Jay Borrelli Design
Design + Art Direction
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To My Widow

In 1912 Robert Falcon Scott made his second journey to the South Pole. During this journey, he wrote a letter to his wife and son addressed "To My Widow", which was later found in his breast pocket.

I created this artist’s book In an effort to unite the last words of this larger-than-life figure to the backdrop of world events of the time. Printed on newsprint.

To My Widow

In 1912 Robert Falcon Scott made his second journey to the South Pole. Due to poor planning and extreme weather conditions, Scott and his men died on their 800-mile trek from the south pole to their campsite. During this journey, he wrote a letter to his wife and son addressed "To My Widow", which was later found in his breast pocket.

 
 
 

I created this artist’s book In an effort to unite the last words of this larger-than-life figure to the backdrop of world events of the time. Scott’s letter, in cyan, is woven into newspaper reporting stories of tragedy and victory in the year 1912, including the sinking of the Titanic, the first successful parachute jump from an airplane, and the assassination of a Finnish tyrant.

His deeply personal message hidden among headlines showcases Scott as a public figure, but also a family man, coming to terms with his own mortality. Printed on newsprint.

 
Expressive type treatment inside the book that reads "what a price to pay — to forfeit the sight of your dear face"
 
Interior spread of artist book To My Widow