Shackleton, Ernest, The Heart of the Antarctic: Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909, volumes 1 and 2, together with The Antarctic Book: Winter Quarters, 1909, Heinemann, London, first edition, number 133 of 300 deluxe copies. Signed and inscribed by Shackleton on the fly leaf of volume 1; Antarctic Book signed by Shackleton as well as his shore party and Aeneas Mackintosh; Antarctic Book also with 2 page handwritten letter from Shackleton to the former owner tipped-in to the front blank. Hardcovers, original full vellum and vellum backed boards, 11 x 9 inches, gilt title and design, teg, illustrated throughout, volume 2 with 4 fold-out maps in the pocket at the rear. The inscription in Volume 1 reads: To Marc Klaw, with kindest thoughts(?) and in appreciation of his liking "South": these volumes of a former voyage are given by Ernest Shackleton, June 1921. Shackleton also adds a 4 line poem that he modified from James Elroy Flecker’s “God Save the King”: Dawn lands for youth to reap / Dim lands where empires sleep / And all that dolphined deep / Where the ships swing. The letter in Antarctic Book is to the same recipient and is dated June 30, 1921. The letter is filled with emotion and Shackleton's wish to one day name "either a mountain or cape or island after you"(!). The recipient, Marcus Alonzo Klaw (1858-1936), was a lawyer and theater producer who was one of the 6 founders of the Theatrical Syndicate. Klaw's son Spencer married Carl van Doren's daughter Barbara in 1941. Provenance: The Klaw-van Doren family of Connecticut. One of the true high points of Antarctic expedition books. In good condition, unmarked contents, sound bindings; light bowing and discoloration to the vellum; mild foxing throughout, mostly contained to the first and last 50 pages of each volume; slight musty odor. Merchandise will be packed and transported by the purchaser at their own risk and expense. A list of recommended shippers is on our website: https://www.conceptgallery.com/auctions/shipping/