'Ladybird' Captain Scott book at 'Vals' not far from Rothera.

Photo: Priscila Buschinelli

Photo: Priscila Buschinelli

Photo: Herbert Ponting

I have worked with the children's Ladybird books in the past and took this copy of `Captain Scott' with me to the Antarctic.

In this famous image by Herbert Ponting of Scott at his desk in his hut I couldn't help but notice that on the left he was using empty packing cases as bookshelves.

Many of Herbert Ponting's images are reproduced by Ladybird in the book. They are not direct copies of the photographs but illustrations in colour using the original photographs as source material. Many of the early Ladybird books were illustrated with images from photographs. The results often gave a soft focus image of the world, or even an other worldly representation of reality in tasteful colours. I often think they give the same effect of instant nostalgia as a Super 8 cine film.

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In the open book on top of the crate can just be seen the Ladybird representation of Ponting's image of Scott at this desk. Photo: Priscila Buschinelli