THE WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD: Antarctic 1910-1913

London: Chatto and Windus, 1937. First one volume edition, early issue. Several illustrations, 4 folding maps. 8vo, blue cloth, lettered in black on upper cover and spine. In the original dustjacket. lxiv, 580, index. A especially fine copy, internally pristine and largely unopened, the text-block, folding maps and plates in remarkable condition, essentially as mint and showing no signs of use. Some minor chipping to the extremities of the scarce dustjacket. FIRST ONE VOLUME EDITION, EARLY ISSUE. A dramatic and splendidly written account of the 1910-1913 expedition. The expedition was comprised of three actual journeys: the depot journey, during which supplies were laid for the polar trip; the winter journey to Cape Crozier to visit the penguin rookery--the "worst journey" of the title; and the final, tragic attempt on the pole, during which Scott and three others perished. The story of Scott's last expedition is of course a great tale, and Cherry-Garrard uses his considerable skill as a writer to heighten the drama.
“And I tell you, if you have the desire for knowledge and the power to give it physical expression, go out and explore. If you are a brave man you will do nothing: if you are fearful you may do much, for none but cowards have need to prove their bravery. Some will tell you that you are mad, and nearly all will say,’What is the use?’ For we are a nation of shopkeepers, and no shopkeeper will look at research which does not promise him a financial return within a year. And so you will sledge nearly alone, but those with whom you sledge will not be shopkeepers: that is worth a great deal. If you march your Winter Journeys you will have your reward, so long as all you want is a penguin’s egg.”-Cherry-Garrard.
The one volume edition is compact and very readable, this copy especially so as it is essentially in pristine condition.