Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea

— A Rare Two Volume Set

By Sir John Franklin

Volume I:Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819, 20, 21, and 22. With an Appendix on Various Subjects Relating to Science and Natural History. — By Sir John Franklin

London, John Murray, 1823. First Edition, First Printing. [iii-xvi],768pp., 30 plates (eleven in color) and four folding maps. Quarto. Mid-19th-century full calf with gilt spine titles and ruling and interior marbled boards with matching facing end page, marbled pages edges all around. Scattered foxing, occasional offsetting. All hinges professionally reinforced. Text and maps are clean and bright. Overall a very good+ attractive copy with all original tissue guards on place. With the errata slip not found with all copies (xvi p.). The plates in this copy are bound as detailed on the list of illustrations, entirely in the text, with no plate as a frontispiece. — Sabin.—Hill 635; Sabin 25634; Arctic Bibliography 5194. A Rare set.

With:

Volume II:Narrative Of A Second Expedition To The Shores Of The Polar Sea, In The Years 1825, 1826, And 1827…Including An Account Of The Progress Of A Detachment To The Eastward By John Richardson… —By Sir John Franklin.

London: John Murray,1828. First Edition, First Printing. 4to. pp. xxiv, [xxi]-xxiv, 320, clvii, [1], [1 leaf], errata. 31 plates, engraved by Edward Finden after drawings by George Back & E.N. Kendall. 6 folding engraved maps (l partly coloured in outline). several text illustrations. Matching full leather period binding to Volume I. Intermittent light foxing to plates, heavier foxing to maps, plates with offsetting).—Arctic Bibliography 5198; Graff 1407; Lande 1182. National Maritime Museum I 843; Peel 163; Sabin 25628 (7 maps).

Provenance:

Both volumes bearing the bookplate and signature of Sir Gaspard Le Mechant.John Le Marchant was a highly decorated British Army Infantry General and later served as the Governor of Newfoundland from 1847 to1852.

Volume I of the set bears an inscription to Sir Le Marchant and appears to state: HRS Philip Prince Albert sent to Sir Le Merchant today from Naples. A v.(very) nice souvenir & Brace of Pheasants. Palace of Malta 1863 — I have been unable to determine signature. Scans available upon request.