Lot 341
Scottish Antarctic Expedition - Robert C. Mossman, meteorologist
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 6 May 2015 at 12:00 BST
Description
Scrapbook, c.32x26cm, containing a record of the experiences of Robert C. Mossman, meteorologist on board the Antarctic Ship "Scotia", comprising: 17 letters written by Robert Mossman to his father and another relation, Isabella, charting his journey and experiences on board the ship, visiting destinations on his journey South such as Kingstown in Ireland, Madeira, the Cape Verde Islands, Port Stanley, the South Orkneys and Buenos Aires, written between 1902 and 1905, many mentioning other crew members, wildlife, living conditions and his meteorological work; also a letter from expedition leader William Bruce to Mossman's father, from Port Stanley on 9th February 1904, relating to Robert's work; also 7 faded photographs, between c.12 x 16 and 16 x 20cm, taken at Port Stanley and sent home by Robert Mossman, showing penguins, a 'sea elephant', and views of Port Stanley - the images were engraved and reproduced in the 'Edinburgh Evening Dispatch'; also 3 smaller very faded photographs showing men on board a ship; also many newspaper clippings and magazine offprints relating to the expedition, such as: Bruce, W.S. The Scottish Antarctic expedition [offprint from?] The Scottish Geographical Magazine, June 1990, blue wrappers, map; [AND] Illuminated calligraphic manuscript produced [in Buenos Aires?] for Mossman on the occasion of his retirement in 1938, comprising 12 vellum leaves with a full-page illustration of the South Orkneys, signed G. Siniscalchi, A.R. Politi and C.A. Navarro to final page, album c.21 x 30cm, red calf gilt; [AND] Album containing at least 19 photographs of Buenos Aires and Argentina and one of Brazilian women (3)
Footnote
Note: The Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, led by William Speirs Bruce, officially lasted from 1902-1904. Notable achievements include the establishment of a manned meteorological station in Antarctic territory: the Orcades weather station was set up in 1903 on Laurie Island in the South Orkneys and was named "Ormond House".
The "Antarctic Ship Scotia", in which the expedition members sailed, was a refurbished Norwegian whaling ship. It was transformed into an Antarctic research vessel under Bruce's supervision. Robert Mossman was one of the six scientific personnel on board the ship and was the appointed meteorologist and expert in magnetics. Educated at the Edinburgh Royal High School, Mossman became involved with meteorological work on Ben Nevis before embarking on the Scottish Antarctic Expedition. His letters to his father and Isabella give an excellent impression of his journey: he describes flying fish landing on deck near the Cape Verde Islands, shark infested waters before reaching Port Stanley, Christmas dinner on board the ship, catching a sunfish with a harpoon and being "frozen in" at Laurie Island for "nearly eight months". The letters also reference his meteorological work after being left on Laurie Island by Bruce and the "Scotia" to continue work at Ormond House. He writes: "The geographical position of the South Orkneys renders meteorological observations there of immense value."
The final six letters in the book are sent in February and March 1905, as Mossman was writing meteorological papers in Buenos Aires and preparing to return home. The album would seem to have been compiled by Robert Mossman's father or Isabella, whose ownership signature appears to the half-title of lot 340.