Narrative Of A Journey To The Shores Of The Polar Sea. In the Years 1819, 20, 21. And 22.

With 30 engraved plates by E. Finden and J. Curtis after drawings by Curtis, G. Back, and R. Hood, of which 10 are handcolored (9 of these aquatints), 1 text illus. and 4 engr. folded maps at the end of the Appendix. XVI pp. incl. half-title, errata-slip, 768 pp. 4to. Contemp. half calf (rep.). London, John Murray, Albemarle-Street, 1823. (and:) THE SAME. Narrative Of A Second Expedition To The Shores Of the Polar Sea, in The Years 1825, 1826, And 1827. With 31 engraved plates by E. Finden after drawings by G. Back and E.N. Kendall, several text illus., and 6 engraved fold. maps (1 partly colored in outline). XXIV, 320 pp., CLVIII pp. Appendix, (1) errata leaf. 4to. Contemp. half calf. London, John Murray, Albemarle-Street, 1828. First editions of Sir John Franklins (1786-1847), vice-admiral of the Royal Navy dramatic and fascinating records of his two Arctic expeditions, two classic books in 2 vols. of Arctic hardship are offered here together for sale.- Slightly offsetting (also on title-page of 2st vol.), scattered light foxing, otherwise nice wide-margined copies, uniformely bound. Ad I: First edition of Franklin's first expedition, also known as the Coppermine expedition, intended to survey the western shore of the great inland seas. This expedition started from the shores of Hudson's Bay, to explore the Northern Coasts of America. A total of 5'000 miles were to be travelled on foot and canoe. A series of misfortunes lead to the expedition turning into a failure. Essential boats were lost, the winters were especially harsh and a shortage in food and supplies lead to disaster. On the brink of starvation there were rumours of cannibalism, a murder and an execution, only 8 men out of nineteen survived the ordeal. Nevertheless the work by Franklin "is an invaluable one for the history of the discovery of the regions and for the interesting descriptions and details of the many tribes of Indians and Esquimaux met with" (Stevens 1706). The story of the Coppermine Expedition was to serve as an influence on Roald Amundsen, who would eventually become the first man to navigate the entire Northwest Passage, as well as the first to reach the South Pole. At the age of fifteen he read John Franklin's account, and decided that he wanted to be a polar explorer. Ad II: First edition of this scientific account of Franklin's second overland expedition in the years 1825 to 1827. The second expedition started from New York to Fort William in Canada, and explored northwestern Canada to the Mackenzie delta and from there to the unknown northern coast. This expedition was better planned and organized than the first one. It is an eye-witness account of the area, he expounds on the customs, morals, and religion of the inhabitants and includes fascinating material on the shamanism then prevalent there. There is also much additional material, including comparisons between Indians. It is also an important source for the early history of Alaska and also cartography of the area. Franklin's last expedition to find the northwestern passage to the Pacific in 1845 disappeared without a trace. Only recently, 170 years later, were the two ships found and the remains of the expedition discovered. - Sabin 38301; Lada-Mocarski, no. 12 ("one of the earliest printed narratives about Alaska and the Aleutian Islands."); Hill, p. 166; Chavanne, Literatur üer die Polor-Regionen, 4268-69. POLAR REGIONS ; Alaska ; RUSSIA ; AMERICANA:NORTH AMERICA ;