Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the Years 1819-20-21-22
Author(s):
Franklin, Capt. John
Copyright: 1823, John Murray, London
Specifications: 1st ed, 1st issue, thick 4to, pp.xvi, 768, 8 pgs ads, 30 plates (11 colored, some w/ tissue guards), 4 fldg maps, errata slip, appendices, uncut, brown cloth spine & paper boards
Condition: cloth w/ corners worn, bookplate & name, pages clean, maps w/ no tears, tight, very good+
First Edition, First Issue
Franklin's account of his second expedition, the Coppermine Expedition of 1819-22, which was his first in command. Their goal was the exploration of northern Canada, accessed via the Coppermine River; as part of the Royal Navy’s overall attempt to discover and map the Northwest Passage. The small, poorly planned expedition lost 11 of 20 members but did map 550 miles of Arctic coastline east of the Coppermine and traveled 5500 miles overall. Ill equipped and trained, and continually facing starvation, they retreated across uncharted terrain eventually being rescued by natives. George Back and John Richardson, who both became Arctic explorers, were members of this expedition. This is the scarce first issue with all four maps dated March 1823 and including the ads.
The bookplate and name are of Frederick E. Ellis, noted conservationist, and considered the falther of Shaw Island, Washington.
AB 5194, Sabin 25624.