南極記 / Nankyoku-ki
Records of Antarctica
By Lt. Nobu Shirase
Tokyo: Hakubunka, 1913 First Edition, First Printing. Thick large 8vo, 22.8 cm. pp. I, (I), 496 text, [I]. 39 plate leaves including 4 in color and 33 in black-and-white, title page with original tissue guard; 104 photographs, 48 drawings in text, large fold-out color map bound at rear containing three maps on one. One thick paper page mounted with card and signature of General Maresuke Nogi — famous general and Japanese hero from the Russian Japanese war — with inscription stating “congratulations on heroic attempt”. Publisher’s dark blue-cloth boards with de-bossed Antarctic mountain scene and dog sledge in foreground, front cover image ruled in silver and title in silver; spine lettering in silver showing only slight wear to the silver and no fading. A Near Fine and complete copy. Rare. —Conrad p.166, Rosove 309.A1.a, Ross 1.5.1
Often called the “official account” of the Japanese Antarctic Expedition 1910-1912, this narrative was composed by the Antarctic Expedition Supporter Committee and based on the journals and logs of Lt. Nobu Shirase and expedition members. The scientific findings of the Japanese Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1912 were published as appendices in this publication.
$8500.00 -