A complete 12-volume set of scientific reports. Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition. Antarctic,Polar,Science

Together 12 volumes. 8vo. various paginations; occasional diags., tables, sketch maps, photo. illiusts.; very good in original printed wrappers, stapled as issued, minor rusting to staples, now contained in a purpose-made fall-down-back box. Provenance: All but one with the ownership inscription of Raymond J. Adie, report 6 with the ownership inkstamp of V. E. Fuchs, final report inscribed to title-page "Best wishes Finn Ronne". Finn Ronne's private Antarctic expedition of 1947-8 was funded by the American Geographical Society, the Office of Naval Research, and the North American Newspaper Alliance. "His objectives were to . . . explore the Weddell Sea's coastline and mountain ranges on the Palmer Peninsula, conduct aerial and surface mapping, determine if the Weddell and Ross Seas connected, and complete an extensive scientific program" (Conrad). The expedition successfully "explored over 250,000 square miles for the first time and took over 14,000 photos - with ground control - of 450,000 additional square miles" (Conrad). The scientific reports from the expedition are uncommon, and complete sets rarely come onto the market. This set once belonged to Raymond Adie, onetime director of the Scott Polar Research Institute, who spent the winters of 1947-9 in the Antarctic, making many sledge journeys with Vivian Fuchs (former owner of report 6).