Aquila Books produces two Polar and related fields catalogues per year.  Below is our most recent catalogue.  We are meticulous about updating sold materials, so please feel free to browse, knowing that if it is not marked SOLD, we are most likely still going to have it in stock.

In addition, if you see something we have sold, but would like to obtain a copy, please drop us an e-mail, as we may have another copy available to offer you.

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All Prices net in US Dollars. Accepted payment methods: by Credit Card (Visa or Master Card) and also by Cheque or Money Order, payable on a North American bank. Reciprocal trade terms apply. Institutions can be invoiced. Postage and insurance extra. Books can be returned within one week of receipt. N.B. Please advise by phone or email for specific shipping instructions.

Dear Customers.

Originally this catalogue was due out in the spring of last year but due to staffing problems and other projects coming up it is now our first in 2008.  Since the staffing issues seem to be on the mend we hope to have out three catalogues this year with then next one due out in May in time for the June fairs in London, and then an offering in late November.  This last year has been extraordinary in many ways for polar material.  First with the Streeter sale in April and then followed up with the disposal of the Levinson collection by Swann’s in May.  The other major event has been the depreciating US dollar which we price our books in.  We have decided to still price in US dollars and are trying to be as consistent as possible with the current market.  

Happy New Year to all and the best for 2008.

Cameron

Phone: (403) 282-5832 Fax: (403) 289-0814 Email: Aquila@Aquilabooks.com
 

001. [Alaska]. Rand McNally & Co's. Official Map of Alaska Including the Klondike District and Adjacent Gold Fields Showing Various Routes to the Mines. New York & Chicago: Rand McNally, 1897. Fine. 12 mo. Illustrated with large map. A bright copy. Scarce. SOLD

Wonderful, interesting folding pocket map showing both Alaska, Yukon Territory and Northern British Columbia. The map shows many of the principal routes to the Klondike including the routes from Calgary and Edmonton. See Picture.

 

002, [Alaska] Goodall, Perkins & Co. All About Alaska. San Francisco, California: Pacific Coast Steamship Co., 1891. 1st edition. 63pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with 2 drawings (cabin plans) and tables. Original pictorial wrappers. Housed in a green cloth fold over case. Small library stamp on front cover of wrappers. Minor chips to edges and minor soiling to front cover of wrappers. A very nice example of a fragile item. Scarce. 275.00

Tourville 3449. Information on sailing times of streamers on the Alaska route for the 1891 season, stateroom rates and descriptions of the excursions.

 

003. [Alaska] R. L. Polk & Co. R. L. Polk & Co.'s 1917-18 Alaska-Yukon Gazateer and Business Directory Containing a Alphabetical List of Business Firms and Private Citizens of the Towns of Anchorage, Cordova, Dawson, Douglas, Fairbanks, Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan, Nome, Petersburg, Seward, Skagway, Thane, Treadwell, Valdez, White Horse and Wrangell and a List of All Businesse Firms in the Towns and Villages. Seattle: R. L. Polk & Co., Inc., 1917. 14th Edition. (Hardcover) 1063pp. (including ads). Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with ads. Original black/red tan cloth with advertising on front and back covers. SOLD

Contains "Also a Complete Business Directory of the District of Alaska and Yukon Territory". Directories like this especially in very good condition are quite scarce.

 

004. Andree, S.A. Minnesalbum. Malmo: Varldslitteraturens Forlag, 1931. 1st edition. 55, [1]. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with numerous photos. Original pictorial wrappers with gold edges and photo portrait of Andree on front cover. Scarce. SOLD

Salomon August Andree a Swedish engineer and explorer is most famous for his attempt to reach the north pole by balloon in 1897. The flight ended in failure and resulted in the deaths of Andree and his two companions on the island of Kvitøya.

 

005. Arctic Expedition 1875. Arctic Expedition 1875 Dinner Plate. Stoke-Upon-Trent: , 1875. Very good. Blue transfer ware dinner plate. 10 1/4" diameter. Blue transfer decoration of rope design on the rim and a central scene of a polar bear within a circular design of ropes and buckle. The rim on the back of plate shows three anchors with " Arctic Expedition 1875, W.T. Copeland & Sons " in the design Date stamped in the pottery J 75. This example made for the HMS Alert. 1750.00

The"Nares" expedition left Portsmouth in May of 1875 and returned in November of 1876. Like many of the well equipped British Naval expeditions of the late 19th century and early 20th the officers were well looked after with special dishes, cutlery, wines, and clothing. The Nares Expedition was no different with Copeland producing a very attractive design with each article being stamped with the individual ships name. The blue rope work design is the most common style. We have also noted a much plainer design in brown/sepia colours, perhaps intended for the crew rather than officers. Expedition artifacts like this are very scarce in the market. See Picture.

 

006. Arctic Expedition 1875. Arctic Expedition 1875 Soup Bowl. Stoke-Upon-Trent: , 1875. Near fine. Blue transfer ware soup bowl. 10 1/4" dia. Blue transfer decoration of rope design on the rim and a central scene of a polar bear within a circular design of ropes and buckle. The rim on the back of plate shows three anchors with " Arctic Expedition 1875, W.T. Copeland & Sons " in the design Date stamped in the pottery J75. This example made for the HMS Alert. 1750.00

The"Nares" expedition left Portsmouth in May of 1875 and returned in November of 1876. Like many of the well equipped British Naval expeditions of the late 19th century and early 20th the officers were well looked after with special dishes, cutlery, wines, and clothing. The Nares Expedition was no different with Copeland producing a very attractive design with each article being stamped with the individual ships name. The blue rope work design is the most common style. We have also noted a much plainer design in brown/sepia colours, perhaps intended for the crew rather than officers. Expedition artifacts like this are very scarce in the market. We also have a example stamped "Discovery", priced the same. See Picture.

 

007. Arctic Scenery Pottery. "Arctic Scenery." [no date]. Very good. Soup Bowl. 10 3/4" Diameter. Blue Transfer Decoration of Wild Flowers Alternating with Wild Animals in Panels on the Rim and a Central Scene of HMS Hecla & Griper Wintering in Melville Sound, with Dog Sled in Foreground. "Arctic Scenery" cartouche on the bottom. Very scarce. Fine example that does not appear to have any major restoration. 800.00

See "Blue and White Printed Pottery 1780-1880" by Coysh & Henrywood, Vols I & II. The central scenes depicted are apparently taken from illustrations in Parry's & Franklin's published accounts, the edge decorations from Jardine's Naturalist Library series. Maker is Unknown. See Picture.

 

Hot Off the Press! William Barr's Latest Book

008. Barr, William. Arctic Hell-Ship. The Voyage of HMS Enterprise 1850-1855. Edmonton: University of Alberta Press, #88864-472-5, 2007. 1st Edition. xiv,318pp. Fine in fine dust jacket. Octavo. Illustrated with black and white and coloured plates from photos and paintings (including frontispiece). 50.00

An account of the HMS Enterprise captained by Richard Collinson and its voyage in search of the Franklin Expedition. The voyage was plagued by unfortunate events including being frozen in the arctic ice for three winters. Signed by author on title page.

 

009. Beaufort, Sir Francis; Pearce, Stephen; Scott, James. Rear Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, K.C.B., D.C.L. Corr. Mem. Inst. France, F.R.S. Hydrographer to the Navy from 1829 to 1855. Mezzotint Portrait. London: Henry Graves and Comp., 1857. Very good, no dust jacket. Wonderful mezzotint portrait of Beaufort sitting at a desk holding his glasses. Image size is 34 X 42 cm. The print is wide margined with a good deep impression of the plate. Other than very minor soiling in very nice bright condition. 1400.00

This is one of the series of Stephen Pearce portraits of famous polar explorers which were engraved into fine mezzotint prints. This image being based on an original presented to Greenwich Hospital. See Picture.

 

Scarce Admiralty Issue

010. Beechey, Capt. F.W. Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific and Beering's Strait to Co-Operate with the Polar Expeditions: Performed in His Majesty's Ship Blossom, Under the Command of Captain F. W. Beechey R.N. ... In the Years 1825, 26, 27, 28. In Two Parts. London: Henry Colburn & Richard Bentley., 1831. 1st edition. xxi,[3], 392; vii, 393-742pp. Very good. Two volumes. Quarto. Illustrated with 23 plates and 3 maps (including large folding map showing the route taken by the H.M.S. Blossom). Some of the plates include a View of Point Barrow, Natives of the Coast near Cape Thomson, 3 plates of fossil remains and also a Portrait of John Adams.19th century half calf with green wavy cloth covers. Gilt decoration and lettering on spine. Marbled endpapers. 5 raised bands. Top edge gilt. Errata sheet tipped in 1st volume. Complete with both half titles. Decorative bookplate of Philip Hammond esq. on front pastedown of each volume. Minor professional repairs to a few maps folds. Scattered foxing to a few leaves and plates else a very attractive copy. SOLD

Arctic Bibl. 1228. Narrative of an expedition to Bering Strait and beyond to meet and assist the Franklin and Perry expeditions in making scientific observations. This is the scarce Admiralty issue in quarto to match Back's Arctic Land Expedition. See Picture.

 

011. Bellot, J Pearce, Stephen Engraved by James Scott. Lieutenant Bellot, of the Imperial Navy of France. [Mezzotint Portrait.]. London: Thomas Boys, 1854. 1st UK Edition. Very good. This very fine mezzotint portrait of Bellot (image size 23 X 33 cm.) It is a proof copy before letters mounted on a much larger (46 X 62) piece of stiff paper. Although there is a bit of minor soiling the overall appearance of the image is clean and crisp. Proof copies like this are very scarce. $1750

The Bellot portrait is part of the famous series of paintings done by Stephen Pearce and engraved by James Scott and published as mezzotints. Bellot was drowned on a search for Franklin expedition in 1853. Most of the original oil paintings done by Pearce were owned by John Barrow and now are in the National Portrait Gallery in London. See Front Cover.

 

From the Library of A.W. Greely

012. Bessels, Emil. Scientific Results of the United States Arctic Expedition. Steamer Polaris, C.F. Hall Commanding. Vol. 1. Physical Observations. United States Navy Department. (All Published). Washington, D. C.: Government Printing Office, 1876. 1st edition. [986]. Very good. Quarto. Illustrated with numerous black and white and coloured maps, tables, charts (including folding maps and charts) and diagrams in text. Rebound in library buckram with gilt lettering on spine. Large folding map in pocket at rear. Repairs to folds of map. Scarce separate sheet detailing the map also included. This book is normally found in poor condition due to its weight and size and poor quality paper. This copy with an interesting association and other than the plain binding a very nice copy. SOLD

AB 18388. Discussion and records of observation made mainly at winter quarters: Polaris Bay (Thank God harbor) Nov. 1871 - June, 1872; and Polaris House Oct. 1872 - June 1873. Includes hydrography, temperature, atmospheric pressure, terrestrial radiation and astronomical readings and observations. From the Library of A.W. Greely with his decorative bookplate on the front paste down. Also included is a photo copy of a note from Greely with the following quote "Owing tot he errors in the reductions of these observations, mentioned in the review of NATURE copy attached this work was cancelled and very few copies are in existence.

 
 

013. Beynen, L.R. Koolemans. De Reis Der Pandora Naar de Noordpoolgewesten, in Den Zomer Van 1875. Amsterdam: C.F. Stemler, 1876. 1st Edition. [4],36pp. Good to very good. Quarto. Illustrated with large coloured folding map showing the routes taken by Franklin, M'Clintock and the Pandora. Original decorative tan printed wrappers. This is an exact reprint of the more common octavo issue. This quarto issue being printed in two columns which accounts for the reduced number of pages. SOLD

Account of the "Pandora" commanded by Sir Allen Young and sent out in 1876 to break though the icebound Northwest Passage and search for artifacts of Captain Franklin who had died there in 1847. Enroute, he was instructed to change his destination and communicate with the North Pole expedition led by George Nares. See Picture.

 

014. Beynen, L.R. Koolemans. De Reis Der Pandora Naar de Noordpoolgewesten, in Den Zomer Van 1875. Amsterdam: C.F. Stemler, 1876. 1st Edition. iii,[1],96pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with large coloured folding map showing the routes taken by Franklin, M'Clintock and the Pandora. Original decorative grey wrappers. Some leaves unopened. Minor wear to ends of spine. A very nice copy in the fragile wrappers. 225.00

The Pandora was a steamer commanded by Sir Allen Young that headed out in 1876 to break though the icebound Northwest Passage and search for artifacts of Captain Franklin who had died there in 1847. Enroute, he was instructed to change his destination and communicate with the North Pole expedition led by George Nares.

 

015. Borchgrevink. Carsten E. Naermest Sydpolen. Aaret 1900. [Nearest the South Pole]. Kobenhavn: Gyldendalske Boghandel, 1905. 1st Norwegian Edition. (Hardcover) [x], 562, [1]. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with 6 coloured plates from paintings, numerous photos, charts and maps (including folding coloured map). Original red cloth with gilt lettering and decoration on front cover and spine. Text in Danish. Small stamp on half title page. Minor rubbing to covers. Slight fading to spine. Very good copy. SOLD

Spence 154 also issued in parts. First Norwegian edition; includes many more photographs, an expanded text, and coloured plates not present in the English edition.

 

016. Brown, R.N. Rudmose. Spitsbergen. An Account of Exploration, Hunting, the Mineral Riches & Future Potentialities of an Arctic Archipelago. London: Seeley, Service & Co., 1920. 1st edition. 319pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with 16 plates from photos (including frontispiece) and 2 maps (including folding map at rear). Original black decorative cloth with blue lettering on spine. Minor bump to bottom front corner. Some minor soiling to the fore edges, previous owner's names on front endpapers. An attractive bright copy. 400.00

Arctic Bibliography 2331 Traces the history, exploration and economic developments on Spitsbergen.

 
 

017. Bruce, Miner W. Alaska. Its History and Resources, Gold Fields, Routes and Scenery. Seattle, Wash.: Lowman & Handford Stationery and Printing Co., 1895. 1st edition. 128,[1]. Fine. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos (including frontispiece) and drawings and pen sketches in text. Large folding map of Alaska in pocket at rear. Original brown decorative cloth with gilt lettering on front. Previous owner's name on front free endpaper in ink. A fine clean, tight and bright copy. SOLD

Tourville 705 Bruce spent 6 years in Alaska which allowed him to present an accurate and truthful account of the history of Alaska. He gives careful details to the topography, climate, minerals, fisheries, Yukon gold fields, Alaskan Indians, reindeer, missions and schools of the region. See Picture.

 

018. Byrd, Admiral Richard E. Oakland Auditorium Opera House. Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Thursday Jan. 23, 1936, 8:00 P.M. Auspices: The Oakland Forum. Oakland, Ca: Oakland Forum, 1936. Very good. Ticket to hear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Orchestra Section Right C 14, Oakland Auditorium. Admit one this date only. Small fold at center else a very good or better item. Rare. SOLD

Great piece of Byrd ephemera. See Picture.

 
 

019. Byrd, Richard E. Little America. Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic. The Flight to the South Pole. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1930. 1st edition. (Hardcover) xvi,436pp. Very good. Octavo. Uncut in original quarter parchment and blue paper covered boards with matching endpapers. One of 1000 numbered copies signed by Byrd & the publishers on the limitation leaf, printed from a different type setting than the trade edition with many plates from photos, and 4 maps (2 folding). This copy #786/1000. Spine slightly darkened with some edge wear. Signed by Rear-Admiral Richard E. Byrd & G.P. Putnam's Sons. 400.00

Authors autograph edition. Spence 227.

 

020. Chappe D'auteroche, M. L' Abbe. A Journey into Siberia Made by Order of the King of France. Containing a Account of the Manners and Customs of the Russians, the Present State of Their Empire; With the Natural History, and Geographical Description of the Country, and Level of the Road from Paris to Tobolsky. London: T. Jefferys, 1770. 1st English. viii, 395,(1) pp.. Near fine. Very handsomely bound in contemporary full tree calf. Rebacked at an early date with heavily gilt spine laid down. Corners have been renewed. Large folding hand coloured map as frontis. 8 full page copper plate engravings of Russian costume. Various tables in text. Faint old marginal tide line mainly near the rear third of book not affecting the text. A very attractive copy. SOLD

This is the first English edition after the first French edition published in Paris in 1768. D'Auteroche still under the age of 30 was chosen by the French Academy of Sciences to travel to Siberia in to observe the 1761 Transit of Venus. This interesting narrative details his arduous travels through still largely unknown territory.

 

021. Christian, Edgar. Unflinching. A Diary of Tragic Adventure. New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1938. 1st U.S. edition. viii,159pp. Very good in very good dust jacket. 12mo. Illustrated with wood block engravings, map and photo frontispiece. Original blue cloth with silver lettering on spine in dust jacket. Minor chips to top and bottom edge of dust jacket. Introduction by Dew Roberts. Preface by Dr. Henry C. Link. 400.00

AB 3146. Diary account written by a 19 year-old member of the ill-fated three man expedition, led by John Hornby, to the Thelon Game Sanctuary in 1926-7. A scarce book; more so in a dustjacket. See Picture.

 

022. Chung, In-Cho. The Arctic and the Rockies As Seen by a Botanist Pictorial. Williamsport, Pa: Self Published, 1984. 1st edition. (Hardcover) 343pp. Fine. Large octavo. Illustrated with 574 coloured photos. Original green cloth with gilt lettering on front cover. Tan slipcase. Endpaper maps. 2 errata sheets, 1 tipped in at rear and the other laid in loose. A tight clean copy. Signed by In-Cho Chung. SOLD

Includes the botany of Arctic regions including the Canadian Eastern Arctic, the Canadian Western Arctic, Alaskan Arctic and adjacent areas; Rocky mountain System including the Canadian and American Rockies. Fabulous production printed on high quality glossy paper.
 

023. [Cook, Captain James]. Wedgwood Portrait Medallion of Capt. James Cooks. York: Colin Hinchcliffe, 1997. Fine. Blue relief portrait of Captain Cook in profile with decorative leaf border. As new. 300.00

This Cook commemorative was produced at the Wedgwood factory in an edition of 100 for the visit to the United Kingdom of the Endeavour replica. It was produced from the original mold used for the 18th century original which is extremely rare. See Picture.

 

024. Cooke, Alan. With Clive Holland. The Exploration of Northern Canada. 500 to 1920. A Chronology. Toronto: Arctic History Press, #0-7710-2265-4, 1978. 1st edition. 549,[1],25pp. Fine. Octavo. Illustrated with maps at rear and a partly coloured folding map in pocket at rear. Original maroon padded leatherette with gilt lettering and decoration on front cover and spine. A bright tight and clean copy. 300.00

Contains a list of all known North-west passage expeditions and a comprehensive bibliography on p.[447]-505. A wonderful reference book and although it has been revised in a different format this is the much better quality production.

 

025. Cowles, B.K. Alaska. Interesting and Reliable Information Relating Thereto. Containing Also the Organic Act of the Territory. Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Co., 1885. 1st edition. 16 pp.. Fine. 16mo (14.5 X 9 cm). Original lime coloured printed wrappers. A couple of minor spots along top edge of front cover else this is a fine copy of a scarce pamphlet. SOLD

Tourville 1101. Interesting treatment of the questions and letters sent to the author regarding information on Alaska. Each heading is broken down into sections with the first section dealing with questions concerning Alaska's history, geography and natural history and the last 14 sections to the acts or laws of the state. See Picture.

 

026. D' Orleans, MGR le Duc. Une Croisiere Au Spitzberg. Yacht "Maroussia". Paris. Privately Printed for the Author, 1904. 1st edition. x,[4],77pp. Near fine. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos, coloured painting of Glacier de Nordenskjold and 2 coloured folding maps at rear. Original cream wrappers with blue decoration and lettering on front cover and spine. Some leaves unopened. Small tear to top and bottom end of spine. A clean and bright copy. SOLD

Complete with presentation rubber stamp from the author on the front free endpaper. Very scarce.

 

027. Dall, William H. Alaska and Its Resources. Boston: Lee & Shepard, 1870. 1st edition. xii,627,[1]. Fine. Octavo. Illustrated with 13 plates from engravings (including frontispiece), illustrations in text and large folding map at rear. Original green cloth with gilt decoration on front cover and gilt lettering and decoration on spine. Bevelled edges. Brown coated endpapers. A fine bright tight and clean copy. Uncommon in this nice a condition. SOLD

Arctic Bibl. 3575; Ricks p.27. "The one thread of continuity for the early period (of Alaskan exploration) was provided by...William Healy Dall... He undertook the first systematic examination of the territory after the United States acquired it in 1867...Dall's book, ALASKA and ITS RESOURCES, was a narrative of his adventures and researches in Alaska with the Telegraph Company and a compilation of geographical, historical, and scientific information on the country. It established his reputation as an expert..." Sherwood, EXPLORATION of ALASKA.

 

028. Dall, William H. Alaska As It Was and Is 1865-1895. Annual Presidential Address Delivered Before the Philosophical Society of Washington, December 6, 1895. Bulletin Vol. XIII. Washington: Philosophical Society of Washington., 1895. 123-162pp. Very good. Octavo. Original orange printed wrappers. Small rubber stamp "With respects of W.H. Dall" on front cover. Signature of previous owner dated 1896 on front cover. Minor chips to edges of covers and small open tear on back cover. Small library stamp on back of front cover. Small private bookplate of the Lowther collection on the bottom of the first leaf. SOLD

Not in Tourville. Short history of Alaska including the fur trade, economics, natives and reindeer. Also contains a list of Scientific publications based on the work of the Scientific Corps of the Western Union Telegraph Expedition to Alaska (1865-68), and on the United States Coast Survey Explorations (1971-89), under the direction of W.H. Dall. This was the Annual presidential address delivered before the Philosophical Society.

 

029. Egede, Hans. A Description of Greenland, by Hans Egede Who Was a Missionary in That Country for Twenty-Five Years. With an Historical Introduction and a Life of the Author. London: T & J Allman, 1818. 2nd English Edition. cxviii,225pp. Very good. Octavo in quarter calf backed paper covered boards with folding map (frontispiece) and woodcut illustrations (including title page vignette) in text. Unopened. A little mild off setting and foxing but over all a very nice copy in the original boards with a modern spine. SOLD

AB 4363.

 

030. Emerson, B.K. With William H. Dall, F.H. Knowlton, Charles Palache & E.O. Ulrich. Geology and Paleontology. Harriman Alaska Series Volume IV. Washington, D. C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1910. x,173pp. Fine in very good dust jacket. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos (including frontispiece) and drawings, map of the Harriman Alaska Expedition 1899. Facsimile of original 1904 title page at III. Original green cloth with gilt decoration on front cover and gilt lettered leather label on spine. Top edge gilt. Green canvas dust jacket with gilt lettered leather label on spine. Minor shelf wear to bottom edges of covers. Clean and tight copy. 300.00

B.K. Emerson received his Ph.D from the University of Gottingen, Germany in 1868. The most sophisticated geology programs at that time were in Germany. Emerson later taught at Emerson College in Amherst, MA where he made a geologic map of Old Hamshire County in 1898, revised the State geologic map in 1917 and also taught Darwinian evolution. Emerson's title in 1870 was Professor of Geology and Zoology.
 

031. Filchner, Wilhelm. Zum Sechsten Erdteil. Die Zweite Deutsche Sudpolar-Expedition. Berlin: Ullstein, 1922. (Hardcover) xviii,[2], 410pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos, folding panorama, charts and diagrams in text and maps (including black and white and coloured folding maps). Original blue cloth with gilt lettering and decoration on front cover and gilt lettering on spine. Presentation rubber stamp on half title Captain Alfred Kling. 500.00

Spence 458. Narrative of the 1911-1912 German Antarctic Expedition in the ship "Deutschland", led by Filchner. The Filchner Ice Shelf and the Luitpold Coast were discovered. The ship was caught in the ice and spent nine months drifting in the Weddell Sea.

 

032. Finsch, Dr. O. Reise Nach West-Sibirien Im Jahre 1876. Auf Veranstaltung Des Vereins Fur Die Deutsche Nordpolarfahrt in Bremen. Berlin: Verlag Von Erich Wallroth, 1879. 1st edition. xxiii,[1], 663 pp.. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with numerous black and white text illustrations and 36 tinted lithographs.4 folding maps (some coloured). Original brown half calf with black cloth boards and green paper corners. Gilt lettering and decorative tooling on spine. Four raised bands and marbled edges. Marbled endpapers. The odd page has had minor repairs to the edge otherwise a fine clean copy of a very scarce little known title. SOLD

Arctic Biblio. 5004 English title reads. Journey in Western Siberia in the year 1876. See Picture.

 

033. Firth, Edith G. The North West Passage 1534-1859. A Catalogue of an Exhibition of Books and Manuscripts in the Toronto Public Library. Toronto: Baxter Publishing Company, 1963. (Soft cover) 26pp. Very good. Oblong octavo. Illustrated with drawings, paintings and maps. Original pictorial wrappers. Introduction by H.C. Campbell. 30.00

An excellent exhibition catalogue highlighting the extensive Toronto Public Library North West Passage collection.

 

034. Fram Journal. Fram: The Journal of Polar Studies. Voyages and Travels in the Polar Seas and Regions. 3 Volumes: The 1984 Summer Issue; Volume One, Number Two, 1984 Winter Issue ; Volume Two Part One, 1985 Issue. Bangor, Maine: Polaris Publications, 1984,1985. 1st edition. x,[2],806;511pp. Fine. Complete set. Octavo. Illustrated with photos, drawings and maps. Original wrappers. The 1984 winter edition was the inaugural edition and is a signed and limited edition of 500 copies of which this is number 176. All in fine condition. Scarce. SOLD

Excellent Polar papers including: Christian Leden by L.H. Neatby; Bishop William Carpenter Bompas' Notes on the Inuit of the MacKenzie River by J.C. Yerby and an Arctic Mirage by H. Montgomery. Also, articles from pamphlets, documents, translations, book reprints, indexes and oral histories.

 

 

035. Franklin, John. Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the Years 1825, 1826, and 1827, by John Franklin, Captain R.N., F.R.S., &C and Commander of the Expedition. Including an Account of the Progress of a Detachment to the Eastward, by John Richardson, M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., & C. Surgeon and Naturalist to the Expedition. London: John Murray, 1828. 1st edition. xxiv,320,clvii,[1].[errata]. Very good. Quarto. Illustrated with 31 plates from engravings (including frontispiece) and maps (including 6 large folding maps, one hand coloured in outline). Original rust coloured cloth rebacked with original spine and original paper label laid down. All edges uncut. Minor rubbing to covers and fading to spine. Plates are in very clean condition. A tight clean copy almost as issued. Illustrations by Captain Back & Lieut. Kendall. SOLD

AB 5198. Narrative of Franklin's second overland expedition to the MacKenzie delta to explore the unknown northern coast. The first season they traveled to Great Bear Lake where winter quarters were established at Fort Franklin and Richardson undertook a survey of the Lake. The second season saw Franklin make his way westward along the coast to Return Point, Alaska from the MacKenzie delta, while Richardson explored eastward along the coast to the mouth of the Coppermine River, ascended the Coppermine and traveled overland to Fort Franklin. Throughout the narrative observations about the new country, Great Bear Lake, the ice conditions along the shores of the arctic sea, encounters with Eskimos, notes on the Dogrib Indians, the weather, travel conditions, etc are made. Scientific results are included in the Appendices. See Picture.

 

A Few Items From Raymond Adie's Library

036. Fuchs, Sir Vivian. With Sir Edmund Hillary. The Crossing of Antarctica: The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955-58. London: Cassell, 1958. 1st edition. xv,[3],338pp. Very good in very good dust jacket. Octavo. Illustrated with black and white and coloured plates (both sides) from photos and maps. Original blue cloth with silver lettering on spine in dust jacket. Endpaper maps. Signed by Sir Vivian Fuchs on half title page. Raymond Adie's copy with his signature and date on the front free endpaper. Slight darkening to spine and covers of dust jacket. Minor foxing to top edge and front fore-edge. SOLD

Spence 490. Account of the 1955-58 British Commonwealth Transantarctic expedition led by Fuchs. Sir Edmund Hillary led the NZ party responsible for laying depots for Fuchs return from the Pole to the Ross Sea. Hillary set up Scott Base on Ross Island, explored the Ross Sea Basin and then via the Skelton Glacier established Depot 700. Meant as his furthest point south, but with a month to wait for Fuchs, Hillary continued on to the Pole, reaching it on Jan 4, 1958, becoming the third person to do so by land. Fuchs left Shackleton Base on Nov. 24, 1957, with the main party reaching the Pole on Jan. 20, 1958 where he was met by Hillary, and continued on to Depot 700 on Feb 7, 1958 where Hillary, who had flown back from the Pole, guided his party to the Ross Sea. Fuchs, at McMurdo Station, was knighted by telegram; the first to cross Antarctica by land.

 

037. [Fuchs, Sir Vivian]. Foyles Luncheons Organized by Foyles Bookshop. A Luncheon in Honour of Sir Vivian Fuchs, M.A., Ph.D. To Mark the Publication of His Book "The Crossing of Antarctica". The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, W.1, Friday, 28th November, 1958. London: Foyles Books, 1958. [4]pp.. Fine. 8vo (22.5 X 13 cm). Original white and pink pamphlet with one fold. Contains the list of guests on the first 3 leaves and seating arrangements on the back leaf. Some of the distinguished guests include Mr. Neville Duke, DSO., OBE., DFC., AFC., Lady Fuchs, Lord Shackleton, Rear Admiral C.R.L. Parry, CBE., DSO. And the Dowager Lady Swaythling, OBE. A very uncommon ephemera item. SOLD

Sir Vivian Ernest Fuchs also known as "Bunny", was a renowned polar explorer and Director of the British Antarctic Survey, 1958-73. He was born on February 11, 1908 and died on November 11, aged 91. He is best known for his expeditions to the Antarctic. He published his autobiography, "A Time to Speak" in 1990.

 

038. Fuchs, Vivian, Sir. A Time to Speak: An Autobiography. Shropshire: Anthony Nelson. 1990. 1st Edition. 310pp. Very good in very good dust jacket. Octavo. Illustrated with photos and maps in text. Original blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine in dust jacket. Spine of dust jacket slightly sunned. Laid in loosely is an obituary of Raymond J. Adie, a invitation to the book launch at Heffers in Cambridge and a list of those attending the function. Title page is signed by Sir Vivian Fuchs and inscribed to Ray (Raymond J. Adie) from "Bunny" with a nice personal inscription. Raymond J. Adie's copy with his signature on front free endpaper. Foreword by Raymond J. Adie.

SOLD

Autobiography including his exploration in east Africa during the 1930's and his 1958 Transantarctic Expedition. Raymond Adie was a pioneer in Antarctic geology and past deputy director of the British Antarctic Survey.

 

039. Fuchs, Vivian, Sir. A Time to Speak: An Autobiography. Shropshire: Anthony Nelson. 1990. 1st edition. 310pp. Very good in very good dust jacket. Octavo. Illustrated with photos and maps in text. Original blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine in dust jacket. A few minor chips to edges of dust jacket. 2 newspaper clippings and a copy of a newspaper clipping pertaining to Sir Vivian Fuchs laid in loose. Title page is signed by Sir Vivian Fuchs and also signed and inscribed to Ethel Adie with a nice personal inscription, signed "Bunny" . Forward signed by Raymond J. Adie.

SOLD

Autobiography including exploration in east Africa during the 1930's and his 1958 Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Raymond Adie was pioneer in Antarctic geology and a former deputy director of the British Antarctic Survey. See Picture.
 

040. Golder, F. A. Bering's Voyages. An Account of the Efforts of the Russians to Determine the Relation of Asia to America. 2 Volumes. Volume 1: The Log Books and Official Reports of the First and Second Expeditions 1725-1730 and 1733-1742 . Volume II: Steller's Journal of the Sea Voyage from Kamchatka to America and Return on the Second Expedition 1741-1742. New York: American Geographic Society, 1935. Reprint edition. x,371;xi,[1],290pp. Very good. Small 8vo (19.5 X13 cm). Illustrated with plates from drawings, facsimiles of letters, maps (including large folding map) and charts. Original gilt lettered grey and black cloth. A bright clean and tight copy. Translated by Leonhard Stejneger. SOLD

Arctic Bibl. 34932-33- "Probably the definitive edition of a basic work on Alaska.". A.L. Washburn's copy with his signature in each volume.

 

041. Goodsir, Robert Anstruther. An Arctic Voyage to Baffin's Bay and Lancaster Sound, in Search of Friends with Sir John Franklin. London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row, 1850. 1st edition. viii,152 ,8 pp. ads. Very good. Small octavo. Illustrated with tinted frontispiece and folding map with route outlined in red. Publisher's ads at end dated March, 1850. Original blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine and blind stamped decoration around edges. A very good tight clean copy of an extremely scare title. 5000.00

AB 5919. Narrative of a voyage, undertaken in 1849, in search of the author's brother Harry, surgeon on the missing Franklin expedition, based on extracts from a rough journal. With whaling Captain Penny onboard the 'Advice' they searched Lancaster Sound and give a good description of the region, ice conditions, the birds observed, and whaling processes, etc. Goodsir would also accompany Penny on his second search attempt aboard the 'Lady Franklin'. The Levinson copy which was slightly ex-library made $13200 US ! See Picture.

 

042. Great Britain. Arctic. Expedition. Further Papers and Correspondence in Continuation of Parliamentary Paper (C.-1153] of 1875 Presented to Both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. Admiralty, July 1876. London: Printed by George Edward Eyre and William Spottiswoode, 1876. 1st Edition. 25pp. Very good. Folio. Original wrappers extracted from bound volume with usual binding remnants on spine. Overall a very nice copy.

SOLD

AB 45254. Contains Admiralty orders to Capt. G.S. Nares, progress reports to Disko and Upernavik and medical reports. Also, Allen Young's reports of his 1875 summer voyage aboard the "Pandora" to Smith Sound and back. Scarce paper relating to the Nares expedition. Parliamentary paper 1560.

 

043. Great Britain. Arctic Expedition. Papers and Correspondence Relating to the Equipment and Fitting Out of the Arctic Expedition of 1875, Including Report of the Admiralty Arctic Committee. Presented to Both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. And Chart to Accompany Papers and Correspondence Relating to the Equipment and Fitting Out of the Arctic Expedition of 1875. London: Printed by George Edward Eyre and William Spottiswoode, 1875. 1st Edition. 40pp. Very good. Folio. Illustrated with large folding coloured map of the north polar sea showing the coasts discovered by the Americans, Austrians, Germans, Swedes etc in red. Extracted from bound volume with usual remnants on binding edge.

SOLD

AB 45251 & 45252 . Planning of expedition headed by Capt. G.S. Nares, with estimated costs and logistics etc. Also data on dogs required, ice-masters, naturalists, equipment etc. Parliamentary paper C-1153 & 1153-1.

 

044. Great Britain. Arctic Expedition. Results Derived from the Arctic Expedition, 1875-76. I. - Physical Observations by Captain Sir George Nares, R.N., And Captain Feilden, &C. II. - Medical Report on the Eskimo Dog Disease, by Fleet Surgeon B. Ninnis, M.D. Presented to Both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. London: Printed by George Edward Eyre and William Spottiswoode, 1878. 1st Edition. 156pp. Very good. Folio. Illustrated with numerous charts (including folding charts) of solar radiation readings taken from the H.M.S. "Alert" & "Discovery" and 8 beautifully colored lithographs of the aurora borealis, solar phenomenon and lunar phenomenon. Number inked in on top corner of each leaf. Extracted from bound volume with usual evidence on binding edge. 2750.00

AB 45257. Tabulated data on the meteorology, hydrography, soil temperatures, atmospheric phenomena, solar radiation, aurora, terrestrial magnetism and excerpts from journals derived from the arctic expedition. Eskimo dog disease with the author's description of symptoms, treatment and pathology. Parliamentary paper C 2176. Scarce.

 

045. Great Britain. Arctic Expeditions. Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons Dated 19 November 1852; For: Copies of Any Correspondence Received at the Admiralty from Sir Edward Belcher's Squadron...And from Any Other of the Arctic Expeditions Since the Dates of the Last Returns...From Mr. Kennedy of the "Prince Albert" Discovery Ship; From Commander Inglefield of the Screw Vessel "Isabel", Reporting His Discoveries and Proceedings in the Polar Sea; Of Any Plans or Suggestions of Search for Rear-Admiral Sir John Franklin, and the Ships and Crews of His Expedition; And, Of Any Father Correspondence on the Subject of the Arctic Regions, Since the Last Laid Before This House in the Late Session (In Continuation of Arctic Papers, Session 1852). London: House of Commons, 1852. 1st Edition. iv,88pp. Very good. Folio. Illustrated with 3 folding maps. 2 maps showing the arctic sea and the discoveries of William Kennedy 1851-2 and Capt. Inglefield 1852 , the 3rd map showing the Bering Strait, Norton Sound, Kotzebue Sound, Moore harbour and the coast of North America. Original wrappers, extracted from bound volume with remnants of binding still on spine edge. Otherwise a very nice clean copy.

SOLD

AB 45238. Reports of arrival of Belcher's expedition at Beechey Island; Kennedy's reports of the voyage of the "Prince Albert into Prince Regent Inlet; Ingelfield's reports on the voyage of the "Isabel" into Smith, Jones and Lancaster Sounds. Very scarce.

 

046. Great Britain. Parliament. An Act to Continue, Until the Thirty-First Day of December One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-Four, the Bounty to Vessels Employed in the Greenland Seas and Davis's Streights; And to Authorize His Majesty to Alter the Times for the Sailing of the Said Vessels, and Any of the Limitations Contained in the Acts for Allowing the Said Bounty. [5th August 1822.] [Caption Title]. London: Printed by George Eyre and Andrew Strahan, Printers to the Kings Most Excel, 1822. [2]pp. Very good. Folio sheet disbound, printed on both sides. 135.00

At head: Anno Tertio. Georgii IV. Regis.

 

047. Hall, Charles Francis. Arctic Researches and Life Among the Esquimaux: Being the Narrative of an Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin, in the Years 1860, 1861, and 1862. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1865. 1st American Edition. xxviii,29-595pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with over 100 illustrations both full page and in text. Large coloured map of Frobisher Bay at rear. Map has had some professional repairs to folds where some tape has been removed. There has been some minor loss at the repair point. Original patterned blind stamped cloth with gilt lettering on spine. Previous owner's name on front endpapers in ink. A very good tight and clean copy better than most. 250.00

AB 6485. Narrative of Hall's first arctic expedition in 1860-62, financed by public subscription under the auspices of the American Geographical Society. They sailed in the 'George Henry' to Holsteinborg, W. Greenland, then across Davis Strait to Cornelius Grinnell Bay, Baffin Island, explored Cyrus Field and Frobisher Bay by sledge and small boat and located ruins of Martin Frobisher's stone house, several relics, and traces of his gold mining venture of 1576-78.

 

048. Hattersley-Smith, Geoffrey. Geographical Names of the Ellesmere Island National Park Reserve and Vicinity. Calgary, AB: Arctic Institute of North America of the University of Calgary, #0-919034-96-9, 1998. 1st printing. x,89pp. Fine. Octavo. Illustrated with coloured plates (both sides) from photos and large coloured folding map in pocket at rear. Original pictorial wrappers. Signed by Geoffrey Hattersley-Smith. 35.00

Geoffrey Francis Hattersley-Smith has taken part in expeditions to St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, Beaufort sea and led Canada-United States expeditions to Ellesmere Island in the Northwest Territories. Chapters include Principles of Geographical Naming, Origin of the Geographical Names, Treatment of the Geographical Names, the Geographical Names, References and Appendices.

 

049. Hearne, Samuel. A Journey from Prince of Wale's Fort in Hudson's Bay, to the Northern Ocean. Undertaken by Order of the Hudson's Bay Company for the Discovery of Copper Mines, a North West Passage, in the Years 1769, 1770, 1771 & 1772. London: A. Strahan & T. Cadell, 1795. 1st edition. xliv,458pp. + 1 leaf (ads/binder's directions). Fine. Quarto. Illustrated with folding engraved plates (including frontispiece and views) and large folding map at rear. Recent brown calf binding with gilt tooling and marbled boards. 5 raised bands with gilt tooling on spine. Marbled endpapers and all edges yellow. Armorial bookplate of B.E. Walker on front free endpaper. An attractive clean copy. Scarce. SOLD

TPL 445; Streeter 3642; Hill p.141. Hearne played an important roll in ascertaining the relation between Hudson Bay and the Arctic Ocean by his exploration of Coppermine River. The Hudson's Bay company had long been interested in investigating the reports of copper mines to the north and sent for him from Churchill northward. Hearne was the first man to travel overland to the Arctic Ocean and he discovered Great Slave Lake. A corner stone of Canadian exploration literature. See Picture.

 

050. Howay, F.W. The Dixon-Meares Controversy. Containing, Remarks on the Voyages of John Meares by George Dixon, an Answer to Mr. George Dixon, by John Meares, and Further Remarks on the Voyages of John Meares, by George Dixon. Toronto, Ont.: Ryerson Press, 1929. 1st edition. xii,[4],156pp. Very good. Limited edition of 500 copies have been printed, of which 450 are supplied to subscribers and this is copy number 45. Octavo. Illustrated with maps, facsimile title pages and frontispiece from painting. Blue coloured colophon designed by Charles W. Jefferys, R.C.A. Top edge blue. Bright tight copy with unfaded spine. 135.00

Captain John Meares and Captain George Dixon were fur traders off the Northwest coast between 1785 and 1787. The dispute mainly centered on a pamphlet Dixon had wrote criticizing Meares' account of his 1788-89 voyages. This resulted in a battle of words between Meares and Dixon and culminated with the realization that Meares had endeavoured to magnify his own explorations at the expense of his predecessors" and that statements were made without fact and a disregard for the truth.

 

051. Huntford, Roland. Shackleton. New York: Atheneum, #0-689-11429-X, 1986. 1st American Edition. xx,774pp. Fine in fine dust jacket. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos. Original black and cream cloth with gilt lettering on front cover and spine in dust jacket. Endpaper maps. Tight and clean. 90.00

Shackleton served with Commander R.E. Scott on the "Discovery" expedition of 1900. During the Nimrod expedition of 1907-1909 Shackleton came within 100 miles of the South pole and returned to England a hero. His most famous expedition was the 1914- 1916 "Endurance" expedition where Shackleton attempted to cross Antarctica from the Weddell Sea, to the Ross Sea, by way of the Pole. Huntford continues with Shackleton after his more controversial Scott and Amundsen biography. A wonderful and extremely detailed read.

 

052. Joyce, Ernest E. M. The South Polar Trail .The Log of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. London: Duckworth, 1929. 1st Edition. (Hardcover) 220pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos (including frontispiece). Original blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine. This book was reviewed by Dr. Rudmore Brown for the Manchester Guardian. Dr. Rudmore Brown was the author of "A naturalist at the Poles, the life, work & voyages of Dr. W. S. Bruce the polar explorer ... " 2 review slips and a newspaper clipping reviewing the book laid in loose. A tight clean copy.

1250.00

Spence 642. First & only edition and very scarce. Narrative of the Ross Sea party of Skackleton's "Endurance" expedition, sent to lay depots for the proposed crossing of the continent. This was the copy of Ray Adie (purchased from his sale of books last year) and was probably given to him by Rudmose Brown who reviewed this particular copy.

 

053. Klondike. Concert in Aid of the Widows & Orphans of the "Absent Minded Begger". Dawson, Y.T. February 15th , MCM. Yukon: , 1900. 1st edition. [2]. Very good. 12mo (14 X 10 cm). Illustrated with coloured flag on front cover (the union jack), decoration on inside cover and red coloured maple leafs on the back cover. Original concert programme. Concert program is in two parts, with Songs, Recitation, Physical Drills with the Yukon Field Force, and tabled in the first part. Bayonet Excercise, songs, Bagpipe, sword dance and "The Absent Minded Beggar" making up the second part. A poem by Kipling on the back cover. Very attractive woodblock/calligraphy design accents this uncommon item. SOLD

Consists of the Patrons: the Commissioner of the Yukon Territory - the Honourable Mr. Justice Dugas and the Committee - Major Perry, Major Hemming, Mr. F.C. Wade, Q.C., Dr. MacDonald, Mr. Alex McDonald, Mr. McMullen, Capt. Thacker, Mr. McCaul, Q.C., Supt. Primrose, Mr. Doig, Mr. Lithgow and Mr. Hulme. Major Perry. This is a wonderful bit of Dawson ephemera.

 

054. Klondike Colliery Engineering Company. Placer Mining. A Hand-Book for Klondike and Other Miners and Prospectors with Introductory Chapters Regarding the Recent Gold Discoveries in the Yukon Valley, the Routes to the Gold Fields, Outfit Required, and Mining Regulations of Alaska and the Canadian Yukon Also a Map of the Yukon Valley, Embracing All the Information Obtainable from Reliable Sources Up to December 1st, 1897. Scranton, Pa.: Colliery Engineer Company, 1897. 1st. vi,146 pp.. Very good. 12mo (19 X 13 cm). Illustrated with drawings and diagrams in text and large folding map showing the Yukon River and Gold Fields. Interesting endpaper adverts. Original light gray decorated cloth with endpaper ads on pastedowns. Some slight darkening to spine else a tight clean copy of an uncommon book. 500.00

Tourville 978; Wickersham 3905. See Picture.

 

055. Klondike Lugrin, Charles Henry. Yukon Gold Fields. Map Showing Routes from Victoria, B.C., To the Various Mining Camps on the Yukon River and Its Branches. Mining Regulations of the Dominion Government and Forms of Application Together with - Table of Distances, Extracts from Mr. Ogilvie's Reports, and Other Information. Victoria, B.C.: Chas. H. Lugrin, 1897. 1st edition. 28pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with folding coloured map of the Yukon & Cassiar gold fields showing the routes from Victoria B.C. And location of Placer ground now being exploited. Original red printed wrappers. Minor soiling and paper repairs but overall a nice copy of a very rare item. SOLD

Tourville 2808. The many pages of ads are all from Victoria and Vancouver and are all very interesting.

 

056. Klondike McDonald’s Bonanza Limited. Complimentary Dinner to Mr. Alexander McDonald and Mr. H.A. Ferguson, Local Directors, McDonald’s Bonanza (Klondike), Limited, on February 24th, 1899. London: Page and Pratt Limited, 1899. 18 pp.. Very good. Octavo. Original blue decorative wrappers with sewn as issued. Remnants of adhesion on the rear wrapper where the item was glued into an album. Minor soiling otherwise very good condition. Signed by Alex McDonald. SOLD

This rare piece of Klondike ephemera details a meeting in London England and seems to be somewhat of a progress report on mining to date. Very interesting content. Also laid in is a cancelled cheque dated Aug 3, 1898 on the CIBC bank in Dawson signed by Alex McDonald.

 

057. Klondike. Nel Klondyke. N. 14. Biblioteca Illustrata Dei Viaggi Intorno Al Mondo Per Terra E Per Mare. Milano: Societa Editrice Sonzogno, 1899. 1st edition. 32 pp.. Very good. Small octavo (22 X 13.5 cm). Illustrated with drawings from engravings and map. Drawings include Yukon ports, Chilkoot pass and miners on the move. Original decorative wrappers. A bright clean copy from the Yukon gold rush period. SOLD

This does not seem to show up in any of the standard works. The end of the text is signed Stefano Richet. This appears to be from the illustrations and the text headings to be an Italian guide on how to get to the Klondike, perhaps the author was a participant in the rush. See Picture.

 

058. [Klondike]. White Pass and Yukon Route. To the Land Where Beauty Does Abide. Seattle, Wash.: White Pass & Yukon Route, 1923. 1st printing. 32pp.. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with photos in text including Juneau settled in 1881, the Terrible Climb Over Chilcoot Pass, the Trail of 98 and Atlin Lake Trout. Original green stapled wrappers with tipped in photo of mountain scene on front cover. 250.00

Tourville 4839. Covers points of interest, distances traveled and also the difficulties and hardships of the pioneers as they made their way over the trails in '97 and '98.

 

059. Lachambre. Henri. Andree and His Balloon. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co, 1898. 1st edition. (Hardcover) viii, 9-305,[1] + 16pp. ads. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos and coloured frontis. Original decorative blue cloth with gilt lettering. Tear to half title page neatly repaired. Minor fading to spine. Presentation copy with blindstamp "Presented by Archibald Constable" on title page. Tight clean copy. 175.00

AB 9534. Andree's unsuccessful balloon expedition in the 'Svensksund' to the North Pole with an added biography of Andree, a description of his balloon and an account of his earlier trip in 1986 to West Spitsbergen in the 'Virgo' and his sojourn on Danish Island.

 

060. Lecointe, G . Commission Polaire Internationale Session de 1908 Proces-Verbaux Des Seances. International Polar Commission Session of 1908 Proceedings of the Meetings. Internationale Polar-Kommission Tagung Von 1908 Protokoll Der Sitzungen. Bruxelles: Hayez, Imprimeur Des Academies Royales de Belgique, 1908. 1st Edition. 110,clxii pp.. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with plate from photo ( Polar Tractor) and diagrams in text. Original green printed wrappers. Small card "With compliments of the Musee oceanographique de Monaco laid in. A fine clean copy. SOLD

Contains the List of Delegates of States, Programme of the meeting, Inaugural Meeting and the Meetings of May 29, 1908 and Saturday, May, 30. Very scarce.

 

061. Lecointe, Georges. Im Reiche Der Pinguine. Schilderungen Von Der Fahrt Der,,Belgica''. Halle: Druck Und Verlag Von Gebauer Schwetfchke, 1904. 1st Edition. xi,[1],220pp. Very good. Quarto. With 98 illustrations from photos and diagrams in text and 5 folding maps. Original decorative blind-stamped blue cloth with gilt lettering on front cover. Decorative endpapers and marbled fore-edge. A clean and tight copy. 1750.00

The Belgica sailed from Antwerp, Belgium in 1897 and is considered the first expedition to Antarctica to conduct solely scientific studies. The expedition was wrought with problems including being caught in the ice. Amongst the crew members was Roald Amundsen and Frederick A. Cook. This is the rare German edition of Spence 698.

 

062. McKenna, J.A.J. The Hudson Bay Route a Compilation of Facts with Conclusions. Ottawa: Government Printing Bureau, 1908. 1st Edition. 54 pp.. Very good, original printed red wrappers. Minor staining mainly on the edges with the frontis illustration having a small old tide line in the corner. 7 illustration from photos and line drawings. Two folding coloured maps in the rear, one of Churchill harbour and the other of the railway route to the south from Churchill. 75.00

Arctic Biblio. 2733.

 

063. Melville, George W. In the Lena Delta. A Narrative of the Search for Lieu-Commander Delong and His Companions. Followed by an Account of the Greely Relief Expedition and a Proposed Method of Reaching the North Pole. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1884. Early Reprint. xiii,[5],497pp. Fine. Octavo. Illustrated with sixteen illustrations including frontis. Four double page maps. Original decorative green cloth with black lettering on front cover and gilt lettering on spine. Black coated endpapers. Decorative initialed label on front pastedown. With a long inscription and signed by the author on the front endpaper.. Also, a letter in a Melville and Macalpine envelope, signed and inscribed by Melville: "Dear Mrs. Loeb" "Your very pleasant note is to hand. I am delighted if I have been able [to] give you or your boys any pleasure in life. I am more than pleased that I sent you the book." I am respectfully Geo. W. Melville. A very attractive copy. Edited By Melville Philips. SOLD

Arctic Bibl. 11239. Reprinted several times.

 

064. Mill, Hugh Robert. The Siege of the South Pole. The Story of Antarctic Exploration. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1905. 1st American Edition. xvi,455pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with numerous plates from photos and paintings, maps (including folding maps and large coloured folding map at rear), drawings and maps in text. Original green decorative cloth with pictorial label of "The Ramparts of the South Pole" on front cover and white lettering and decoration on spine. Previous owner's name on front pastedown. Tight bright and clean copy. SOLD

Rosove 226.A1.c. A classic account of Antarctic exploration.

 

Mulroy Original Diary

065. Mulroy, Thomas B. 1928-1930 Byrd Antarctic Expedition. Chief Engineer Thomas B. Mulroy's Personal Diary for August 24, 1928 to December 31, 1928 and January 1, 1930, to May 2, 1930. 1926. Very good. Thomas B. Mulroy : 1896 - 1962. One of Rear Admiral Richard Byrd's best friends, acting as chief engineer and fuel engineer on Byrd's early adventures. A small Antarctic island is named Mulroy Island in his honor. 1928-30 Byrd Antarctic Expedition- Chief Engineer Thomas B. Mulroy's Personal Diary for August 24 to December 31 of the year 1928 and also January 1 to May 2 of the year 1930. Before this trip, his second with Byrd, Thomas Mulroy's friends got together and bought him this handsome, leather-bound, personalized journal with "Smiling Tom Mulroy" and "Byrd Antarctic Expedition 1928" gold-stamped on the cover. They have inscribed and signed the first blank page. The first lined page has a poignant message from Mulroy, in full: "Thanks to my 'Pals' for this little gift. My Request- If anything should happen to me that I should not return safe with my comrades, may some one forward this book to my 'Great Pal' and 'Leader' 'Comdr. R.E. Byrd,' who in turn shall give it to my Sister Della ['wife Ruth' has been crossed out ], Mulroy, and read it to my 'Pals' Signed Lt. 'Tom' Mulroy Chief Eng.". SOLD

This 1928 expedition to the Antarctic was really the first to take full advantage of modern technologies such as airplanes, aerial cameras, snowmobiles, and sophisticated radio communication. Two ships and three airplanes were taken; the first ship, the City of New York, left Hoboken on August 25, 1928. A base camp, "Little America" was set up on the Ross Ice Shelf and many scientific surveys were carried out from there. On November 29, 1929, Byrd and three others attempted to fly the Floyd Bennett (named after Byrd's late pilot) to the South Pole and back in a 18+ hour trip. Mulroy's detailed journal gives a "you were there" insight into the long journey: August 25 - "Well here I am again starting out on another great adventurous trip to the South Pole with 70 souls including Comdr Byrd. I wonder how many of these fine healthy looking men will return safe and sound. I do hope if anything should happen to me while down on that unknown continent they would leave me there in the great silent which I love so well. August 30 - "...checking over food supplies, well I hope who ever loaded this ship all their children are borned [sic] with tails..." September 1 - "Weather dam [sic] hot...Had all hands on deck to-night and each member had a musical instrument of some kind it sure did sound like hell..." September 3 - "...So this is Labor Day, but it doesn't mean a dam [sic] thing to us, as we labor just the same..." October 3 - "...we received word that the white collared brigade of the expedition lefted [sic] by rail for San Pedro...after sending us a coded message tell us to cut down our meats, provisions, and expenses in each dept. As the expedition has a shortage of $150,000 why shouldn't it when that gang of bums ride around in Pullman cars. Oh! Boy I'm just waiting for the day to put some of those S.B.s on the ice..." October 16 - "Well I had a very pleasant surprize [sic] yesterday evening, the gang aft happened to find out it was my birthday so Doc broke out a bottle of rum and for a birthday cake with candles, we had a doughnut with 8 matches in it..." December 1 - "Loading cargo & dogs sure are a fine bunch of dogs. Ready to leave..." December 9 - "...we are passing our first ice, I have never seen such icebergs in my life..." December 11/10 - "They are just hauling a whale up through the trap door...the only thing they don't use of the whale is the grunt it makes when struck by the harpoon..." the entire year of 1929 is in a separate journal not offered here Mulroy picks up the narrative again in this book on January 1, 1930 as they are preparing to go home. January 4 - "...people in the states or elsewhere do not realize the torture a man undergoes when down here at this time, one is confined to a small area day in & day out with nothing to do only wait, the bay is to [sic] dangerous due to the breaking up..." January 8 - "It really stopped blowing & drifting...so all hand took to the great Antarctic sport shoveling snow as every window, storeroom, entrance & gasolene [sic] tunnel filled to the top..." February 1 - "Well another month...just making time...it's the same old talk about getting out..." February 17 - "...that one thing I hold against Comdr. He'll never consult anyone who nows [sic] anything about it. I'm sorry but I think this expedition spells his finish..." March 11 - "In Dunedin having a hell of a good time. It seems like the people of New Zealand can not do enough for us." March 24 - "At Sea rough as hell half the gang sea sick or rum sick bound for Papeete Tahiti" April 11 - "...Lord but she is a miserable ship, I've never seen such a discontented gang of men in my life as we have on board here" April 14 - "...what a time one can have on this beautiful Island They gave a dance for us...never seen such beautiful women in my life...half French & half Tahitian and love, Oh, boy, they have it..." In addition to pithy daily entries; Mulroy kept track of distance travelled, longitude/latitude, weather, and temperatures. Included are a number of additional items that include: Printed in the Antarctic: University of the Antarctic. Little America, Antarctica. May 17th, 1929. Radio or "Continental Morse" Code, Phonetic Memory Chart. A listing of the Alphabet A through Z with code sound: 'B' Dah dit dit dit and a memory word or group: BLUEberrybush. Printed in Antarctic, on legal size paper Mimeographed legal size sheet. A Happy Birthday Larry. Welcome Back Old Sun, Menu for August 22, 1929. With illustration by Bernt Balchen [in charge of aviation] Printed in Antarctic Mimeographed legal size sheet. Menu. May 9, 1926, with a cartoon illustration of an aeroplane flying over the North Pole. Stamped on reverse with South Pole Air Mail stamp cancellation. Typed page of song Lyrics: 'No Speed at All' Typed on-board-ship news letter, Extra, Local Interest: Announcing engagement of Edna Crockett [daughter of Expedition member Frederick E. Crockett] to Expedition member G. Hamilton Black: Irene Siple first woman to endure "hardships" of the Antarctic: Professor Frank…sat in the crapper this morning planning his day's magnetic work. Hand drawn card "A Happy Voyage Home for Chief Engineer Mulroy of the 'City of New York' Little America, Antc. August 25, 1929, on Byrd Antarctic Expedition letterhead HLS ; to Mervyn Norton, c/o Norton Lily [Lilly] & Co., Beaver St. New York. "Dear Marvyn & Marjaray, Introducing you to one of the best - Love Jeanne" [Norton Lily: steamship agents]; on a torn corner of paper "$20 from Czegka" [Victor H. Czegka , Machinist.] Some very nice original negative contact strip photos, all relating to Mulroy's time on the expedition. A group of transcripts that appear to have been "sanitized" by Mulroy, possibly in preparation for publication are also included: "South Pole Trip with Commander E Byrd August 25th, 1926 - June 1930 by Thomas B. Mulroy" [Text of Diary offered here] 39 typed pages on onion skin: "Expedition to South Pole with Admiral Richard E. Byrd August 1928 to June 1930 by Thomas B. Mulroy Chief Engineer of Expedition", 4 pages typed carbon copy, page #3 in duplicate. These pages possibly done as a sample for submission to a publisher. 26 typed pages on legal size foolscap and lined writing pages, composed in a narrative style as if intended for a book chapter. An excellent primary historical archive from an important Antarctic expedition. See Picture.

 

066. Murphy, David. The Arctic Fox. Francis Leopold McClintock. Discoverer of the Fate of Franklin. Toronto: Dundurn Group, #1-55002-523-6, 2004. 1st edition. xiii,[1],201pp. Fine in fine dust jacket. Octavo. Illustrated with photos, paintings (including frontispiece), drawings and maps. Original blue cloth with silver lettering on spine in dust jacket. Includes bibliographical references. As new. SOLD

McCllintock first began searching for Franklin in 1848 with Ross, aboard the Enterprise. In 1857 McClintock again began searching for Franklin aboard the Fox at the request of Lady Franklin. After finding human remains and written documents, McClintock declared that the entire crew of the Franklin expedition had perished.

 

067. Naess, Erling D. Antarctic Journey (1934-1935). London: Self Published, 1936. 1st edition. 96pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos, map showing route taken outlined in red, diagrams and drawings. Original grey cloth with gilt lettering on front cover. Inscribed by Naess to a friend. Also included is "Southward Bound" a separately produced pamphlet detailing the story of the "Sir James Clark Ross", a whaling ship stationed in Cape Town and its expeditions to the Antarctic in search of Whale. This book is quarto, printed wrappers, 15p. The second item appears to be by the ships doctor, Sverre Haug. Additionally inscribed from the dedicatee to Sue. Both items in very good condition with only minor soiling. Signed and inscribed by Erling D. Naess. SOLD

Diary of a journey aboard the Whaling ship "Viking" that sailed from Cape Town on December 16, 1934 to the Antarctic in search of whale. Interesting insights into the hunting techniques of the whalers. Both items are rare with only the Naess item showing up in the National Library of Scotland. Prime Antarctic whaling items.

 

068. Nansen, Fridtjof. The Norwegian North Polar Expedition 1893-1896. Scientific Results. IV. An Account of the Birds by Robert Collett and Fridtjof Nansen. London: Longman's Green, 1899. 1st edition. 53, [2]. Very good. Quarto. Illustrated with Coloured plate from watercolour entitled "Rhodostethia Rosea (Mag) 1824, Young in First Plumage". Original black and green cloth with gilt lettering on spine. Boards somewhat bowed. Decorative endpapers. Bright tight copy. Scarce. Signed and inscribed by Fridtjof Nansen.

SOLD

Arctic Bibl. 12004. This item consists only of Part IV of Volume One. Inscribed and signed by Nansen on the title page to Georg Carl Amdrup another polar explorer.

 

069. Nares, Captain. The Official Report of the Recent Arctic Expedition. London: John Murray, 1876. 1st edition. 96pp. Very good. Octavo (21.5 X 14cm) Illustrated with frontispiece map showing the arctic regions and recent explorations made in H.M.Ships Alert and Discovery 1875-6. Original blue printed wrappers. Early contemporary inscription on front cover "A.S.W.F. From F.H.W.F.", Dec. 5th 1876. SOLD

Not in AB. This is the first published account of the arctic expedition led by Captain George Nares in the ships H.M.S. "Alert" and H.M.S. "Discovery". This account starts with the ships leaving Upernivick on July 22nd, 1875 to find the best route to the North Pole. The ships returned to Portsmouth in October 1876 after experiencing many hardships including the outbreak of scurvy among the crew. Consists of a short synopsis of events that occurred during the expedition: "First ice sighted off Cape Sabine"," Formation of an Ice Floe", News from Greenland Division" etc. Very Scarce especially in the original wrappers. See Picture.

 

070. Nordenskiold, A.E. The Voyage of the Vega Round Asia and Europe. With the Historical Review of Previous Journeys Along the North Coast of the Old World. 3 Volumes [Including Map Volume]. London: MacMillan and Co., 1881. 1st U.K. edition. xxv,[1],524;xvii,[3]464;maps. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with 5 steel engraved portraits. 10 lithographed maps. 298 illustrations in text and full page. Original green cloth with gilt decoration on front cover and gilt lettering on spine. Map volume is same green cloth with blind stamped lettering. The map volume duplicates all ten maps bound in the text volumes. Black coated endpapers. Minor professional restoration to the front joints. Text volumes slightly askew. Very nice clean set without foxing. Rare with the extra suite of maps. Translated by Alexander Leslie. 750.00

Arctic Biblio. 12445 Includes account of the Vega's Northeast Passage, the explorer's life among the Chukchis at Pitlekay in the winter of 1878-9, Nordenskiold's sketch of his trip up the Yenisey in 1875 and the voyage of the Lena up the Lena River.

 

071. Nordenskiold, Her Professor. Nordost-Passagen. Vid Publicistklubbens Fest for Nordenskiold. Den 30 April 1880. Stockholm: C.E. Fritze's Kungl, Hof-Bokhandel, 1880. 1st edition. 24pp. Fine. Folio. Illustrated with drawings from engravings, diagrams and maps (including coloured map at rear). Original red decorative stamped cloth with gilt lettering and gilt image of a ship on front cover. Text block loosely attached to binding as issued. A very attractive, bright and clean copy. SOLD

Nordenskiold, navigated the North-East Passage on the Vega in 1878-1880. His voyage from Norway to the Bering Straight and his search for a North-East Passage became his most famous book; translated into 11 different languages. This very attractive folio seems to be in commemoration of his North-East-Passage achievement. See Picture.

 

072. Nordenskjold, Otto. Fran Eldslandet. Skildringar Fran Den Svenska Expeditionen Till Magellanslanderna 1895 - 97. Stockholm: P.A. Norstedt & Soners Forlag, 1898. 1st Edition. 254pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos (including frontispiece), drawings, photos and maps in text and large coloured map of the Magellan Territories in pocket at rear. Original tan cloth with map decoration and red lettering on front cover and gilt lettering and decoration on spine. Decorative bookplate on front pastedown. A tight clean copy. Scarce. SOLD

An account of the Fran Den Svenka expedition to the Megellan islands. Not a well known title by Nordenskjold but filled with much detail on the southern tip of South America including many fine illustrations of ethnographic nature.

 

073. Nourse, Prof. J. E. American Explorations in the Ice Zones. The Expeditions of Dehaven, Kane, Rodgers, Hayes, Hall, Schwatka, and Delong; The Relief Voyages for the Jeanette by the U.S. Steamers Corwin, Rodgers, and Alliance; The Cruises of Captains Long and Raynor of the Merchant Service; The Greely Expedition and Rescue of the Survivors; The Discoveries of Lieutenant Lockwood, and the Naval Explorations in Alaska Under Lieutenants Ray and Stoney with a Brief Notice of the Antarctic Cruise Under Lieutenant Wilkes, 1840, and of the Locations and Objects of the U.S. Signal Service Arctic Observers. Boston: D. Lothrop and Company, 1884. 5th Edition. 624pp. Fine. Octavo. Illustrated with photos and drawings in text. Original silver decorated teal cloth with black and silver lettering on front cover and silver lettering and black decoration on spine. Tight clean and bright, an extremely attractive copy. SOLD

A survey of American Polar explorations "prepared chiefly from Official Sources". See Front Cover.

 

074. Nourse, Prof. J. E. Hall, Charles Francis. Narrative of the Second Arctic Expedition Made by Charles F. Hall: His Voyage to Repulse Bay, Sledge Journeys to the Straits of Fury and Hecla and to King William's Land, and Residence Among the Eskimos During the Years 1864-'69. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1879. 1st Edition. l,644 pp.. Very good. Quarto. Frontis. 7 plates. 20 maps including 8 folding. Folding facsimile. Original green cloth with gilt decoration of expedition members and their dogs pulling a sledge though the snow on front cover and gilt lettering on spine. A few pages roughly opened otherwise a very nice clean copy far better than the norm. Edited By Prof. J. E. Nourse. 450.00

Arctic Biblio. 6486 with the bookplate of William Herbert Hobbs on the front paste down.

 

075. Pallas, P. S. Voyages de M.P.S. Pallas, En Differentes Provinces de L'empire de Russie, et Dans L'asie Septentrionale. Cinq Volumes in 4, et Un de Planches. Paris: Lagrange, 1788 - 1793. 1st French Edition. [4], xxxii, 773p. [3p. Errata];[4], 550p., [1p. Errata];[4], 491p., [1p. Errata];[4],722p., [2p. Errata];[iv], 559p., [1p. Errata];Atlas: [iv],. Very good. Volumes 1 - 5 octavo and volume 6 folio. Volume 6 contains all the plates from the other 5 volumes. Volume 6 is illustrated with a very large folding map of 1787 Russia and 3 additional folding maps and 122 plates from engravings (including frontis from volume 1). Rebacked in new half brown calf with original marbled boards. Two gilt lettered maroon labels on back of spine of each volume and 5 raised bands on spine of each volume. Armorial bookplate of William Henry Fitten, M.D. On front pastedown of each volume. Some minor soiling, mainly on the edges otherwise a very attractive set. Scarce. 5250.00

M.P.S. Pallas (1741-1811) was a German doctor who lived most of his life in Russia and was commissioned by Catherine II to conduct scientific expeditions though Central Asia and Russia. He recorded the geology, fauna and flora of the regions as well as describing the sights, animals, costumes and architecture of the various inhabitants. First French edition after the first German published in St. Petersburg. William Henry Fitten was a British geologist/doctor who published a number of early 19th century works on geology/paleontology. He was awarded the Wollaston medal in 1852.

 

076. Parliamentary Bill. A Bill for More Effectually Discovering the Longitude at Sea, and Encouraging Attempts to Find a Northern Passage Between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and to Approach the Northern Pole. 1818. 9 (1) pp. Very good. Folio (32.5 X 20.5 cm). Extracted from bound volume with usual remnants along binding edge. SOLD

This Bill dated 9 March 1818 details the existing requirements for encouragement of the discovery of the Northwest Passage and the North Pole. The Bills seem much scarcer than the Published Bills. Shortly after the Act was passed William Edward Parry on his 1819-20 expedition claimed the farthest west Longitude reached.

 

077. Parliamentary Bill. A Bill Entitled an Act for More Effectually Discovering the Longitude at Sea, and Encouraging Attempts to Find a Northern Passage Between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and to Approach the Northern Pole. London: , 1818. 11,(1) pp.l. Very good. Folio. (32.5 X 21.5 cm). Extracted from a bound volume with usual remnants remaining on the binding edge. SOLD

This Bill published in 2nd of April 1818 supercedes the previous two Acts of 1745 and 1766 to offer rewards for the discovery of the Northern Passage between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Bills seem much scarcer than that actual Acts that were passed. See next item for another version published 9 March, 1818.

 

078. Payer, Julius. New Lands Within the Arctic Circle. Narrative of the Discoveries of the Austrian Ship "Tegetthoff" in the Years 1872-74. New York: D. Appleton & Company, 1877. 1st edition. xxiv [4],399 + [6]pp. ads. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with colour lithograph frontispiece, wood engraved illustrations in text (some full paged) and a double-paged map. Original brick red cloth with gilt decoration on front cover and gilt lettering and decoration on spine. Some minor foxing to endpapers. A bright tight copy.

SOLD

Arctic Biblio. 13202. Narrative of the Austrian expedition under Payer and Karl Weyprecht, and the discovery and preliminary exploration of Franz Josef Land. See Picture.

 

079. Pearce, Richard. Marooned in the Arctic. Diary of the Dominion Explorer's Expedition to the Arctic, August to December 1929. Toronto: Privately Printed for the Author, 1931. 1st edition. 71pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with 5 plates from photos and map. Original maroon cloth with gilt lettering on front cover. Minor wear at the spine tips. Inscribed and signed on verso of front free endpaper by the author. Tight clean copy. Signed and inscribed by Richard Pearce. 225.00

AB 13212. Printed in the office of the Northern Miner, of which Pearce was editor, in a small edition - one for each of the 8 members of the expedition plus a few additional. The expedition, surveying by air for minerals in the Canadian arctic, was forced down at Dease Point, and spent several weeks with the Eskimos. They eventually reached Cambridge Bay on foot. Scarce.

 

080. Peary, Robert E. The North Pole. Its Discovery in 1909 Under the Auspices of the Peary Arctic Club. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1910. 1st Trade Edition. xxxii,[2],373pp. Fine. Octavo. Illustrated with 8 coloured plates (including frontispiece), numerous black and white plates from photos, illustrations in text from facsimiles and folding coloured map (at rear). Original blue decorative cloth with gilt lettering on front cover and spine. Top edge gilt. Old newspaper burn on pages 282/283 Signed and inscribed by Robert E. Peary to "my friend Governor Aram J. Pothier...". Aram J. Pothier was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 1908 and was elected 7 more times after that. A very attractive, clean, tight and bright copy. Signed and inscribed by Robert E. Peary. 800.00

Arctic Bibl. 13230. The first trade edition, in the preferred decorated binding. There is also a wonderful inscription filling the front free endpaper from previous owner Captain Robert H. Goodwin M.D., talking about Peary and boys heroes. See Picture.

 

081. Peary, Robert E. Secrets of Polar Travel. New York: Century Co., 1917. 1st edition. ix-[xiv],313pp. Fine in very good dust jacket. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos (including frontispiece). Original grey decorative cloth with blue lettering on front cover and spine. Dust jacket. Previous owner's name on front free endpaper. Some minor chips to edges of dust jacket but overall a very nice copy in the very scarce dust wrapper. SOLD

Arctic Bibl. 13228. Last and scarcest of Peary's books. Includes chapters on building a polar ship, selecting men, polar clothing, utilization of Eskimos & dogs, sledge equipment, etc. See Picture.

 

082. Petersen, Carl. Den Sidste Franklin-Expedition Med "Fox", Capt. M'clintock. Copenhagen: Fr. Woldikes Forlagsboghandel, 1860. 1st Edition. [6], 266.. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with 8 lithographed plates, frontispiece from steel engraving, illustrations from drawings (including coloured blue flag on title page), folding facsimile of a document and 4 maps (including 3 folding maps. Yellow coated endpapers. Original green blindstamped cloth with gilt lettering and decoration on spine. Previous owner's name on title page. Scattered foxing. A very good tight copy. Scarce. SOLD

Not in AB. Narrative of the British Franklin search expedition sponsored by Lady Franklin, in the 'Fox' under McClintock, sent out to determine how Franklin and his men had died, written by the interpreter J.C.C. Petersen.

 

083. Rasmussen, Knud. Meddelelser Om Gronland.... I: Report on the II. Thule-Expedition for the Exploration of Greenland from Melville Bay to de Long Fjord, 1916 - 1918 by Knud Rasmussen. II: Contributions to the Glaciology of North Greenland by Lauge Koch. Two Volumes in One. Kobenhavn: C.A. Reitzels Forlag, 1928. 1st edition. 464pp. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with numerous photos, drawings, maps (including coloured folding maps and diagrams). Original green printed wrappers. Tears to ends of spine and minor chips to edges of covers. Minor old creases to rear wrapper. Previous owner's small rubber stamp on front cover. Minor soiling to wrappers. Very good copy of a fragile item. SOLD

Arctic Biblio. 14231.

 

084. Reeves, E.A. Hints to Travellers. 2 Volumes. Volume One: Survey and Field Astronomy. Volume Two: Organization and Equipment , Scientific Observation, Health, Sickness, and Injury. London: Royal Geographical Society, 1938. 1st edition. viii,448,xviii;vv,[1],472,[8],xvii. Very good in very good dust jacket. 12mo. (17.5 X 13 cm). Illustrated with numerous photos, diagrams, tables, charts and maps (many coloured and folding). Original blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine in dust jacket. Dust jacket slightly dusty with minor chips to edges. Rubber stamp on front free endpaper of each volume. A wealth of information including Polar related tables. SOLD

The eleventh edition completely revamped the 10th edition chapters on Survey and Field Astronomy. Sections on Distances by Optical Methods, Reconnaissance by Motor Car, Photographic Surveying, Radio Time Signals, Position Line methods and Refraction in Extreme Conditions were revised. Tables for Survey Computations extended to include the Pole.

 

085. Reeves, Randall R. With Edward Mitchell. History of White Whale (Delphinapterus Leucas) Exploitation in Eastern Hudson Bay and James Bay. Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 95. Ottawa, Ontario: Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 1987. 1st edition. vi,45 pp.. Fine. Quarto. Illustrated with photos in text, tables, map and facsimiles of letters. Original pictorial wrappers. Scarce. SOLD

An excellent study on the state of the white whale in Eastern Hudson Bay. Includes Chronological review of the Hudson's Bay Company Fisheries at Great Whale and Little Whale Rivers from 1750-1950 and white whale hunting in other areas.

 

086. Robert E. Peary Decanter. The Great Americans. Robert E. Peary. Weston, Mo.: McCormick Distilling Company, [no date]. Very good. Robert E. Peary decanter. American Porcelain. Beautiful representation of Robert E. Peary in brown fur parka, carrying a sextant with a husky dog at his side. In original blue box which is somewhat worn. Condition is excellent. SOLD

This wonderfull Peary commemorative makes a great display piece for a library. Regretfully the contents are now absent!

 

087. Ross, Sir John. Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-West Passage, and of a Residence in the Arctic Regions During the Years 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833. Appendix to the Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-West Passage, and of a Residence in the Arctic Regions During the Years 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833. By Sir John Ross, C.B., K.S.A., K.C.S., &C. &C. Captain in the Royal Navy. Including the Reports of Commander, Now Captain, James Clark Ross, R.N., F.R.S., F.L.S., &C. And the Discovery of the Northern Magnetic Pole. 2 Volumes. London: A. W. Webster, 1835. 1st Edition. xxxiii,[1],740;xii,120,cxliv pp.. Very good. Quarto. Illustrated with hand coloured plates from drawings, steel engravings (including frontispiece) and large hand coloured folding map. Both volumes beautifully bound in contemporary dark green calf with gilt tooling, dentelle and gilt lettering on front covers and spine. 5 raised bands. All edges died red. Marbled endpapers and reinforced hinges. Scattered foxing mainly on the odd edge otherwise a clean tight bright copy in a very attractive binding.

3500.00

Arctic Biblio. 14866 the set has the unusual feature where the appendix volume has been bound first, followed by the main voyage. The main voyage has then been split at page 200 to form the second Volume. The Appendix was issued separately from the Narrative and is quite often missing. It contains information on the Esquimaux and their vocabulary, Native Populations of Greenland, Chronometers and the Aurora Borealis. Natural history including zoology and geology. Meteorological observations and tables. See Front Cover.

088. Scott, Captain Robert F. Royal Doulton Collectors' Gallery Edition, British Heroes, Captain Scott Leaving Cape Evans. London: Royal Doulton, 1995. Fine, Royal Doulton hand-decorated bone china plate produced from the original artwork by Andrew Wheatcroft and issued in a limited edition of three thousand five hundred of which this is no. 125. Includes a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stuart Lyons, CBE, Chief Executive Royal Doulton. Red transfer design with flags, ropes and instruments around rim and picture of Scott and assistants leading a team of horses leaving Cape Evans. A very attractive plate. SOLD

Cape Evans is on the west side of Ross Island in the Antarctic. Originally the cape was called "Skuary" after it was discovered by the Discovery expedition (1901-04) under the leadership of Captain Scott. It was during Scott's second expedition, the British Antarctic Expedition, the Cape was renamed "Evans Cape" after it built its headquarters here. It was named after Lieutenant Edward R.G.R. Evans, second in command of the expedition. See Picture.

 

089. Scott, Captain Robert F. Autograph Letter on National Antarctic Expedition Letterhead. London: , May 21, 1901. 2 pp.  SOLD

Very good. Two page (8vo) 17 line autograph letter signed R.F. Scott address to Dear Sir. An interesting brief note from Scott to some unknown contributor to the future National Antarctic Expedition. Scott acknowledges the donation was for balloon equipment and the "Project has the support of Joseph Hooker the only survivor of Sir James Ross' Expedition. Scott goes on to talk about the desire and possibilities to be achieved of their endeavour. Other than a horizontal fold line the letter is in fine condition with a bold signature. See Picture.

 

090. Service, Robert W. [Canadian Author ] The Canadian Bank of Commerce. Incorporated 1867. Capital $10,000,000. Dawson, Y.T. Check Number 18834. Dawson City.: Canadian Bank of Commerce, 1909. Very good. Original Canadian Bank of Commerce cancelled check drawn on the Dawson, Y.T. Branch dated 1909. The check is payable to W.A. Murray obo in the amount of $15.00. It is signed by both the manager and Robert W. Service. An extremely nice item and a great piece of Service ephemera. Signed by R.W. Service. SOLD

Robert W. Service moved to Canada at the age of 21 from Glasgow where he had worked for a bank. After arriving in Canada the Canadian Bank of Commerce hired him to work at the bank's branch in Whitehorse in the Yukon Territories. It was in the Yukon that Service was inspired to write many of his famous poems including "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "Rhymes of a Red-Cross Man".

 

091. [Shackleton, Ernest H., Bernacchi, L.C. and Cherry-Garrard, Apsley]. The South Polar Times. London: Smith Elder & Co., 1907-1914. 1st Edition. Very good. Three volumes bound in the original vertical grained blue cloth. Volumes 1 and 2 are numbered 58 of 250 copies with volume three being 161 of 350 copies. The first two volumes have a mounted image of the Discovery in Winter Quarters on the front board. The third volume has a mounted image of the hut on the front board. Spine titles in gilt as well as on boards. Gilt rope work around illustration. All edges gilt. A minor touch of foxing on the limitation pages and very faint offsetting to the title leaves. Numerous plates and illustrations including mounted images, full page and in text. Illustrations are both colour and black and white. The coloured illustrations all appear to be chromolithographs. Volumes one and two are very slightly worn on the bottom edges with corners very slightly bumped. Spine titling is not quite as bright as on the front boards. Very faint mark on the bottom of the first two volumes which may have been a label that was removed. Volume three has a vertical crease one inch in from the spine edge on the front and rear board. Its as if the binder ran out of cloth and jointed it at this point. There is no evidence of the volume having been recased or repaired. Other than very minor faults the set presents extremely well and is very clean and bright. 19500.00

Rosove 287.A1 and 291.A1; Spence 1094; Taurus Collection 42 Included with the set is an early original single page prospectus. To quote from its as follows: 'During the Antarctic winter of 1902 and 1903, the officers of the National Antarctic Expedition on board the Discovery, among other diversions wherewith to lighten the load and dreary darkness, brought out at monthly intervals a periodical to which they gave the name of the" The South Polar Times" the contents of "The South Polar Times" range over a wide field, grave and gay, scientific and humorous, prose and poetry. It contains a diary of the events of each month, a record of the proceedings of the local Debating Society, a monthly acrostic, humorous notes, besides articles of a more solid nature, as WLL as stories sketches of various kinds, and poems of a standard considerably above average' One of the corner stones of an Antarctic collection. See Front Cover.

 

092. Smallwood, Joseph R. (editor) Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. Volume One. St. John's, Newfoundland: Newfoundland Book Publishers (1967) Limited, #0-920508-14-6, 1981. 1st edition. xxx,[4],914pp. Fine. Thick quarto. Illustrated with maps, photos and drawings (in text). Coloured endpaper maps. Original blue cloth with gilt lettering and crest on front cover and gilt lettering on spine. Tight and bright copy. Signed and inscribed by Joseph R. Smallwood. SOLD

Definitive edition on Newfoundland and Labrador history. Inscribed to Father John... With warm regards, Joseph R. Smallwood.

 

093. Smith, Michael. An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean - Antarctic Survivor. Wilton, Cork: Collins Press, #1-898256-90-X, 2000. 1st edition. (Hardcover) 344pp. Fine in fine dust jacket. Square Octavo. Illustrated with photos and facsimiles in text. Original dark blue cloth with silver lettering on spine in dust jacket. Scarce true first edition. 250.00

The true first edition which wasn't available in England until several years later. A biography of Thomas Crean who served with both Scott and Shackleton on three Antarctic expeditions. He was with Scott on both the Discovery Expedition as an able seaman and as petty officer on the Terra Nova Expedition playing a major part on the supporting party to the pole, one of the last to see Scott alive. He would later join Shackleton on the Endurance as second officer on the British Imperial Transantarctic Expedition. He would accompany Shackleton on the James Caird to South Georgia in the search for relief for the men on Elephant Island and with Worsley and Shackleton make the arduous crossing of the mountains to the Norwegian whaling station for help.

 

094. Steele, Harwood. Policing the Arctic. The Story of the Conquest of the Arctic by the Royal Canadian (Formerly North-West) Mounted Police. London: Jarrolds Publishers, 1936. 1st British Edition. 390, + 64pp. ads. Very good. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from photos. Original black cloth with gilt lettering on spine. A bright tight and clean copy. This would appear to have been the authors own copy as indicated on the title page. Signed by Harwood Steele. SOLD

Arctic Bibl. 16725 -"Account, based on official records and personal knowledge, of Dominion police work in the Yukon from the time of the Klondike gold rush; police patrols, rescue work, manhunts, etc.

 

095. U.S. Congress. Senate Committee on Military Affairs. Compilation of Narratives of Exploration in Alaska April 18, 1900 Reported from the Committee on Military Affairs by Mr. Carter and Ordered to Be Printed. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1900. 1st Edition. 1p.l.,vii,3-856pp. Very good, no dust jacket. Thick quarto. Illustrated with 33 plates and 27 folding maps. Original green cloth with blind stamped design on front and back cover and gilt lettering on spine. A clean, tight copy far superior to most copies.

750.00

A.B. 18336 - "A collection of the principal narratives of US military exploring expeditions in Alaska from 1869 to 1899, assembled to facilitate a review of territory covered..." Includes reports by Abercrombie, Allen, Petroff, Schwatka, Richardson, and Ray. The definitive compilation.

 

096. Vincent, Mrs. L. Brooks. Yukon Broadside. Earth Study. Supplementary to Modern Education of Books. An Exhibition of 2,000 Colored Stereopticon Views Made by Mrs. L. Brooks Vincent During Four Years of Travel and Research on the Pacific Coast, Aleutian Islands, Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Earth Study Is Given Complete in Six Evenings and Consists of: A Study of Mountains; A Study of Glaciers; A Study of Forests; A Study of Flowers; A Study of Rivers; A Study of Resorts; Coast Defense; Commerce of Puget Sound; A Study of Animals; Gold; The Klondyke; A Study of Fossils; A Study of Arctic Wonders; The Aurora Borealis; And a Study of Indians. Earth Study Is Presented As a New Educational Work. A Clear, Rapid, Presentation of Truth to Impress the Young in Lasting Memories, and to Become a Correct Basis of Judgment and an Incentive to Future Independent Research. An Aid to Teachers and of Interest to All Who Seek Culture and Advancement. Self Published, [circa 1902]. [1]. Very good. Folio, approximately 6"x14". Illustrated with a portrait photo of Mrs. L. Brooks Vincent. Original Broadside. Rare. Old fold lines but overall a very nice copy. SOLD

With over 2000 images this must have been a spectacular show covering all aspects of natural history etc.

 

097. Wenyon M.D., Charles. Across Siberia on the Great Post-Road. London: Charles H. Kelly, 1896. 1st edition. xii,240 + [4] ads. Very good. 12mo. Illustrated with plates from engravings, folding map showing route in red, drawings in text, and photo portrait frontispiece. Yellow coated endpapers. Original green and tan decorative cloth with gilt lettering on front cover and spine. Covers slightly bowed else a bright, clean copy of an uncommon book.

See Picture 175.00

 
 

098. [White Pass & Yukon Route]. Alaska and the Scenic Yukon Country. Seattle, Wash.: White Pass & Yukon Route, [no date]. 1st printing. 30 pp. Near fine. Octavo. Illustrated with tinted photos in text. Original grey and blue printed wrappers with folding leaves. Mountain scene on front cover and forest scene on back Some of the Alaska and Yukon routes mentioned include: Skagway, Summit of white pass, St. Michael and Nome. Numerous photographs including the hanging Rocks at Clifton, Pitchfork Falls, Lake Bennett, Miles Canyon near White horse and Scenes on the Way to Atlin. Scarce. SOLD

Tourville, 4831. Brochure deals with the White Pass and Yukon Route.

 

099. [White Pass and Alaska]. The Alaskan Tourist. Skagway, Alaska: Edw. H. Mitchell, for Case & Draper, [no date]. 1st Edition. unpaginated. Very good. Oblong 12mo (22 X 15 cm). Illustrated with 16 tinted plates from photos including scenes of Skagway, Summit of White Pass, Lawton Glacier and Totem Poles at Sitka. Original black wrappers with white lettering on front cover and brown tie strings on spine. Minor chips to front edge of covers. A very good copy with clean and bright photos.

Not in Tourville 250.00

 

100. Worsley, F. A. Under Sails in the Frozen North. Philadelphia, David McKay Co. 1927. 1st edition. [2] 299pp. Fine. Octavo. Illustrated with plates from B/W and blue tinted photos., including frontis., and large folding map at rear. Original blue cloth with gilt decoration of a ship on front cover,and gilt lettering on spine. Tight clean and bright copy. Preface by Grettir Algarsson. 100.00

Updated June 24, 2008