October 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, October 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2012
Robert Falcon Scott typed letter signed as Captain of the British Antarctic Expedition, 1910, 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.
Robert Falcon Scott Typed Letter Signed on ''British Antarctic Expedition 1910'' Stationery Asking New Zealand to Overturn Its Refusal to Allow James Mackintosh-Bell From Joining Expedition
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