programme, menu and toast list for the Royal Scottish Geographical Society 20th Anniversary Banquet

A gatefold programme, menu and toast list for the Royal Scottish Geographical Society twentieth anniversary banquet on the 23rd of November 1904.

The twentieth anniversary of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society was marked with a banquet that celebrated the National Antarctic Expeditions that had recently returned: The National Antarctic Expedition under Captain Robert Scott, and the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition under William Bruce. At this time Discovery Expedition Officer, Ernest Shackleton was secretary of the Society. The banquet was attended by Captain Scott, Sir Clements Markham (funder of the National Antarctic Expedition) and Dr. Bruce.

This combined programme, menu and toast list was probably commissioned by Shackleton for the Society, and incorporates portraits of those present, and illustrations after originals by Burn Murdoch, a member of the Scotia expedition.
The inside leaves feature a central sketch of two explorers toasting each other above the Saltire and Union Flag with the expedition ships Discovery and Scotia to the background, flanked by vignettes of penguins, seals, and a sledging team, all after originals by W. G. Burn Murdoch. The external leaves feature portraits of Robert F. Scott, Wm. S. Bruce and Sir Clements Markham.

Purchased with support from the National Fund for Acquisitions.