IMPERIAL TRANS-ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION: A LETTER FROM ERNEST SH...

Hammer

£6,500

IMPERIAL TRANS-ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION: A LETTER FROM ERNEST SHACKLETON TO A SUPPORTER, WRITTEN FROM SOUTH GEORGIA ON THE EVE OF HIS FINAL DEPARTURE

written in a secretarial hand over a single side of expedition stationery watermarked 'Air Dried Legal Vellum', counter addressed and dated South Georgia / 15.11.14 he continues ...On the eve of my departure from this sub antarctic island for the polar ice, I dictate this farewell line to once more thank you for the great assistance you have given the Expedition... signed in his own hand Est Shackleton, folded twice and contained in original envelope with Falkland Island stamp franked for Dec 14th, a receiving stamp for 2nd Feb and forwarding address to the '1st Batt Royal Sussex Regt.' -- 5 x 4in. (13 x 10cm.)

Theophilus Maxwell Davies, recipient, and thence by descent to the vendor.

Theophilus Maxwell Davies (1881-1970) had many interests including a passion for music and the arts and was described in a Canadian Newspaper as an 'Edwardian Dandy'. His work as a Civil Engineer led to his involvement in many design projects and it is thought that this, as well as his membership of the Royal Geographical Society, could have led to Shackleton seeking his expertise. Although Theophilus’s exact contribution to the Expedition is unclear, his family believes that he provided Shackleton with practical advice, drawing on his wealth of experience, rather than giving him financial support.

Fine conditon overall; envelope has remnants of an old rubber band with associated witness marks running vertically through the middle.