Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914—Shackleton | Signed menu card for dinner at the 'HB' club, 31 March 1914

Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914—Sir Ernest Shackleton

Signed menu card for dinner at the 'HB' club. 31 March 1914

Bifolium (228 x 182mm.), 4pp., menu to upper cover, black and white photograph of Shackleton with newspaper clipping within, illustration of the explorers on an expedition to rear cover, signed by Frank Wild, Ernest Shackleton and George Marston in pencil below, some spotting, newspaper clipping toned, gutter strengthened with adhesive tape, light soiling to rear cover

This signed menu was produced for a dinner organised by the H.B. Club to wish Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) and his comrades 'Bon Voyage' for their upcoming Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, hosted at Oddenino's Imperial Restaurant on Regent Street, London. The dinner took place on 31 March 1914, and the Endurance set sail on its fateful voyage on 8 August the same year.

Ernest Shackleton's signature is joined by two of his crewmates, Frank Wild and George Marston. Frank Wild (1873-1939) claimed ancestry to Captain James Cook through his mother, and participated in five Antarctic expeditions from 1901 to 1922, earning a Polar Medal with four bars. George Marston (1882-1940) was an artist who accompanied Scott on two of his Antarctic expeditions, Nimrod and the Imperial Trans-Antarctic. Marston was instrumental to the production of the Aurora Australis, contributing sketches and lithographs to the publication.