The three voyages of Martin Frobisher in search of a passage to Cathay and India by the north-west, A.D. 1576-8.

London: The Argonaut Press, 1938. #86 of an edition limited to 475 copies.. 27 cm; 2 volumes. Color printed device on title pages, color folding map frontispieces in both volumes. Numerous color illustrations, facsimiles, and maps. Bound in 1/4 vellum over brick-red cloth, with Frobisher crest stamped in colors on upper board of both volumes. Deckled edges. Rare original slipcase present. Cloth bubbling a bit where it meets the vellum spines, as usual in this edition. Tiny abrasion on upper board of volume 1, else unblemished and about fine!

Martin Frobisher (d.1594) was an English seaman and privateer who made three voyages to the New World in search of a Northwest Passage. All landed in northeastern Canada, around the southern tip of Baffin Island. Frobisher there began mining what he thought was gold, what was proved to be gold upon assaying in London, but that later turned out to be only iron pyrite, thrown down onto roads as paving. It was not the end, however, as Frobisher distinguished himself in battle against the Spanish Armada.