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Antarctica Collection
Image: Antarctic sledge (1907)
Source: Museum Victoria
Museum Victoria holds a significant collection of items relating to the history of Antarctic exploration. These items are mostly images, items of clothing, scientific instruments, artefacts relating to expeditioners' entertainments, philatelic items from Antarctica and medals and other awards. They range through the entire history of Antarctic exploration from early maritime exploration of Antarctica through the Heroic Era of Antarctic exploration to the modern era of scientific exploration and Antarctic tourism.
The main collection groups are:
Phillip Law Collection: Phillip Garth Law (1912-2010) led the Australian exploration of Antarctica for 17 years as Director of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE). During this period ANARE operated from Melbourne. Following his retirement in 1966, Law actively promoted Antarctic heritage and compiled an extensive historical collection relating to Antarctic exploration and research. The Phillip Law Collection of over 1400 items, includes photos, clothing, philatelic covers, banners and plaques - mostly items used by, or presented to Dr Law.
George Rayner Collection: Rayner was a British photographer and biologist based at the research station at Grytviken in the Falkland Islands from around 1928 to 1939. He took part in a number of sub-Antarctic voyages as a member of the scientific staff of the Discovery II research vessel. The primary focus of his research was to establish the seasonal migration patterns of whales. Discovery II and Rayner also participated in the rescue of American aviator Lincoln Ellsworth in 1935-36. Rayner was also an avid photographer of his sub-Antarctic environment. The collection includes photos, clothing, camera and trunk.
The Antarctic Collection also includes items from earlier expeditions including those of Robert Scott (1901-1904), Ernest Shackleton (1907-09 and 1914-17) and Douglas Mawson (1911-1914 and 1929-1931). It includes clothing from Scott’s Discovery expedition, an ice sledge used by Bertram Armytage on Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition and meteorological equipment from the Ross Sea party of Shackleton’s Trans-Antarctic Expedition. There is also material from modern expeditions to Antarctica, Antarctic tourism and environmental campaigns relating to Antarctica.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 10) 83 items
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Camera - Sanderson, Junior, Quarter Plate, circa 1900
Sanderson Junior Model Quarter Plate camera with one plate. Used by George Rayner in Antarctica 1927-1939.
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Photograph - 'Portrait of J.H. Close', Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914
Photograph of J.H. Close taken by Frank Hurley on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914. Part of a collection of Antarctic exploration documents and photographs. Close worke ...
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Photograph - by George Rayner, Beascochea Bay, Antarctica, 1927-1939
Photograph taken during a series of scientific expeditions undertaken in the waters off Antarctica, during the late 1920s and 1930s. Probably taken by George W. Rayner, who was employed ...
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Ski Boots - Tricouni Brevete, Phillip Law, 1960-1966
These traditional ski boots boots made by Tricouni Brevete were used in ski resorts generall y in the 1960s. They were used by Phillip G. Law from 1960 onwards in Antarctica - only wit ...
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Medal - Polar Medal 1904, King George V, Great Britain, 1914-1917
Great Britain, Polar Medals Antarctic Exploration Polar Medal 1904 - George V in silver with bars ANTARCTIC 1914-16 & 1917 Awarded to : A.K. Jack Other Details: Polar medal, awarded to ...
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Deck Plan - HMAS Wyatt Earp, 1947
Plan of the forward deck of antarctic research ship HMAS Wyatt Earp showing space available for storage of the RAAF Vought Kingfisher floatplane used on its exploration voyage. Drawn by ...
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Photograph - by George Rayner, Antarctica, 1934
Part of a series of photographs created by George Rayner in Antarctica and sub-antarctic islands during the early 1930s.
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Cap - Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE), Black Leather
Experimental issue black leather cap designed by Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) and worn in Antarctica. Part of Museum Victoria's collection of artefacts fr ...
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Compass - Andrew Jack, Trans- Antarctic Expedition, Ross Sea Party, 1914-1917
Compass used by Andrew Jack on sledging journeys as part of the Ross Sea party of the Trans- Antarctic Expedition 1914-1917 led by Ernest Shackleton. This is part of Museum Victoria's c ...
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Muff - Emperor Penguin, Stanley Taylor, circa 1913
Emperor Penguin muff, which came with a matching stole, made from a penguin pelt brought back from the Antarctic by Australian Stanley Taylor. Stanley Gordon Roberts Taylor was Leading ...
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