III Statement in relation to the Waverley criteria The Committee’s function is to consider whether an item referred to it is of national importance under any of the following criteria. a) Is it so closely connected with our history and national life that its departure would be a misfortune? b) Is it of outstanding aesthetic importance? c) Is it of outstanding significance for the study of some particular branch of art, learning or history? To assist the Committee, you may submit a written statement in support of your application, with particular reference to the three criteria set out above. You may use the space below (box 21) or attach a separate document for these purposes 21. Provenance Whilst we know the sledge belonged to Marshall, it has not been possible to ascertain whether it was one of the four sledges on the southern journey to the Pole, or merely one of the fourteen others taken to Antarctica. The flag, on the other hand, was photographed farthest south. Condition The upper rail of Marshall’s sledge has slipped out of the leather strapping at one corner. His flag is severely faded on one side and extremely fragile from long exposure to daylight, with the silk beginning to split where once folded. Conclusion Eric Marshall’s sledge and flag are not of outstanding aesthetic importance, nor of outstanding significance for study. Given the number of sledges and flags from the ‘Heroic Age’ of Antarctic exploration already in UK public collections, the uncertainty about how far south the sledge went, and the condition of the flag in particular, the departure of Marshall’s artefacts would not be a misfortune. Appendix: other examples Sledges from Scott and Shackleton expeditions are at the Scott Polar Research Institute (at least five, plus splinters from Shackleton’s farthest-south Nimrod sledge), and at Tewkesbury School. Scott and Shackleton sledging flags are at SPRI (many), RRS Discovery Dundee (at least two), National Maritime Museum, Exeter Cathedral, Forest School London, Gilbert White's House and The Oates Collection, Royal Collection Trust, Royal Western Yacht Club, Gonville and Caius (Cambridge), and Plymouth Museum. 6 .