Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.
1913 (Jan.17) autographed letter from Griffith Taylor, on…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
20-Sep-2011
Lot No.
***
Description:
1913 (Jan.17) autographed letter from Griffith Taylor, on 'Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Home Affairs' letterhead, further endorsed 'Geological Survey, Fed. Capital, Australia'; to 'Messrs Fry, Bristol'. Taylor explains that on the occasion of his birthday, 1st December 1911 'my party in the Antarctic (B.A.E.1910 Western Geological Expedition) reached our destination at Granite Harbour....and to celebrate the double event a feast was decided upon.....I went off and killed the necessary seal & flensed him.....a fry was made of succulent liver....and with one other addition....the meal was complete. The addition was a half-box of your chocolates carried expressly for such occasions! The party solemnly decided to put on record that there was a very severe error in the box - It was six sizes too small. In token thereof the leader was deputed to return your label as requested and here's the very label!' which is affixed to the letter and tied by an oval handstamp. Taylor concludes 'With all good wishes from the greatest chocolate eater of the Expedition.' Scott contracted Taylor to the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition. He was looking for an experienced team, and appointed Taylor as Senior Geologist. It was agreed that Taylor would act as representative for the weather service, due to the known effects of Antarctic weather conditions on Australia's climate. He was the leader of the successful geological team, responsible for the first maps and geological interpretations of significant areas of Antarctica. In January 1911, he led an expedition to the coastal area west of McMurdo Sound. He led a second successful expedition in November, 1911, this time centring on the Granite Harbour region approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of Butter Point. Taylor's party was due to be picked up by the Terra Nova supply ship on 15 January 1912, but the ship could not reach them. They waited until 5 February before trekking southward, and were rescued from the ice when they were finally spotted by the ship on 18 February. Taylor left Antarctica in March 1912 on board the Terra Nova, unaware of the fate of Scott's polar party.
Estimate:
***
Price:
***
Category:
Memorabilia: Autographs