Original book of sketches and observations - 1905 - W S Pillans FRSGS

This is something quite special and a very rare original find. This has lived with me for many years but it is time for it to find a new home. Summer Scenes in Shetland, Sketched from Memory by W S Pillans was written and illustrated by Pillans in 1905. It is largely focused on whaling and seal hunting. The 21 pages of sketches are very well executed and could certainly be framed but given there is also an account of his experiences written in very elegant handwriting I was reluctant to separate them from their context. While the subject of whale and seal hunting may not appeal broadly to a modern audience it is nonethless fascinating and his treatment of the boats, whaling station and in particular tools are impressively realised.

The ribbon that wrapped around the sketchbook is unfortunately broken and there are a couple of probably contemporary ink stains on the cover. There is a tear in the front page along the spine. There is a little bit of age related discolouration and foxing but nothing significant. Overall it's in very good condition.

The artist and author of this totally unique one-off collection was William Soltau Pillans. The National Library provides the following information about him:

Pillans, William Soltau, 1849-1915

Artist and explorer. Son of Col W S and Maria Louisa Pillans. Came to Otago with his mother in 1867 after his father's death, and managed Manuka Island Station for his uncle Francis Pillans (1810-1889). In 1886 with Thomas Mackenzie and others he explored the Tahakopa estuary and Tautuku bush area. In 1888 they travelled by ship to Milford Sound to seek an overland route to Te Anau. In 1893 Mackenzie and Pillans took part in an unsuccessful search for Quintin McKinnon, and in 1894 searched for a route to the West Coast from the head of Lake Manapouri. Pillans Head in the Catlins and Pillans Pass and Pillans Peak in Fiordland are named after him. His drawings appeared in the Otago Witness. A skilled woodcarver he carved an eagle for the lectern in St Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin. He later lived at Otumoetai, Tauranga, where Pillans Road and Pillans Point are named after him. [Source: Southern people; a dictionary of Otago Southland biography, 1998] https://natlib.govt.nz/records...

The designation FRSGS after his name indicates he was an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. He published an article in the Scottish Geographical Magazine in 1908 entitled "Notes on the Sub-Antarctic Island" (24 (7), pp 337-347. The designation FRSGS was used in that publication also.