Arctic Explorations: The Second Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin, 1853, '54, '55
Phliadelphia: Childs & Peterson, 1856. First edition. Profusely illustrated with engraved drawings by Kane, along with maps--two of which are fold-outs. Full leather. Octavos. 464 and 467 pages.
History of the second expedition sponsored by Henry Grinnell in an attempt to learn the fate of Sir John Franklin and his expedition to the Arctic in 1845. Dr. Kane, a physician in the U.S. Navy, was the chief medical officer on the first Grinnell Expedition and commander of this second one. While the expedition failed to learn Franklin's fate it achieved several important geographical discoveries in the Arctic, including the long-sought open Polar Sea.
This two-volume work is illustrated with 300 illustrations engraved from drawings by Dr. Kane. There are also two larger fold-out maps backed with linen and a few smaller maps. Each volume has a frontispiece portrait and an engraved title page in addition its typographical title page. Both volumes uniformly bound in dark blue leather with raised bands on spines and marbled endpapers.
A very handsome set ot this important work on Arctic exploration.
Bound in dark blue leather over boards with gilt border rules on all boards, prior owner name and ex-libris stamped in gilt at lower inner margin of each lower board. Bookplate on each front pastedown, prior owner name at top fore corner and possible bookbinder stamp at bottom fore corner of preliminary blank in each volume. Some mild foxing inside. Light rubs to spines, which are slightly sunned. Overall a very handsome and sturdy set of this important expedition history.
Item #1221
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