A group of ten photographs from Sir Douglas Mawson's British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE), 1929-1931
Ten vintage gelatin silver prints, seven approximately 203 × 257 mm, three 165 × 217 mm.
Occasional minor discolouration to the prints; a few unobtrusive marks and creases; tiny chip to one blank corner-tip; overall, in excellent condition.
Seven photographs date from the the expedition's first voyage over the summer of 1929-30. These images show scenes from sub-Antarctic islands, including a fine three-panel panorama of the Kerguelen Islands, as the expedition did not set foot on continental Antarctica. The final three images relate to the second voyage, over the summer of 1930-31. One shows the shore party at Cape Denison, on continental Antarctica, and the other two are examples of Hurley's evocative shipboard photographs. The official BANZARE credit slip (with detailed caption) is mounted on the verso of each photograph, together with further copyright stamps of the 'Herald Feature Service' and stamped release dates (February to April 1930 for the seven images relating to the first voyage, and April and May 1931 for those relating to the second). A concerted media campaign followed each cruise, partly to promote the films 'Southward Ho with Mawson' and 'Siege of the South', both filmed and directed by Hurley; these press photographs are part of that campaign. The photographs are: 'A 11. The Home of Cormorants'. Kerguelen Islands, with cormorants; 'A 19. A Densely Populated Sub-Antarctic Colony'. Crozet Islands, showing 'sea-elephants' and two expeditioners; 'A 22 - No. 1 [plus] No. 2 [and] No. 3. Kerguelen, the Magnificent'. A three-panel panorama comprising the three smaller photographs, two of them with margins trimmed at one side. 'This striking panorama taken from the summit of Red Dome Peak looks over the emerald isles and meandering waterways of Swain's Bay and Royal Sound' (from the caption); 'A 36. Weathering out a gale'. Heard Island, showing Macaroni penguins; 'A 37. Charting treacherous sub-Antarctic Coasts'. Rogers Head, Heard Island, with penguins in the foreground and SY 'Discovery' in the distance; 'B 1. The Discovery heading through ice-congested waters of the Mackenzie Sea, of the shores of Princess Elizabeth Land'. The bow of SY 'Discovery', taken from the foremast; 'B 32. Mawson revisits former Winter Quarters. After a lapse of 18 years Sir Douglas Mawson revisited the old winter quarter of his Australian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1914. A landing is being made at Cape Denison, King George Fifth Land'; 'B 28. The windiest spot on earth. A glimpse of windswept coast Cape Denison, King George Fifth Land. Observations extending over two years recorded an average wind of 49.9 miles per hour over this period'. 'Dogged by frustration and disagreement, the two BANZARE cruises were nonetheless scientific and political successes. Extensive mapping helped determine the undersea platform around a third of the Antarctic continent and oceanographic trawls and hydrographic sampling netted specimens and data that would take years to analyse thoroughly and publish. Together with the results of the AAE, the geographical work of BANZARE underpinned Australia's claim to approximately 40 per cent of the Antarctic continent, made law in 1936 with the establishment of the Australian Antarctic Territory' (Alasdair McGregor: 'Frank Hurley: A Photographer's Life', page 323). [10 items].
Item #146690
Price (AUD):
$5,500.00