RARE books and memorabilia from a polar explorer are to be auctioned.
Cambridge-educated scientist Raymond Adie was summoned to Downing Street by Margaret Thatcher during the Falklands conflict to advise on the harsh conditions British troops could expect to face on the remote islands.
This added an unexpected twist to his glittering scientific career spent researching Antarctica’s frozen landscape.
He was the first South African scientist to set foot on the continent in 1946, aged just 21, and went on to spend another three-and-a-half years living there.
He visited Antarctica 22 times in total and knew no bounds when it came to his research; on two occasions he made journeys of some 2,400kms on a dog sledge to carry out his work.
Mr Adie died in May this year aged 81. The auction of his Antarctic library is being handled by Cheffins in Clifton Road, Cambridge.
Lisa Freeman-Bassett, from Cheffins, said: “The collection of books can be divided between those scarce or early editions he sought out. The latter books include those that bear bookplates or ownership signatures of fellow Antarctic pioneering explorers and scientists.
“This is a collection to delight the enthusiast and collector alike and offers a unique chance to acquire some rare and significant Antarctic material.”
Some of the most significant lots include the two-volume set of Captain James Ross’s A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions first edition 1847, signed and inscribed by Ross to Adam Sedgwick.
Buyers will also like lot 468, the work by Bjarne Aagaard with letters agreeing to disagree about place naming on the Antarctic Peninsula.

The auction takes place at Cheffins on Thursday from midday. Lots can be viewed today (Tuesday, 24 October) from 2-5pm and 11am- 7pm tomorrow (Wednesday, 25 October). For details, visit www.cheffins.co.uk

Posted: 10|24|06 at 4:26 pm. Filed under: UK News.