Items Similar to A Rare ‘Adelie’ Penguin Egg from the Australian 1911-14 Expedition
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
A Rare ‘Adelie’ Penguin Egg from the Australian 1911-14 Expedition
About the Item
A Rare ‘Adelie’ Penguin Egg from the Australian 1911-14 Expedition
Egg, paper, wood
Adelie Land, Antarctic
Early 20th Century
Size: 7cm high, 5.5cm dia. (max) - 2¾ ins high, 2¼ ins dia. (max)
Provenance: F.H. Bickerton
Ex Private collection
cf:
An old note reads: 9, Osborne Place, Plymouth. ‘Adelie Penguin Egg from Adelie Land, Winter ( … ?) of Australian Antarctic Expedition 1911 -14. F.H. Bickerton.’ The egg inscribed in pencil: ‘Adelie Penguin Expedition 1911 - 14 F.H. Bickerton’
For another egg, from the ‘Terra Nova’ expedition, see: Sotheby’s, Travel, Atlases, Maps and Natural History auction, November 2022
The Adelie penguin ‘Pygoscelis Adeliae’ is a species found along the entire coast of the Antarctic continent, the only place where it lives. Together with the emperor penguin, the most southerly distributed of all penguins. The Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-14) Was the first Australian led expedition to the Antarctic. Headed by Douglas Mawson, they explored the largely uncharted Antarctic coast due south of Australia. Francis Howard Bickerton (1889 - 1954) was an explorer, soldier, entrepreneur, big game hunter, aviator and film maker. Not only did he contribute to the Australian Expedition, he was later recruited by Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’ expedition. Apart from collecting this rare egg specimen, the expedition also discovered the Adelie Land Meteorite, which identified the Antarctic region as the richest meteorite field on the face of the planet.
Without doubt, Bickerton’s life and career, war-time antics, hunting expeditions, explorations, business investments, party going in London in the 1920s, were those of ‘legend’. Vita Sackville-West fell passionately in love with Bickerton and asked him to become the father of her child (an honour which he declined) however, she did take Bickerton as the model for Leonard Anquetil, the hero in her best novel, ‘The Edwardians’ (1930).
- Dimensions:Height: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)Diameter: 2.25 in (5.72 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:Eggshell
- Place of Origin:Antarctica
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1911-1914
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9363238241812
About the Seller
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1989
1stDibs seller since 2023
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- A Fine and Rare English Silver Mounted ‘Hanger’Located in London, GBIndistinct silver hallmarks for 1691 Silver, gilt, steel, agate England Late 17th century Size: 58cm long - 22¾ ins long Provenance: Ex Private English collection, Mrs How, ren...Category
Antique Late 17th Century English Arms, Armor and Weapons
MaterialsAgate, Silver, Steel
- A Fine and Rare Silver Mounted Hunting HangerLocated in London, GBA Fine and Rare Silver Mounted Hunting Hanger Displaying a ‘blackamoor’ head to the pommel Steel, silver, stag horn England Late 17th Century Size: 61cm long - 24 ins long Pr...Category
Antique Late 17th Century English Arms, Armor and Weapons
MaterialsSilver, Steel
- A Rare Berlin Silver Gilt Mounted Rock Crystal and Enamel PendantLocated in London, GBA Rare Berlin Silver Gilt Mounted Rock Crystal and Enamel Pendant With a wax ‘Agnus Dei’ oval relief to the reverse Dated 1734 Attributed to the Fromery workshop (Berlin 1685 - 173...Category
Antique 1730s German Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsRock Crystal, Silver, Copper, Enamel
- The ‘Medallic Illustrations of The Holy Scriptures’ by Sir Edward ThomasonLocated in London, GBThe ‘Medallic Illustrations of The Holy Scriptures’ by Sir Edward Thomason inspired by Carlo Maratta (1625 - 1713) An exceptional collection of ‘Sixty Medallions’ contained in their ...Category
Antique 1830s English Religious Items
MaterialsMetal
- A Fine Silver Mounted Hunting HangerLocated in London, GBA Fine Silver Mounted Hunting Hanger The pommel mounted with a silver gilt recumbent lion Steel, silver, agate, leather England Late 17th Century Size: 74cm long - 29¼ ins long / 77cm long - 30¼ ins long (with leather scabbard) Provenance: Ex Private collection cf: For two similar hunting hangers see Finch and Co, catalogue number 25, winter 2015, item number 37 a. and b. The hunting hanger was also a status symbol. Sometimes their ivory or agate handles would be richly embellished with jewels proudly displayed in sets of engraved steel hunting accessories and worn at the belt by European princes. Hunting and forestry officials could be distinguished by the design of their hunting swords...Category
Antique Late 17th Century English Arms, Armor and Weapons
MaterialsAgate, Silver, Steel
- A Finely Carved High Relief of St JohnLocated in London, GBA Finely Carved High Relief of St John Shown holding a candle together with a book Superb colour and patina Oak England 17th Century Size: 32.5cm high, 30cm wide, 11cm deep - 12¾...Category
Antique 17th Century English Religious Items
MaterialsOak
You May Also Like
- 1911, The Lady Claire Dress Form, Very RareLocated in Peekskill, NYI've had an example of this dress form in my personal collection. It's an amazing piece of engineering and one of my favorite items... something I decided to never sell it. The Lady Claire...Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Scientific Instruments
MaterialsIron
- Map of Winter Harbour on Melville Island, Australia by Parry's Expedition, 1821Located in Langweer, NLAntique print titled 'Survey of Winter Harbour Melville Island, June 1820'. Chart of the bay or harbor on Melville Island where William Parry's expedit...Category
Antique 1820s Maps
MaterialsPaper
- Deep Water Diorama of the Galapagos ExpeditionLocated in Norwell, MAFabulous maritime diorama with engraved nameplate "Galapagos Expedition H.M.S. Beagle and Charles Darwin At Islands c. 1831. 3/32 Scale, A. Clark". This project was built by William Hitchcock...Category
1990s North American Models and Miniatures
MaterialsWood
- Australia: The CookbookBy PhaidonLocated in New York City, NYA celebration of Australian cuisine like never before — 350 recipes showcasing the rich diversity of its landscapes and its people. Australia is a true melting pot of cultures and t...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Books
MaterialsPaper
- A Union Jack from Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-1917Located in Lymington, HampshireA Union Jack from Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-1917 This small handmade silk Union Jack Flag was carried by Dr Robert Selbie Clark (1882-1950). It is frame...Category
Early 20th Century British Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsSilk
- Antique Map of the Expedition of Govert Knol by Valentijn, 1726Located in Langweer, NLAntique map titled 'Aftekening der Expeditie van de Hr. Commissaris Govert Cnoll uyt Soerabaja, tot afhalinge van Pangerang Adepati Anom'. Map showing the expedition...Category
Antique 18th Century Maps
MaterialsPaper
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Obsolete Antiques
Prisoner Ring
Lincoln Signature
Antique Engraving American President
1970 Mercedes Benz Unimog 406 Germany
Drop Leaf 6 Legs Cherry 19th Century
Mexican Leather Shield
Tinsel Tree Antique
Antique Cash Register National Cash Registers
Antique National Cash Register
Antique National Cash Registers
French Kepi
Vintage Gas Pump
Vintage Gas Pumps
Antique Knife Cleaner
Antique Telephones Art Collectibles
Autograph Michael Jackson
English Cordite Bucket