The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

A vintage photograph of the 12 members of Sir Vivian Fuchs's party smiling to camera in front of a Snow-Cat, [1958], gelatin silver print, image size 24 x 24 cm, signed in the lower blank margin by all 12 members: V.E. Fuchs, Hal Lister, Ralph Lenton, Ken Blaiklock, George Lowe, Alan Rogers, Geoff Pratt, David Pratt, David Stratton, Jon Stephenson, Hannes la Grange and Roy Homard, various pens, light vertical crease to left margin from top of image to foot, heavier diagonal crease to lower blank area running across one signature only, framed and glazed, 34.5 x 29.5 cm overall; some signatures rather faded, the contemporary frame with worn areas. The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1955-1958 was a Commonwealth-sponsored expedition that successfully completed the first overland crossing of Antarctica, via the South Pole. It was the first expedition to reach the South Pole overland for 46 years, preceded only by Amundsen's expedition and Scott's expedition in 1911 and 1912. Fuchs was knighted for his accomplishment. The second overland crossing of the continent did not occur until 1981, during the Transglobe Expedition led by Ranulph Fiennes. The National Library of New Zealand has a signed group photo of the crossing party described as 'some of the signatures are very faded and have water damage'.