SCOTT, Robert Falcon, Captain (1868-1912). Scott's Last Expedition. In Two Volumes. Vol. I being the Journals of Captain R.F. Scott... Vol. II being the Reports of the Journeys & the Scientific Work undertaken by Dr. E.A. Wilson and the Surviving Members of the Expedition. London: Smith, Elder, 1913. 2 volumes, royal 8vo (232 x 163 mm). 9 folding maps (one colored), 262 photographic illustrations on 182 plates, including 5 panoramas, and 24 reproductions of sketches (17 colored); half-titles. Contemporary American tree calf gilt, spins gilt (spine slightly faded with a touch of wear to extremities and joints). Provenance: D.G. Joyce (signature on half-titles, 1913); F. P. Leppingwell (gift inscription 1914, gilt cypher on covers).FIRST EDITION, describing Scott's British Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1913 aboard the Terra Nova, whose mission was to reach the South Pole. The Polar party, including Scott, Wilson, Bowers, Oates, and Evans reached the South Pole on January 12, 1912 only to discover that Amundsen had preceded them by 34 days. The five men died in their tent on the return journey, just 11 miles south of their food depot, and were not found until November. Scott's records and journals were recovered and carried to England for publication. Rosove 290; Spence 1056; Taurus Collection 77.