South Polar Times

It documents first-hand many professional and personal aspects of Antarctic exploration,[1] and highlights some of the physical and psychological hardships the men suffered.

The magazine combines watercolour paintings, cartoons, and photographs with weather reports, essays, and other colloquial and scientific observations.

The magazine was founded to provide an outlet to entertain the men throughout their time in Antarctica and keep them occupied when weather prevented exploration.

In his journal, Scott writes about the perfect initial copy of the magazine, but acknowledges that in the circumstances, broad circulation would not be possible from their isolated location in Antarctica.

Although ‘Scott of the Antarctic' died attempting to reach the South Pole, no explicit reference to this event is made in the magazine.

[4] Other men who perished included Edgar Evans, Lawrence Oates, Edward Wilson and Birdie Bowers.

[5] This interpretation offered by Michael Bartalos of the California Academy of Science is influenced by the fact that the publication was a single typewritten copy accompanied by detailed diagrams for aesthetic results.

[5] Scott explained in his preface of the first edition in 1902 that the men "knew that daylight would shortly disappear for four whole months", and consequently, the thoughts of expedition members turned to the long dark period ahead.

The extent of his artistry is exemplified by the fact that Wilson's created over two hundred sketches that feature in the South Polar Times.

[5] An example of the written work included in the South Polar Times is that entitled ‘Extracts from some Antarctic Archives', which is satirical in nature.

The Folio edition includes an introduction specifically curated by Ann Savours Shirley, who is an expert in historical polar publishing.

[8] Some of Wilsons notable works include the armorial title page which shows two empower penguins framing a shield.

In the preface of the first edition, Scott provides some context for future readers by stating that "Owners of these volumes will possess an exact reproduction of the original South Polar Times."

The sole edification of the end product ensures that readers are provided with the same experience as the men who created the original copy of the South Polar Times.

Since Bernacchi had substantial scientific knowledge, information recorded in the South Polar Times was drawn upon in subsequent presentations given globally.

Although specific roles were assigned to particular members of Scott's Antarctic expeditions, it is noted in the preface to the first edition that a central condition of the production relied on the notion that it was to be open to all and that "the men as well as the officers were to be invited to contribute to its pages.

Libraries in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US hold copies for members of the public to access and is most often held in the rare books collection.

[10] The copyright status of the South Polar Times is also an important factor in the ability for publishing houses to print extensive copies of the test.

The harsh conditions of exploration are recounted in a segment of the publishment which tells the story of the disappearance of one man in the sledging party after a blizzard occurred.

The scientific findings that are dispersed throughout the South Polar Times are reflective of the substantial contributions the expeditions made to meteorology, magnetism, geology and biology.