Lot 2301

Description

Scott of the Antarctic, unopened Fry's Cocoa 1lb net tin souvenired from Scott's hut in 1958 by a New Zealand sailor, E.A.Wilson; also, a crossing the Antarctic Circle certificate (410mm x 505mm) named to Edwin Alfred Wilson aboard NZ warship 'Endeavour' dated 27 Dec 1958 and signed by the ship's RNZN commander. The tin with foxing on label and rusting on lid, otherwise very fine, the certificate good very fine. (2)

Scott’s hut located on the north shore of Cape Evans on Ross Island in Antarctica was erected in 1911 by the British Antarctic Expedition of 1910-13 led by Scott. After 1917 it remained untouched until 1956 when it was dug out of the snow and ice in a good state of preservation and it contained many artefacts from earlier expeditions. Some items were taken as souvenirs at the time and since (as for example this tin of Cocoa) nonetheless, the hut remains basically as it was in 1917. New Zealand and the United Kingdom have undertaken responsibility at various times to maintain it. Included is a photo of the hut’s kitchen showing a crate marked Fry’s Pure Cocoa.