Beschreibung:

SCOTT'S BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION , 1910-1913 L.H.HAGEN & Co (manufacturers). A pair of wood skis, [circa 1910], 84¼ x 3¾inches (216.5 x 9.5cm.), the upper surface varnished, with iron and leather boot-fixings and linoleum pad, blindstamped 'L.H.Hagen & Co Christiania.' A bamboo ski pole, [circa 1910], 58 inches (147cm.) high, varnished, with leather wrist strap, rattan, leather and iron basket, and iron terminal spike. Provenance : V. Duncan Carse (gift to the vendor's father in circa 1948). HIGHLY EVOCATIVE MEMENTO OF SCOTT'S FINAL EXPEDITION. The present skis are similar in style to modern Langlauf skis, and were employed with only a single ski-pole. Scott was converted to the use of skis during a visit to Nansen in Norway. Nansen arranged a meeting between Scott and Tryggve Gran (a Polar novice but an expert skier). 'Nansen arranged the meeting at Hagen's, the shop where Scott was going to buy his sledges. Hagen's was a large ski and sporting goods manufacturer, internationally famous for fitting out expeditions... Nansen had a particular reason for this mis-en-scéne . Scott's unreasoning aversion to skis -- another outcome of the Discovery expedition -- seemed to Nansen crass stupidity... At a suitable moment, as Tryggve Gran recollected in after years, Nansen turned to Scott and said Now you're going to take ski with you. Shackleton didn't take ski and [he] told me... if he had known how to use ski he would have reached the pole... But remember, it's no use having ski unless you know how to use them properly. You ought to [let] a Norwegian show [you]. Well. if you can point out a man who can show me, says Scott, I would be very thankful to you. So [Nansen] knocked me on the shoulder and said, well, Gran, can't you do it? And I said, withg the greatest pleasure." (Huntford Scott and Amundsen pp.275-276). Gran was able to prove the worth of the skis the following day. After an accident to the Wolseley motor sledge, repairs were needed to the axle. This work could only be done in the workshop in the valley. Gran made the return trip of ten miles, with the 25lb. weight on his back, in 5 hours. On the strength of this performance Scott was not only converted to the use of skis but also invited Gran to join the expedition as the skiing expert. Duncan Carse [see provenance] was on the Discovery II Expedition 1932-33, The British Grahamland Expedition 1934-37 and on the South Georgia Survey 1954-58. (3)