Rummaging through junk in the basement of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute, Huw Lewis-Jones has brought to light two penguins of a type never seen before. Drawn by legendary explorers Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton these chalk sketches were probably made to illustrate public lectures.

“We have absolutely no idea how we got them and we are still trying to find a record of them arriving in our collections, but I am sure they are authentic. Some people may think they look a little crude but I think they are incredibly charming,” says Lewis-Jones, historian and curator of art at the Scott Polar Research Institute (press release).

“People often compare Scott and Shackleton in terms of their achievements as explorers and their leadership qualities. Now, albeit with a smile on our faces, we can judge their artistic abilities as well.”

The Great Beyond says: Scott wins hands down.

The university is now appealing for donations so it can ‘save’ – ie restore – the drawings. Example newspaper coverage: Daily Telegraph.