JOURNAL D'UN VOYAGE AUX MERS POLAIRES EXÉCUTÉ A LA RECHERCHE DE SIR JOHN FRANKLIN, EN 1851 ET 1852..
1854 · Pari
by Bellot, Joseph Ren
Pari, 1854. lvi,414,[1]pp. plus frontispiece and folding map with facsimile letter. Half title. Contemporary three-quarter calf and marbled paper, expertly rebacked preserving original gilt spine, leather label. Later bookplate on front pastedown, contemporary gift inscription on half title. Scattered foxing. Very good. First edition of the journal of Joseph Bellot (1826-53), published posthumously, detailing his time with an expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, serving as second-in-command under Captain William Kennedy on the Prince Albert. Bellot is one of the great heroes of Arctic exploration. The expedition, which extended through 1851 and 1852, included a substantial overland sledging journey. Although they failed to find Franklin's lost ships, they did make significant discoveries in the Canadian Arctic, returning to England with the entirety of the crew safely intact. Bellot was not so lucky on the next expedition he served on in search of Franklin the following year - he fell through the ice while crossing Wellington Channel and disappeared from sight. His crew mates erected a memorial grave on Beechey Island, next to three graves from the lost Franklin Expedition. ARCTIC BIBLIOGRAPHY 1304. LANDE S169. TPL 3232. SABIN 4569. (Inventory #: WRCAM50739)