A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects: From Cook's Circumnavigations to the Aviation Age

by Anne Strathie

The objects in this book relate to a key period in polar exploration history, from the 1770s to the early 1930s. Today they are located worldwide, whether in polar regions, public spaces, museums and other repositories, or in private collections.

Some objects were used by famous explorers, but more testify to important work by mariners, scientists, artists, photographers and filmmakers, or sometimes overlooked roles played by explorers' relatives, sponsors and other supporters. They

• Mrs Elizabeth Cook's 'ditty box'

• An innovative crow's nest

• Francis Crozier's penguin specimen

• An octant used in searches for John Franklin

• A scientist's portable paintbox

• An expedition prospectus

• An Antarctic Baby biplane

• HMS Erebus's long-lost bell

Collectively, the objects evidence a continuum of polar endeavour which, notwithstanding national ambitions and personal rivalries, reflect levels of international collaboration to which we should aspire when exploring or attempting to safeguard the increasingly fragile polar regions.

Genres: Nonfiction

483 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2024

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, informative and absolutely gorgeously illustrated look at polar exploration over around two centuries. I knew about a lot of these expeditions but there were others I didn’t know so well (Southern Cross, Mawson, to name a couple) which I now am yearning for more of. Even for the ones I did know of, it was great to see them through the lenses of their material culture and history.

Some of my favourite objects and tidbits included…

The ominous canister of meat for Edward Parry’s 1820s expedition, which was preserved at Fury Beach and then later brought out as a party piece by John Ross, an acquaintance of whom ate the contents ‘with no ill effects’ (won’t be trying that one)

James Clark Ross’ stunning and dashing portrait (my favourite historical portrait of all time, absolutely sums him up and the rockstar quality of these Victorian polar explorers)

The rock at Port Leopold inscribed with the date 1849 by men searching for the lost Franklin expedition which is such an immediate and tangible link to the past, having survived untouched for so long

RRS Discovery, because I’m a sucker for a museum ship and am so ashamed that I’ve never been on it (Dundee is a looooong way away!)

Edward Wilson’s paintbox and his beautiful drawings of Antarctica – I was so honoured and moved to be able to see one of his paintboxes at the Natural History Museum in London, as well as the penguin eggs he, Cherry and Birdie Bowers collected at Cape Crozier. Such an incredible object to sum up a bewildering and fascinating expedition

On the subject of… Birdie Bowers’ sledge flag which I particularly liked the story behind as he tried to design one himself and it looked too ‘amateurish’ compared to the others’ flags (I adore Birdie so much and this sums him up: maybe not as polished as the others but makes up for it in enthusiasm and pluck)

Amundsen’s Uranienborg – another place I would love to visit (although as a side note, you can download a virtual tour of it on Steam for free which is so random but such a great idea to showcase history)

The Scott Polar Research Institute, a monument to past and future polar exploration, science, and history and all those who have given so much to it over the centuries. Another place I need to visit!

And the many huts mentioned, many of which are still perfectly preserved in the cold conditions

One of my other favourite objects was one that wasn’t a main feature but was a photograph attached to another, showing Vivien Fuchs and George Lowe in front of a statue of Scott, taken using film from a roll found at Cape Crozier from when Cherry, Wilson and Birdie had been there decades before. Another great example of the connections of polar history across time.