Oct 24 at 10:30 AM - Sale 2683 -
/

Sale 2683 - Lot 334

Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500
Franklin, Sir John (1786-1847)
Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the Years 1819-20, 21, and 22. [and] Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the Years 1825, 1826, and 1827.

London: John Murray, 1823 [and] 1828.

First editions, two quarto volumes; with the errata slip in volume 1; illustrated with 62 plates and 10 folding maps (one hand-outlined in color); bound in uniform 19th century half calf, marbled edges and endpapers (foxing to some plates in volume 2; largest folding map with closed tear at crease; lacking both half-titles and the errata slip in volume 2, offsetting from plates, scattered foxing; trimmed, lightly rubbed at corners); 10 5/8 x 8 1/2 in.

The first Narrative documents Franklin's expedition to the mouth of the Coppermine River in Canada, and covers a trek of more than 5,500 miles. The expedition gained notoriety as it records one of the most harrowing and dangerous journeys made in its time. Many of the party were lost to starvation, hypothermia and murder. The second volume tracks Franklin's relatively successful exploration of the North American coast between the Mackenzie and Coppermine rivers and resulted in the mapping of more than 600 miles of new coastline. The plates (more than 10 in color), depict stunning views of the Canadian Arctic.

Abbey Travel 635; Arctic Bib. 5194, 5198; Sabin 25624, 25628.

Provenance: Nils H. Wahlberg with book labels.
Request Condition Report Set Alert for Similar Items

Also in This Catalogue