The binding of The South Polar Times

The South Polar Times (SPT) was produced in the Antarctic during the two Scott expeditions. There was only an original typescript with illustrations. It was passed around for all to read.
Only later was it issued as a facsimile publication by Smith, Elder. (See Bibiography.)

The originals from the Discovery expedition are at the Royal Geographical Society.

From my written notes, May 15, 2000, edited:

The originals were presented to the RGS by Captain Scott.

The originals are bound in 9 volumes. Blue cloth with spines in gilt THE SOUTH POLAR TIMES with volume number. The COVERS volume is 8-3/4 x 11-1/4 inches. All others are ca. 8-1/8 x 11-1/4 inches. (The pages are ca. 8 x 9-3/4 inches.)
There are brownish-salmon endpapers. The bookplate of the RGS is on the front pastedowns.
It is not known what the state of the originals were in when presented to the RGS. Presumably the RGS had them bound as shown. However, there must have been some sort of cover, binding or portfolio when they were passed around aboard Discovery.

The originals from the Terra Nova expedition are in two places:
     • What would become Vol 3 of the published version: At the British Library.


This photo shows Cherry-Garrard at the typewriter—
presumably the one used in producing the SPT—with a bound volume
beside him—presumably the original SPT Volume 3.

     • What would become Vol 4 of the published version: At the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI).


The upper cover and spine of the original of Volume 4 now at SPRI.

Michael Rosove, in his bibliography above, states regarding Volume 3: "291.A1. Presentation binding. London: Smith, Elder, 1914. Wooden boards, Weddell seal skin. binding. London: Smith, Elder, 1914. Wooden boards, Weddell seal skin. — 3 copies. Very rare. These copies were bound in wooden boards and Weddell seal skin for presentation to editor Cherry-Garrard, Wilson's widow Oriana, and Scott's five-year-old son Peter. The former two are now in the Scott Polar Research Institute."


The two Presentation Bindings at SPRI.
SPRI has a third Presentation copy. It's unkown to whom these two were presented.
The three recipients were Peter Scott, Mrs Wilson and Cherry-Garrard.

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