The Worst Journey in the World: Antarctic 1910-1913

London: Constable and Company, 1922. [Polar Exploration]. Two volumes, complete. Original quarter linen over blue paper boards, printed paper spine labels (duplicate spine labels to each volume tipped-in), edges untrimmed, half-titles, 8vo (9 x 6 inches). First Edition/First Printing. lxiv 300 [4], viii 301-585 [1], retaining binder's blank at rear of volume 2; illustrated with 58 plates including color frontispieces, with tissue-guards, and 10 folding panoramas (only found in the first edition), 5 maps (4 folding). Collated complete. Provenance: armorial bookplate of William C. Ferguson on front pastedowns. Showing some expected general wear and toning, specifically small chips to spine label corner, light rubbing to heads, light foxing to prelims and edges. A high-spot of Polar Exploration, Cherry-Garrard's book stands as a seminal work in polar exploration literature, capturing the harrowing experiences of the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition to Antarctica led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott. First published in London, 1922 the author's meticulous and evocative account offers a deeply personal and introspective narrative of endurance, courage, and the relentless pursuit of scientific discovery amidst the unforgiving Antarctic landscape. Drawing from his own firsthand experiences as a member of Scott's expedition, Cherry-Garrard's narrative is both a testament to human resilience and an exploration of the psychological and physical tolls exacted by extreme conditions. Through vivid prose and keen observation, he chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of the expedition, from the treacherous journey to collect emperor penguin eggs in the dead of winter to the heart-wrenching loss of Scott and his campanions on their return from the South Pole. "The Worst Journey in the World" transcends mere exploration narrative, delving into profound themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, and the quest for knowledge. The author's deep reverence for the natural world and his unwavering commitmenet to scientific inquiry infuse every page. Serving as a cautionary tale and an enduring tribute to the spirit of exploration, this work stands as a classic of polar literature and a high-spot of polar collecting.. First Edition. Cloth. Very Good. Octavo.