The signed chalk drawings
are to be cleaned and restored
Posted on 12/21/2007 5:36:54 AM PST by yankeedame
Last Updated: Friday, 21 December 2007, 00:02 GMT
The signed chalk drawings
are to be cleaned and restored
Penguin sketches made by Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton have been found in a basement at Cambridge University.
The legendary explorers drew the pictures on blackboards, probably for public lectures, in 1904 and 1909.
Nobody knows how the fragile images, in need of cleaning and restoration, ended up at the University's Scott Polar Research Institute.
Staff are appealing for donations to help preserve the signed chalk drawings and put them on public display.
Chalk and charm
"People often compare Scott and Shackleton in terms of their achievements as explorers and their leadership qualities," said Dr Huw Lewis-Jones, the historian and curator of art who found the images.
"Now, albeit with a smile on our faces, we can judge their artistic abilities as well."
Because they are so special we want to make sure that they are preserved for the future
Heather Lane, librarian
He said they were still trying to trace how the pictures arrived at the institute but he was sure they were authentic.
"Some people may think they look a little crude but I think they are incredibly charming," he added.
"They were drawn at public lectures in front of an enthusiastic audience, to laughter and to cheers, and then signed with a flourish.
"It's like having the explorers' autographs, only more wonderful, because each has signed their name next to a hand-drawn penguin."
Saved from obscurity
Scott made his drawing in 1904, after returning from his voyage aboard the Discovery.
Shackleton, who also took part in the Discovery expedition, made his sketch five years later, after coming within 150km (90 miles) of the South Pole - the furthest south any group had been at the time.
"Because they are so special we want to make sure that they are preserved for the future," said Heather Lane, librarian and keeper at the Scott Polar Research Institute.
"We've managed to save these penguins from obscurity in the basement. Now we want to get them cleaned and restored so that visitors can enjoy them."
Sounds like a serioubs find.
Ooops,..that new Mexican janitor just cleaned all the boards for tomorrow’s lecture circuit. /s
Ping, sir.
I wonder how much time Scott & Shackleton spent discussing the Penguins’ happy feet?
matter-of-factly) Looks like a penguin. (pause)
It's been a long time there, now, has it?
What's it doin' there?
Standin'!
I can see that! (pause)
If it laid an egg, it would roll down the back of the television set.
Ummmm. I hadn't thought of that.
Unless it's a male.
Yes. It looks fairly butch. (pause)
Perhaps it's from next door.
(yelling) NEXT DOOR?!? Penguins don't come from NEXT DOOR! They come from the Antarctic!
(yet louder) BURMA!!!
Why did you say Burma?
I panicked.
Oh.
Perhaps it's from the zoo.
Which zoo?
(angrily) How should I know which zoo it's from?!? I'm not Doctor bloody Bernofsky!!
How would Doctor Bernofsky know which zoo?
He knows everything.
Oooh, I wouldn't like that, that'd take all the mystery out of life.
Ooops,..that new Mexican janitor just cleaned all the boards for tomorrow’s lecture circuit. /sLOLOLOLOL!
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Thanks ConservativeMind! When I saw what this was, igloo my mind. Whomever saved the sketcbes, well, glacier knew what they were doing. |
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This looks like something for someone who actually knows about penguins.... ;o]
Penguin Ping
They replied, "Oh we just go out and find a penguin and have our way with it."
After a few weeks, my friend got desperate and went out, grabbed a penguin and started to have his way with it. Suddenly, peals of laughter broke out behind him and he turned to see the two old Chiefs laughing and pointing at him.
He said, "What? Isn't this what you told me you guys do?"
The two Chiefs said, "Yeah. But you picked the ugliest one!"
I have my doubts about their authenticity. The institute can’t trace them, they have no history of ownership, we’re in a revival of interest in Antarctica illustrated in several best-sellers on Scott and Shackleton published the last few years, the sketches seem extremely crude and difficult to verify on their own sake, and finally, who autographs lecture notes on a chalkboard?
That’s so obviously one of those myths. Everyone knows you have to use a seal...
I can’t help but be reminded of the late-70s book by Kliban, “How To Draw Cats”.
“Seals Lie!”
I really enjoy Kliban’s stuff.
It’s always best to have a tight seal.
L
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