I had another opportunity recently to delve into the treasure trove that is the Archives. This time I was looking into the conservation history of our collection of sledging flags. The sledging flags are iconic objects within our collection and appear in many of the photographs taken during the Heroic Era expeditions.
Captain Scott’s birthday dinner. June 6th 1911 at Cape Evans. (Photo: Herbert Ponting)
As SPRI did not have a conservator until I arrived in 2009, objects requiring attention were usually sent out for conservation. This is what happened with the sledging flags. In the past they have all been netted (to provide structural support) and either sewn or adhered on to a hessian covered backboard (well, it was the 1970s). With Naomi’s assistance I was able to track down the when the conservation was done and by whom.
Volume containing Friends of SPRI meeting minutes.
Excerpt from Friends of SPRI Year End Report July 1970
The Friends of SPRI have had a long relationship with the Institute since they were established in 1946. Read more information about the Friends elsewhere on the SPRI website.
N:275 Sledging flag used by Dr E.A. Wilson, Terra Nova Expedition, 1910-12. Note the horizontal splits in the silk.
As this conservation treatment was undertaken over 40 years ago, some of the sledging flags are starting to deteriorate. I will condition assess each flag and take images of any damage or areas of weakness. We will then use this information to apply for funding to conserve the sledging flags most urgently in need of treatment.
(Images © SPRI/Fiona Cahill)
