AMUNDSEN, Roald.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Sydpolen. Den Norske Sydpolsfaerd med Fram 1910-1912. First edition in book form of Amundsen's account of his dash to the pole, married by a later collector with the decorative wrappers of the 40-part first edition and commercial ephemera, including the publisher's prospectus with sample plates, three order forms, and a promotional slip.Amundsen's triumph over Scott "was due to highly disciplined dogsled teams, more accomplished skiers, a shorter distance to the Pole, better clothing and equipment, well-planned supply depots en route, including more nutritious food with plenty of B vitamins, fortunate weather, and a modicum of luck … Amundsen and four of his colleagues reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911, carefully plotted their location, left messages for Scott and King Haakon VII, and then returned to their Framhein base on January 25, 1912, only nine days after the disheartened Scott party reached the Pole" (Books on Ice).Returning to Norway a hero, Amundsen wrote his account quickly, and it was issued in 40 parts by Jacob Dybwads between May and September 1912. The "splendidly baroque cloth-bound version" (Taurus) followed soon after. It is one of the most handsomely produced examples of polar literature.

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