Voyage of the Jeannette

The Ship and Ice Journals of George W. DeLong, Lieutenant-Commander U.S.N., and Commander of the Polar Expedition of 1879-1881

Edited by Emma DeLong — Signed by Julius DeLong

Boston: Houghton, Miffin & Co., 1st US Edition, 1883. Thick sm4to, Vol. I: (xii) 440pp., engraved portrait of George W DeLong as frontis with tissue guard, 7 engravings, 26 vignette illustrations, 8 maps and charts including foldouts. Vol. II: (x), 470pp (page numbering continuous between volumes and totally 911pp.), Index, frontis colour litho entitled Cairn Tomb, Monument Hill, Lena Delta with tissue guard, 7 engravings, 15 vignette illustrations, 15 maps, charts and diagrams including fold-outs, Lena Delta map is split and in three parts although without loss so it can be repaired. Overall in complete and good+ condition — water marking along outer edge of some pages, no foxing, folds or tears, no prior ownership markings, hinges strong.

This is an unusual two volume set of the First US Edition in that it is bound in publisher’s full leather with decorative ruling on front boards and bright gilt spine labels with bright gilt page edges all around, marbled endspapers, four raised bands on decorative and ruled spine with gilt lettering. A distinct possibility exists these were special editions done before the first trade edition was released. The front free endspapers of each volume bears an inscription reading: ‘Compliments of Julius DeLong’ — Julius Delong was George W. Delong’s cousin.

DeLong sailed from San Francisco in July 1879 with the intention of sailing through the Bering Strait and then enter the Pole byway of the New Siberian Islands and Wrangel Island. The last sighting of the Jeannette was at Wrangel Island during the first two years of the voyage. In the space of those two years the crew struggled against the ice and extremely harsh conditions, but was unable to save the ship which was ultimately crushed by the floes. The crew escaped, but several perished in a storm, and several of those who reached land died from starvation and extreme conditions. This extensive account of the tragic Voyage of the Jeannette was edited by DeLong’s widow, Emma DeLong.