The star highlight of our charity auction, the winning bidder will enjoy a superb, once in a lifetime, 10-day cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands for two people.

The cruise, worth $22,000 (£16,000), has been generously donated by Albatros Expeditions, and will take place from 10-19 December 2021 on Albatros' new luxury ship Ocean Victory. The dates are fully transferable if postponed.

The lucky bidder will depart from South America in December, visiting the South Shetland Islands and down to the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula. Small boats will land you at penguin rookeries, research stations and fascinating lookouts along the way. The ship will sail deep into the inlets of Antarctica, including the famous Gerlache Strait, where 3,000ft ice cliffs rise straight out of the still water. As Albatros Expeditions say: “On no other journey can you experience so much pristine nature and varied wildlife in so few days!”

Read more about the trip at:
https://albatros-expeditions.com/expeditions/antarctica/south-shetland-islands-and-antarctic-peninsula

We will also provide a pre-departure catch up with the UKAHT/SGHT team to offer our top tips for the region!

If have any questions at all about this prize or would like to discuss it with us, please email andrew.davies@sght.org or camilla.johns@ukaht.org. Flights are not included, but we will provide our recommendations for a travel provider to book your transfers to and from South America.

Each year, UKAHT normally has a team to open Port Lockroy for the austral summer to welcome visitors from across the world to the world’s most southerly public post office, gift shop and living museum which is home to artefacts from many of the historic bases. Proceeds from the gift shop and post office help to support the operation of Port Lockroy and safeguard other British historic sites which UKAHT manage on the continent.

This special Port Lockroy Union flag was flown on site for the 2019-20 season. Due to the Antarctic conditions we often have to replace our flag, so this is your unique chance to bring a little piece of Port Lockroy into your home.

60cm x 100cm

https://www.ukaht.org/heritage/port-lockroy-a-brief-history/

This adorable little gentoo penguin pendant has been created by British jewellery designer, sculptor and artist Lucy Stopes-Roe.

Lucy's nature-inspired creations are finished by hand, and all stages of design and casting take place on a small scale and within a 5-mile radius of her London studio.

This is a lovely gift - everyone loves a penguin!

Sterling silver.

1.6cm tall.

http://www.lucystopesroe.com

Estimated value: £95 / $130

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Vice Patron of UKAHT, has spent much of his life exploring and working in conditions of extreme cold. With the many adventures he has led over the past 40 years, testing his limits of endurance to the maximum, he deservedly holds the title of 'the world's greatest explorer'.

Both historically questioning and intensely personal, Cold: Extreme Adventures at the Lowest Temperatures on Earth is a celebration of a life dedicated to researching and exploring some of the most hostile and brutally cold places on earth. Sir Ranulph has signed a copy of this book especially for the lucky bidder!

http://www.ranulphfiennes.co.uk/

An expressive painting that captures the power of the glacial landscapes of the Antarctic, with its fragments and contrasts. Inspired by her travels to the region, Helen's paintings are generally abstract and encapsulate the Arctic and Antarctic.

Following a First-Class Honours BA in Fine Art from Oxford Brookes, Helen has developed techniques that include using a mixture of oil paint and cold wax to build up layers to create texture and to scratch into and reveal the surfaces beneath. Her paintings are very much about the paint; manipulating it in an experimental way to create a sense of curiosity which echoes the curiousness of the subject. The painting is beautifully set off in a simple white wooden frame.

Framed dimensions: 64cm x 46cm x 3.5cm

https://www.helenjyoung.com

Estimated value: £500 / $695

This one-off brick-quilted black jacket from Patagonia’s Nano Puff® range, comprises a lightweight 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell with a durable water repellent finish, 100% recycled 60-g PrimaLoft® insulation and hand warmer pockets. The lucky winner will receive the jacket in their choice size and fit! (imagery shows both M & F fitting).

In 1991, seven companies that had already been operating expeditions to Antarctica for several years founded the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators – a global, non-profit industry alliance dedicated to safe and responsible private-sector travel to the White Continent. Today IAATO’s membership is comprised of more than 100 respected companies from across the world, each working to ensure the protection and preservation of the unique place that is Antarctica.

To mark the 30th anniversary of its mission to advocate and promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector Antarctic tourism, IAATO, which is proud to count UKAHT and SGHT among its membership, is offering a limited-edition branded jacket displaying its 30th anniversary commemorative logo and Antarctic Ambassador patch.

https://iaato.org/

Estimated value: £180 / $250

Michael is an award-winning artist who recently won the international competition to design a new sculpture to reflect the environmental recovery of South Georgia Island.

His work is a subtle reflection on the natural and man-made countryside. He works in wood, metal, card, thread, paint, rope and resin to make evocative objects. His subjects reflect nature, landscape, the built environment and the human trace. His themes explore the world of science, the character of geology and ‘place’, and the sense of human impact on habitat. Having trained at Glasgow School of Art and elected to the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture at a relatively young age in 2005, Visocchi has gathered a significant reputation for public and private sculpture. Notable commissions include his memorial to the Bicentenary of the Abolition of Transatlantic Slave Trade entitled The Gilt Of Cain situated in the City of London. He was also the recipient of the prestigious Jerwood Sculpture Prize in 2009.

Linescape 1 extends Michael's fascination with human preoccupation with measuring and surveying land and excavating and altering the landscape.

Wall mounted boxed, and glazed sculpture in plywood, beech, resin and paint in an oak frame.

94cm x 126cm x 11cm

https://michaelvisocchi.com/

Read about the commission at: http://www.sght.org/commission-grytviken-whaling-station-south-georgia/

Estimated value: £3,600 / $5,000

A British Antarctic Territory (BAT) sheetlet featuring a beautiful image of Horseshoe Base Y (Historic Site & Monument No.63) mounted in a simple black frame.

Horseshoe (67°48'S, 67°18'W) was established as a scientific base in March 1955 and closed in August 1960, and is now in the care of UKAHT. Research carried out there included geology, meteorology and topographic surveys, and extensive survey trips covering hundreds of miles were undertaken using dog teams and sledges.

Estimated value: £50 / $70

Double Signed Copy and First Test Print: When Your Life Depends on It: Extreme Decision Making Lessons from the Antarctic, Brad Borkan and David Hirzel

Grab an ice pick. This book puts you right into the action of the life-and-death decisions made by early Antarctic explorers. It is packed with unforgettable stories about the challenges and decisions they faced. Discover 11 of the most thrilling survival stories in the history of exploration and the true tales of courage, resilience and even humor in the most risky and dangerous circumstances.

This special copy from the author’s personal collection reveals what we can learn from their situations to help us improve our modern-day decision making.

The book was awarded first place in the Chanticleer International Book Awards (Instructional and Insightful Non-Fiction Category). Since one author lives in London, and the other is in California, there are exceedingly few books signed by both authors (less than 40 in existence).

This copy is highly desirable as is it from the very first test print run of the first edition of the book.

https://extreme-decisions.com/

Estimated value: £50 / $70

In 2006, 11 bottles of MacKinlay’s Old Highland Malt Whisky were discovered under the floor of Ernest Shackleton’s hut at Cape Royds, dating from Shackleton’s British Antarctic Expedition 1907-09. It was an extraordinary discovery.

Scottish distillery, Whyte & Mackay, who took over from MacKinlay, then took on the challenge of creating a very successful replica for everyone to enjoy. This is a gorgeous, blended malt whisky with notes of vanilla, honey and orchard fruits.

This signed bottle is from the personal collection of Sir Ernest Shackleton's granddaughter, Alexandra Shackleton.

70cl, with box.

Estimated value: £50 / $70

This is your chance to enjoy an informal lunch and a glass of wine with a real life penguinologist who specialises in studying our favourite birds!

Dr Tom Hart has a passion for wildlife in extreme environments and his main loves in the Polar Regions are South Georgia and macaroni penguins; South Georgia because it is amazing and macaroni penguins because they share his special outlook on life! Tom runs the Penguin Watch project at Oxford University, through which he seeks to understand changes in Antarctic wildlife using time-lapse cameras.

The winning bidder can choose their location of London, Cambridge or Oxford UK and we'll arrange the rest! You can ask as many penguin questions as you like.

http://www.penguinwatch.org

Estimated value: £250 / $350 (UK based)

Doug Cocker is one of Scotland’s finest sculptors and his work features in private and public collections throughout the UK. Doug's works were chosen for the auction because of his connections with Michael Visocchi and the special commission for South Georgia’s new sculpture, Commensalis.

Born in Perthshire, Cocker studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art (1963-68) and has held teaching and lecturer posts at Nene College in Northampton, University of Edinburgh, Glasgow School of Art, Grays School of Art and his alma mater.

Cocker’s work reflects his family’s blacksmith and farming heritage. His work often focuses on nature and its strength and power and he works in natural materials like wood. He is inspired by all landscapes, local and remote especially the movement within them. Seasons and weather patterns alter the landscape which provides him with bountiful resource material. These unique landscapes are transformed into multiple sculptural forms using sourced material from his immediate landscape.

In GEOGRAPHY 2-35 the construction of form and line truly transforms the locally sourced natural wood it is made from into a one of a kind piece of art.

Materials: Wood Hollow Box Construction. 46cm x 30cm x 4cm

https://www.royalscottishacademy.org/members/doug-cocker/

Estimated value: £300 / $420

Doug Cocker is one of Scotland’s finest sculptors and his work features in private and public collections throughout the UK.

Cocker's substantial and iconic portfolio of work can span from large scale public artworks to large scale wall hangings to stand alone sculptures, ranging in scale.

Doug's works were chosen for the auction because of his connections with Michael Visocchi and the special commission for South Georgia’s new sculpture Commensalis.

Born in Perthshire, Cocker studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art (1963-68) and has held teaching and lecturer posts at Nene College in Northampton, University of Edinburgh, Glasgow School of Art, Grays School of Art and his alma mater.

Cocker’s work reflects his family’s blacksmith and farming heritage. His work often focuses on nature and its strength and power and he works in natural materials like wood. He is inspired by all landscapes, local and remote especially the movement within them. Seasons and weather patterns alter the landscape which provides him with bountiful resource material. These unique landscapes are transformed into multiple sculptural forms using sourced material from his immediate landscape.

In GEOGRAPHY 2-36 the locally sourced materials it is made from are manipulated to highlight the form and texture of the piece.

Wood Hollow Box Construction. 46cm x 30cm x 3cm

https://www.royalscottishacademy.org/members/doug-cocker/

Estimated value: £300 / $420

Have you dreamed of skiing at Aspen Snowmass in the stunning Colorado Mountains? Enjoy a fantastic All Day Private Ski Lesson with Denise Landau, President of Friends of South Georgia Island (www.fosgi.org) and Trustee of South Georgia Heritage Trust.

Denise has more than 40 years of experience teaching skiing in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. The All Day package (9am to 3pm) can be used and enjoyed for up to 5 people of any age (lift tickets are not included).

Aspen Snowmass is a world-class skiing and snowboarding destination and has endless opportunities for wintry adventures with 94 trails, plenty of lifts and just one lift ticket. For après-ski there are plenty of great options to play, eat and sleep. You could make your All Day Ski Lesson just part of a wonderful winter vacation!

https://www.aspensnowmass.com/

Estimated value: £680 / $950 (US based)

Born in Alyth 1960, Allan grew up on farms in Perthshire but has lived and worked in Aberdeen since 1982. Between 1994 and 2016 he taught sculpture at Gray’s School of Art during which time he held various roles including Head of Fine Art. Throughout his academic career, Allan continued with his art practice, participating in a wide range of projects.

Predominantly working with wood his sculptures exploit the tensions between 2 and 3 dimensions, playing with flat surfaces, edges, lines, shape and form.

Allan Watson was on the pre-selection and final selection panel for the special commission for South Georgia’s new sculpture by Michael Visocchi.

Plywood, panel pins and acrylic paint. 80cm x 38cm x 60cm

Estimated value: £1,000 / $1,400

A beautiful watercolour of Discovery Hut, the site built by Robert Falcon Scott during the Discovery Expedition of 1901–1904, and located at Hut Point, Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.

A joint initiative between the Royal Geographic Society and the Royal Society, the expedition was the second to winter over on the Antarctic continent and was a landmark in British Antarctic exploration, resulting in Scott returning to Britain as a hero. His base became an important staging post for every subsequent heroic-era expedition.

Dr Dafila Scott painted this watercolour on her visit to her grandfather's hut in 2020. After training and working as a zoologist, inspired by her father Peter, she turned to drawing and painting. She studied under Robin Child at Lydgate Art Research Centre in Wiltshire. Much of her work is inspired by wildlife and landscape as well as animals or places with which she has become familiar. In 2014 she won the Birdwatch/Swarovski prize at the Society of Wildlife Artists annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London.

https://www.dafilascott.co.uk/

Unframed watercolour. 22cm x 18cm.

Estimated value: £300 / $420

The intention of a map is to mirror from evidence the geographical location of a place. In the case of the early hand drawn maps, it is the imagination of the artist or explorer that the maps more accurately describe. This print represents a small selection of work from Elaine Shemilt’s current research.

Widely respected as an artist and researcher, Shemilt is a Professor of Fine Art Printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (University of Dundee) and Artistic Director of the Centre for Remote Environments. She has exhibited internationally including the Hayward Gallery, Imperial War Museum, ICA London, Edinburgh International Festival, MACRO Roma, Bibliotheque Nationale de France and at Casa Goldoni Museum, Venice. Since 2018 her work has been touring within the exhibition Feminist Avant-Garde of the 1970s from the SAMMLUNG VERBUND Collection, Vienna to Stavanger Art Museum, Stavanger, Norway; Dům umění města Brna, Brno, Czech Republic; Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, Spain, and the International Center of Photography, New York City in 2020. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Geographers and Royal Society of Arts.

In this print, Elaine has recreated the locations in geographical exactness in response to what she knows about South Georgia. The rest is invented. Each print is one of a set of just 15 and is signed on the back by the artist. Also included in this lot is the artist’s book, Deep Time.

Materials: Screen-print on Reeves BFK handmade paper. 75cm x 55cm

Estimated value: £400 / $550

The intention of a map is to mirror from evidence the geographical location of a place. In the case of the early hand drawn maps, it is the imagination of the artist or explorer that the maps more accurately describe. This print represents a small selection of work from Elaine Shemilt’s current research.

Widely respected as an artist and researcher, Shemilt is a Professor of Fine Art Printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (University of Dundee) and Artistic Director of the Centre for Remote Environments. She has exhibited internationally including the Hayward Gallery, Imperial War Museum, ICA London, Edinburgh International Festival, MACRO Roma, Bibliotheque Nationale de France and at Casa Goldoni Museum, Venice. Since 2018 her work has been touring within the exhibition Feminist Avant-Garde of the 1970s from the SAMMLUNG VERBUND Collection, Vienna to Stavanger Art Museum, Stavanger, Norway; Dům umění města Brna, Brno, Czech Republic; Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, Spain, and the International Center of Photography, New York City in 2020. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Geographers and Royal Society of Arts.

In this print, Elaine has recreated the locations in geographical exactness in response to what she knows about South Georgia. The rest is invented. Each print is out of a set of just 15 and is signed on the back by the artist. Also included in this lot is the artist’s book, Deep Time.

Materials: Screen-print on Reeves BFK handmade paper.

75cm x 55cm

The intention of a map is to mirror from evidence the geographical location of a place. In the case of the early hand drawn maps, it is the imagination of the artist or explorer that the maps more accurately describe. This print represents a small selection of work from Elaine Shemilt’s current research.

Widely respected as an artist and researcher, Shemilt is a Professor of Fine Art Printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (University of Dundee) and Artistic Director of the Centre for Remote Environments. She has exhibited internationally including the Hayward Gallery, Imperial War Museum, ICA London, Edinburgh International Festival, MACRO Roma, Bibliotheque Nationale de France and at Casa Goldoni Museum, Venice. Since 2018 her work has been touring within the exhibition Feminist Avant-Garde of the 1970s from the SAMMLUNG VERBUND Collection, Vienna to Stavanger Art Museum, Stavanger, Norway; Dům umění města Brna, Brno, Czech Republic; Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, Spain, and the International Center of Photography, New York City in 2020. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Geographers and Royal Society of Arts.

In this print, Elaine has recreated the locations in geographical exactness in response to what she knows about South Georgia. The rest is invented. Each print is out of a set of just 15 and is signed on the back by the artist. Also included in this lot is the artist’s book, Deep Time.

Materials: Screen-print on Reeves BFK handmade paper. 75cm x 55cm

The intention of a map is to mirror from evidence the geographical location of a place. In the case of the early hand drawn maps, it is the imagination of the artist or explorer that the maps more accurately describe. This print represents a small selection of work from Elaine Shemilt’s current research.

Widely respected as an artist and researcher, Shemilt is a Professor of Fine Art Printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (University of Dundee) and Artistic Director of the Centre for Remote Environments. She has exhibited internationally including the Hayward Gallery, Imperial War Museum, ICA London, Edinburgh International Festival, MACRO Roma, Bibliotheque Nationale de France and at Casa Goldoni Museum, Venice. Since 2018 her work has been touring within the exhibition Feminist Avant-Garde of the 1970s from the SAMMLUNG VERBUND Collection, Vienna to Stavanger Art Museum, Stavanger, Norway; Dům umění města Brna, Brno, Czech Republic; Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, Spain, and the International Center of Photography, New York City in 2020. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Geographers and Royal Society of Arts.

Estimated value: £750 / $1050

The Space Pen was first designed and created by Paul Fisher in 1968 to enable astronauts to use pens in space as mankind began to explore the universe.

This special edition Fisher Bullet Space Pen Space Pen in black titanium features the Port Lockroy logo and script ‘Port Lockroy Antarctica’. Presentation box included.

https://www.fisherspacepen.co.uk/

Estimated value: £60 / $85

A fantastic opportunity for music lovers, this is your chance to live the dream and enjoy a day in a fully equipped 40-track recording studio in the beautiful Suffolk UK countryside, with an engineer/producer. You might yourself be in or know a friend or loved one in a small band, ensemble, choir or solo project. This is their chance to record whatever music or podcast they like with expert guidance.

You can use the instruments in the studio and/or can bring your own backing recordings. At the end of the day you'll have a copy of your recording on a CD or data format to take home.

http://www.stupidmusic.org

Estimated value: £500 / $695 (UK based)

This is an original watercolour of the beautiful wildlife and scenery of South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula, painted directly onto an Admiralty Sea chart of the region.

Hannah Lawson is an expedition guide, wildlife artist and photographer who has worked as an expedition guide and leader aboard cruise ships to Antarctica since 2003. She studied zoology at the University of Liverpool, England, and then began work as a wildlife artist and mural painter at Chester Zoo and then lived and worked in East Africa for a year and a half. In Uganda she illustrated a guide book to Kibale Forest National Park and did numerous murals. On return to the UK she gained a Masters in Natural History Illustration from the Royal College of Art in London.

http://www.hanlawson.co.uk/

107 x 72 cm

Estimated value: £1,000 / $1,400

Completely unique, this exquisite wallhanging features images relating to Shackleton’s last expedition on the vessel, Quest. It has been crafted and donated by Dr Catherine Corbishley Michel, a gifted quilter and member of the Quilters' Guild.

The Cyanotype/Blueprint technique dates back to the mid 19th century when the scientist and astronomer Sir John Hirschel invented a beautiful cyan-blue print after exposing a chemistry-coated surface to sunlight.

Catherine has exhibited her work widely and won many prestigious awards including Best Large Wallhanging, Best Art Quilt and Runner up Best in Show at the National Quilt Championships in the UK. Her work relating to Antarctica and South Georgia has been commissioned by several UK museums and displayed in the USA.

100cm square

Estimated value: £350 / $485

Completed on 15 December 2001, Symphony No 8, also called the ‘Antarctic Symphony’ was composed by the late British composer, Peter Maxwell Davies.

“The Antarctic Symphony reflects my experiences in one of the world’s last great wildernesses. I was greatly influenced by my encounter with scientists searching into ways in which the Antarctic will change our environment over the coming centuries — some of the scientific processes I learned about have engendered purely musical processes. The new symphony also reflects my experience of Vaughan Williams’ Sinfonia Antartica, at its first performance in Manchester by the Hallé Orchestra under Sir John Barbirolli in 1953. The work opens, and is punctuated by the sound of breaking ice — heard as the British Antarctic Survey’s Research Vessel James Clark Ross broke through the frozen sea, on its way south.” Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (1934 – 2016)

This set of First Day Covers celebrate this achievement with four individual designed stamps, cancelled (date marked) on the 4 December 2000.

Estimated value: £20 / $28

A delightful oil painting of two Rockhopper penguins by artist Beverly Endsley.

Beverly, who is based in Colorado, USA, visited South Georgia and the Antarctic in 2017. Beverly says that in all her paintings of animals, she wants to celebrate their individual characteristics and spirit and share this with the viewer. She found the Rockhopper Penguins to be ""adorable and grumpy guys"" and named this painting “I Believe You Dropped Something” as she felt she could almost hear the penguins inquiring.

Oil on board. Float mounted in a black frame. 31.75cm x 31.75cm

https://www.beverlyendsley.com

Estimated value: £575 / $800

The South Georgia Pipit is a beautiful little songbird that is completely unique to South Georgia. It is emblematic of the success of the SGHT Habitat Restoration Project which removed the rats from South Georgia. Rodents were introduced up to 200 years ago by whalers and sealers. The Pipit, which had been threatened with extinction, was the very first bird species to recover in the absence of rats.

Michael Skidmore painted Antarctic scenes for over 20 years, based on his experiences with the British Antarctic Survey as a geologist at South Georgia and Halley Bay in the Weddell Sea. In this lovely oil painting, the artist perfectly captures the alert, inquisitive and bold behaviour of this little songbird.

Oil on canvas. 40cm x 30cm

Estimated value: £200 / $280

Yeside Linney, a Nigerian-born artist based in the UK enjoys subjects which take her breath away.

Yeside considers herself an Art pilgrim whose journey is a process of self-discovery. She is inspired by the energy of thought; the texture, or even the smell of a place. This, she says, is what prompts her to reach for a blank canvas. Yeside is inspired by artists such as Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Jean-Michael Basquiat. She says, "I love to be flexible. Hence, my mantra is a nod to David Hockney,” I paint what I like, when I like and where I like”. And I need to paint!"

This powerful, stunning and moody artwork depicting an Antarctic mountainscape was inspired by the photographs taken by her husband on his trip to the Antarctic.

Acrylic on canvas. 60cm x 45.5cm

https://www.yeside.com/

Estimated value: £300 / $420

Yeside Linney, a Nigerian-born artist based in the UK, enjoys subjects which take her breath away.

Yeside considers herself an Art pilgrim whose journey is a process of self-discovery. She is inspired by the energy of thought; the texture, or even the smell of a place. This, she says, is what prompts her to reach for a blank canvas. Yeside is inspired by artists such as Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Jean-Michael Basquiat. She says, "I love to be flexible. Hence, my mantra is a nod to David Hockney,” I paint what I like, when I like and where I like”. And I need to paint!"

This stylised work of the snow, ice and landscape of Antarctica is vivid, immersive and evocative.

Acrylic on canvas. 79cm x 40cm x 3.5cm

Estimated value: £300 / $420

This attractive and very unusual vintage brooch is the perfect gift for a penguin lover and would look dazzling on a jacket.

Quality blue, black and red enamel work is used to great effect amidst the diamond-cut stones. It has a sturdy quality fastening, with just a tiny bit of age-wear to the enamel work but is otherwise in lovely condition.

6cm x 2cm.

Estimated value: £50 / $70

Stonington (68°11'S, 67°00'W) base was established in February 1946 and operated from 1946–50 and again from 1960–75. The building is the second British hut built on the Peninsula and originally used as a base for sledging operations in the area. Now protected Historical Site & Monument No.64, and part of the British Antarctic Territories, UKAHT has undertaken to ensure this building will be conserved for future generations to enjoy both physically and virtually.

This original British Union flag and was flown at Base E whilst the conservation team carried out their initial inspections and remedial repairs. It has been signed by the all of team and is very much a one off.

Estimated value: £200 / $280

Eight Irish men played a significant role in the epic Antarctic expeditions of the 1800s and early 1900s.

At the heart of the pioneering expeditions to Antarctica were County Kildare-born Ernest Shackleton and Kerryman Tom Crean. Two of the better known explorers; their pair have achieved worldwide recognition for their bravery and perseverance.

The other six men featured on the stamps - five from Cork - are perhaps less well known but no less important in the contributions they made to Antarctic exploration.

They include Edward Bransfield from Ballincurra, Co Cork; Patrick Keohane from Courtmacsherry; Bandon's Robert Forde; brothers Mortimer and Tim McCarthy from Kinsale and Francis Crozier from Banbridge, Co Down.

The set is signed by The Hon, Alexandra Shackleton, granddaughter of Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Estimated value: £30 / $40