POLAR MEMORIALS
THE KINSEY COLLECTION BOOKS WITH HISTORIES No. XL The inclusion in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington of the library of the late Sir Joseph Kinsey will bring together in the one building at last for the benefit of readers and students a great number of books, photographs, records, signatures, v and letters pertaining to polar exploration and discovery. The books and records of the Kinsey collection pertaining to polar activities comprise two large book cases filled—one relating solely to Antarctica. Although the Turnbull Library already possessed a good number of works dealing with polar exploration, the Kinsey collection has filled many gaps, and, because of the fact that a great number of the Kinsey books were included in the libraries of exploration ships and were actually used in preparing for and conducting the expeditions, and also contain autographs and intimate inscriptions, will provide a rich national collection.
One valuable book, for instance, is ' The Antarctic Manual,’ issued in 1900 by _ the Royal Geographical Society. This was used on the ships of the British Antarctic expeditions of the Nimrod and the Terra Nova and the Antarctic relief expedition, and was the official manual of the first expedition after its publication. It belonged to Captain John K. Davis, of the Nimrod, and passed apparently into the hands of Captain Will Coibeck, of the Terra Nova, who inscribed in the book “ To my friend J. J. Kinsey, April, 1904, from Will Coibeck on his return from the Antarctic.” The same book apparently went with Shackleton, whose inscription reads: “ Good (luck to you, old Kinsey ; E. H. Shackleton, March 23, 1907.” Then, again, is an inscription; “In sinqfre appreciation of the kindness which permitted me the use of this book on the second voyage of the Nimrod to the Antarctic, March 26, 1909; Fred. P. Evans.”
This book provides the library with a valuable bibliography of books and publications dealing with Antarctica. This bibliography, in the back of the manual, consists of 60 pages of Antarctic literature, beginning in 1716 and brought up to 1900. It was compiled after a vast amount of research by Dr Hughes Robert Mill, author of ‘ The Siege of the South Pole,’ and the manual contains Dr Mill’s autograph, as \yell as those of C. S. Wright, Frank Debenham, and Captain Davis. Among the relics in the library are several first-aid sets, two wine-glasses inscribed with the Nimrod’s design, and the medical case of the British Antarctic expedition of 1910. Within the case, which was borne by the dog teams and is cased in canvas, is a letter and inventory of the contents: “This medical case was used by the dog teams in the relief journey, south, November, 1912; also used by the party, ascending Erebus in December. 1912. It was carried to a height of 10,000 ft, and remained at the site of the oldest crater. A part of _ the contents was carried to the summit. E. L. Atkinson, surgeon, R.N.” The contents appear to be in first-class condition to-day, including the surgeon’s stainless steel knife, bandages, and safety pins. There are some rare volumes in the bookcase devoted to North Polar exploration, but there are not, of course, the rich associations nor are there any autographs. On top of the Arctic collection appears the barograph that belonged to and was used by the 1907 Antarctic expedition. Looking rather grubby and grimed, and with finger and thumb prints on the pages, are three interesting relics—two sets of navigational tables printed hy the New Zealand Government Printer, and the 1 Charts of the National Antarctic Expedition, 190104,’ compiled by Lieutenant G. F. A. Mulcock, R.N., and issued by the Royal Geographical Society. “ This set of maps was in the hut at winter quarters. Cape Evans, during the whole period from January, 1911, to January, 1913, and in general use by the shore party,” reads an inscription on the charts. One set of tables is inscribed: “ Used in the igloo during the winter of 1912. V. Campbell.” The copv certainlv looks the part; lantern-black thumb marks are on,the pages, the cover is' mildewed, and the edges are grimed. The other copy is inscribed: “This book was used by me for working azimuths when south of 60deg. S. latitude in the Terra Nova during the three seasons, 1910-11, 1911-12, and 1912-13. No other tables were used when south, H. Pennell, March, 19X3.”
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Evening Star, Issue 22463, 7 October 1936, Page 7
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734POLAR MEMORIALS Evening Star, Issue 22463, 7 October 1936, Page 7
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