Our Grand Project: Commemorating the Departure of the Antarctic Expedition

By Shigenobu Okuma

Notice of Solicitation from Society for the Support of the Japanese Antarctic Expedition, 10 May 1911. 14.5 cm x 9.5 cm. Very Rare. Ross 4.1.

This copy, with its original translucent slip envelope/slipcase, states: “Our Grand Project: Commemoration of the Departure of the Japanese Antarctic Expedition.”

A printed document used to solicit funds for the Japanese Antarctic Expedition. Authored by Shigenobu Okuma, president of the Society for the Support of the Japanese Antarctic Expedition. Okuma was a very high-ranking statesman and political figure, a former prime minister of Japan and a founder of Waseda University, Tokyo.

The document was given by the Society for the Support of the Antarctic Expedition to Waseda University students with the intent they would help solicit funds for the continuation of the Japanese Antarctic Expedition after their failed first attempt. The notice states in part: “To students of Waseda University. We delegate a task of collecting donations for the Japanese Antarctic Expedition Team to you. May 10, 1911 (Meiji 44)”

$1800.00 -