Sell or Auction Your Robert Falcon Scott and Terra Nova Crew Signatures
To auction, sell or consign your Robert Falcon Scott and Terra Nova crew signatures, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
Free Appraisal, Auction or Sell Your Robert Falcon Scott and Terra Nova Crew Signatures
The Terra Nova Expedition, officially the British Antarctic Expedition, was an expedition to Antarctica which took place between 1910 and 1913. Led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, the expedition had various scientific and geographical objectives. Scott wished to continue the scientific work that he had begun when leading the Discovery Expedition from 1901 to 1904, and wanted to be the first to reach the geographic South Pole. He and four companions attained the pole on 17 January 1912, where they found that a Norwegian team led by Roald Amundsen had preceded them by 34 days. Scott’s party of five died on the return journey from the pole; some of their bodies, journals, and photographs were found by a search party eight months later.
Some Robert Falcon Scott Autographs We’ve Sold:
Robert Falcon Scott Autograph on a Typed Letter on “British Antarctic Expedition 1910” Stationery Asking New Zealand to Overturn Its Refusal to Allow James Mackintosh-Bell From Joining Expedition
Robert Falcon Scott autograph on a typed letter as Captain of the 1910 British Antarctic Expedition, now known as the ill-fated Terra Nova expedition. On official letterhead dated 7 January 1910, Scott asks Expedition Advisory Committee member Sir Archibald Geikie for his help in persuading the New Zealand government to allow geologist James Mackintosh-Bell to join the expedition. Mackintosh-Bell declined Scott’s offer to join the 1901-1904 British National Antarctic expedition (Discovery) and, when this letter was written, was director of the Geological Survey of New Zealand. Scott writes this two page letter, hoping “…to have a statement from some scientific authority that Mr. Mackintosh-Bell would be a valuable addition to the Expedition staff and possibly that his knowledge of the geology of New Zealand would especially qualify him for work in the Antarctic continent…” He signs, “R.F. Scott” as well as making two handwritten corrections in the typed text of the letter. The approach failed (and thus saving Mackintosh-Bell’s life), and Bell remained in his position until 1911, but the letter is typical of Scott’s proactive attempts to bolster the scientific expertise of the expedition. Two sheets, measuring 8″ x 10″, are stapled in upper corner. Light creasing and a few tiny stains, else near fine. Sold for $4,353.

1901 Robert Falcon Scott Autograph Letter Signed — While “At Sea” on Discovery Expedition Letterhead
Famed Antarctic explorer, Robert Falcon Scott autograph letter signed “R.F. Scott” while on the Discovery Expedition. Scott datelines his letter “At Sea, 18 September”, just a month into the venture. Written on “Discovery Antarctic Expedition 1901” stationery, Scott expresses thanks for the donation of a book to the Discovery ship’s on-board library. Likely sent to the book’s author Henry Sulivan, it reads in part: “…very tardy thanks for your present – of ‘The Life & Letters of Sir BJ Sulivan’ – They reached me at a very busy time on the eve of our departure…” British hydrographer and sailor Sir Bartholomew J. Sulivan’s biography is in fact included in the printed “Catalogue of Books of the Discovery 1901,” which indicates it was shelved in Lieutenant Armitage’s cabin. Scott was killed in 1912 on his sophomore expedition, Terra Nova, and letters by him, especially on adventure are very uncommon. 2pp. letter on card-style stationery measures approximately 4.5″ x 7″. Very good condition. Sold for $3,873.

Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott autograph on a typed letter with a Robert Scott Falcon autograph note signed as Captain of the British Antarctic Expedition, 1910. He signs the letter on official letterhead, ”R Scott”. Dated 6 May 1910, it acknowledges a financial donation toward the doomed Terra Nova expedition by one Marjorie S. Sulivan. Scott adds a rare, handwritten, initialed postscript that reads in full: ”Thank you very much / It is very kind of you / I have made this / collection / R.S.” Single page letter measures 8” x 10”. Toning, creasing, and a small stain to left side. Two small chips to upper left, else near fine. Sold for $2,772.

To auction, sell or consign your Robert Falcon Scott and Terra Nova crew signatures, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
