of the South Polar regions, detailing the British attempts to reach the South Pole in this era.

The map illustrates the routes of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1907, often referred to as the Nimrod Expedition, a milestone in the annals of polar exploration. Led by Ernest Shackleton, it was the first of three expeditions to the Antarctic led by him. This expedition was crucial in laying down the groundwork for subsequent explorations, including Shackleton's own later ventures. It also marked a significant leap in scientific understanding of the Antarctic region.

The map meticulously documents various routes taken during the expedition, marked in red for clarity. These include Shackleton's southern journey, reaching the furthest point south at that time, the route of the Magnetic Polar Party, and the outward and homeward voyages of the expedition's vessel, "Nimrod," in January and December of 1908 and 1909. 

 The map identifies the following routes in red:

• Shackleton's Journey South, including endpoint at furthest southern point, at 162E̊, 88S̊23
• Route of Magnetic Polar Party
• Outward Voyage of "Nimrod" January 1908
• Outward Voyage of January 1908
• Homeward Voyage 1908
• Outward Voyage of "Nimrod" December 1908
• Outward Voyage of December 1908
• Homeward Voyage 1909

Rarity

This is the first time we have seen a separately published example of this map.

We note that the catalog entry for the University of Chicago calls this state a Printer's Proof.

Locations:  University of Chicago, National Library of Australia, Library of Congress, Penn State and University of Reading.