The silver tea set of a remarkable early 20th century explorer is being auctioned off in London this month.
It was presented to Sir Ernest Shackleton by citizens in New York after his achievements during the Nimrod Expedition and before his legendary Endurance venture near the South Pole. The Edwardian three-piece collection is expected to be sold for approximately £2,500 at an auction held by Roseberys on Sept. 30.
According to the auction house, the set is in admirable shape with only minor scratches and dings.
“Overall, a lovely tea set in good condition commensurate with age,” Roseberys described.
In addition to the three main pieces, the lot also includes a selection of documents and newspaper cuttings related to Shackleton’s exploits. The items can be traced back to his second daughter, Cecily Shackleton.
This collection resided at the Scott Polar Research Institute for nearly a quarter century before coming into the hands of Roseberys this year. Many of Shackleton’s possessions ended up at this University of Cambridge research centre after his passing in 1922.
“This silver tea set is a rare and evocative piece of Shackletoniana,” said Head of Silver and Jewellery Specialist at Roseberys London, Georgina Agnew, in a statement procured by the BBC.
“Not only directly linked to his family and legendary polar expeditions, but also with the distinguished provenance of having been on display at the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge, the very institution he helped to found.”
Image credit: Roseberys Auction House
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Shackleton’s Antarctic tale is extraordinary
The County Kildare-born Irish adventurer is most famous for leading 27 crew members of a shipwreck to safety through seemingly impossible odds. Shackleton and his fellow explorers on the Endurance were forced to undertake a perilous 800-mile lifeboat journey after their ship became trapped and swallowed by the ice.
They were stranded for months before being able to launch the life rafts, surviving on seal meat, penguins, and eventually their sled dogs.
This incredible accomplishment is celebrated as one the greatest survival stories in the history of global exploration. His leadership, courage and mental strength in harrowing circumstances made an indelible mark on the world’s history books.
Three years ago, the Endurance was discovered at the bottom of the Weddell Sea in surprisingly excellent condition.
“The discovery has reignited fascination with Shackleton’s courageous exploits in the pursuit of knowledge,” Roseberys said, “and his story continues to inspire new generations of explorers, scientists, and pioneers today.”
This is the shipwreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance, which sank in the Weddell Sea off Antarctica in 1915. Shackleton & the crew survived her sinking and were rescued in 1916. The wreck wasn’t discovered until 2022, 106 years after sinking, 9,869 feet under the surface. pic.twitter.com/1Kit1CCvQa
— Time Capsule Tales (@timecaptales) February 20, 2024
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Professionals still reference Shackleton’s leadership example
He is still idolized in the workplace today, being commonly cited as a shining example of a leader.
Earlier this year, the co-founder of a British financial infrastructure company referenced Shackleton in a posting aimed at attracting a new senior account manager.
“This position demands the same qualities Shackleton sought: conviction, resilience, and an appetite for meaningful challenge,” said Navro leader Eddie Harrison.
He was also discussed in a Harvard Business Review podcast titled “Crisis Leadership Lessons from Polar Explorer Ernest Shackleton” in April of 2024 and the subject of a blog and YouTube video series called “10 Leadership Lessons from Shackleton” months prior.
“If you’re a leader, a fellow that other fellows look to, you’ve got to keep going,” Shackleton once said.
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