$3,998
Herbert George Ponting (British, 1870-1935) The Terra Nova Icebound, Scott's Last Expedition , 1910-11. Signed "HG Ponting" in pencil below the image l.r., titled in pencil below the image l.l. and l.c. Blue-toned carbon print, image size 18 1/4 x 12 7/8 in. (46.4 x 32.7 cm), framed. Condition: Mounted, cracking of gelatin in darker areas of sheet, primarily at upper corners, scattered minor pinpoint fox marks on mount. N.B. In 1910, photographer Herbert Ponting was recruited as 'camera-artist' to the British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition. Led by Robert Falcon Scott, the expedition's scientific and geographical objectives included being the first team to reach the South Pole. They arrived on January 17, 1912, thirty-four days behind the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen's party. Scott and his four companions perished on their return, and the expedition is remembered primarily for this tragedy. As a member of the Terra Nova Expedition, Ponting helped set up the base camp, including a small darkroom in which he also slept, on Ross Island. He worked primarily with glass plate negatives to document the activities of the expedition's team as they prepared for their inland trek to the pole, as well as the extremes of the harsh environment as demonstrated by this image of the icebound Terra Nova.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2015-09-11
