[Sir Vivian Fuchs, Antarctic explorer.] Autograph Signature ('V. E. Fuchs | 1968') to illustration of the R. R. S. Shackleton, with anonymous typed note explaining why the picture was signed.

8 x 12 cm illustration of a ship in polar waters, cut from book or periodical, with bold signature at bottom right: 'V. E. Fuchs | 1968'. Laid down on piece of white paper. In fair condition, but with slight bleeding of ink from signature towards foot of paper. Accompanying the item is an unsigned typed note by the recipient of the autograph, on a 4to piece of paper. It reads: 'Antarctic Crossing | The autograph of Sir Vivian Fuchs | The first crossing of the Antarctic continent was completed at 1.47 p.m. on 2 March 1958, after a 2,158 mile trek lasting 99 days from 24th Nov. 1957, from Shackleton Base to Scott Base via the Pole. The crossing party of twelve was led by Dr. (now Sir) Vivian Ernest Fuchs (born 11th Feb 1908) | As you can see in the picture it is of the R.R.S. Shackleton and that is why I got Sir Vivian Fuchs to autograph it.' Anthony Tucker, in his Guardian obituary (13 November 1999), summed up Fuchs's achievements: 'Famous as the leader of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1957-58, during which he met Sir Edmund Hillary at the South Pole and carried out research which established the existence of a huge continental land mass beneath the polar ice cap, Sir Vivian Fuchs [...] was one of the great adventurers, scientist-explorers and expedition organisers of our time. He was director of the Falklands Islands Dependencies Survey from its creation in 1947 and, from 1958-73, the continuing director of its successor, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). His life spanned a period of massive transition in the nature and purposes of exploration.'