Star Sales

1. Adventure on Ice

Estimate £4,000–£6,000 Sold £21,500

A unique piece of Polar history sold in Bonhams’ Travel & Exploration sale earlier this year, far exceeding its estimate. The watercolour, featuring a coat of arms flanked by emperor penguins, was the front cover of ‘journal of 1902–3, produced on ice by members of Captain Scott’s first expedition to the Antarctic. ‘was the brainchild of Ernest Shackleton. ‘Artefacts associated with Polar exploration are in great demand from institutions and private collectors, inspired by the courage of the explorers and their sense of adventure,’ explains Matthew. ‘This particular work – which was bought by a private collector – appealed to both book collectors as part of the genesis of Antarctic literature, and to art buyers as a watercolour by an Antarctic adventurer.’