Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the Years 1819-20-21-22
London, John Murray, 1824 (second edition)/ 1823.
Octavo, two volumes, xx, 370; and [ii], vi, 400 pages with a wood-engraved plan (of an 'Esquimaux snow-house') plus 4 large folding charts (one hand-coloured).
Modern antique-style half calf and marbled boards, retaining the half-titles and early blanks; spine tooled in gilt and blind, with contrasting leather lettering-pieces; edges sprinkled red; some scattered foxing; maps a little creased and offset, one with a tiny tear sealed on the verso; a very good set.
The account of Franklin's ill-fated overland expedition to survey the uncharted Arctic coastline of North America. Insufficient supplies and poor weather led to starvation, exhaustion, and ultimately the deaths of some half of the party, with suspected instances of murder and even cannibalism. 'The author traveled by Hudson Bay, Cumberland House to Fort Chipewyan, and accompanied by J. Richardson, R. Hood and J. Back, explored the upper Coppermine River, wintered at Fort Enterprise (between Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes), descended the Coppermine, and explored by canoe the coast of Coronation Gulf eastward over five hundred miles into Dease Strait to Cape Turnagain. The party returned over the Barren Grounds to Fort Enterprise. The narrative includes a detailed description of travel conditions (noting hardships, lack of food, etc.), the nature of the country, rivers and lakes, the various tribes of Indians, and the Copper Eskimos; with accounts by Richardson and Back of their separate trips with small parties for exploration, supplies, etc.' (Arctic Bibliography). Titles of the folding maps are: 'An Outline to shew the Connected Discoveries of Captains Ross, Parry & Franklin ...'; 'Route of the Expedition from Isle à la Crosse to Fort Providence in 1819 & 20'; 'Route of the Expedition from York Factory to Cumberland House, and the Summer & Winters Tracks from thence to Isle à la Crosse, in 1819 &1820'; and 'Chart of the Discoveries & Route of the Northern Land Expedition ...'. Arctic Bibliography 5195. [2 items].
Item #143988
Price (AUD):
$1,100.00