Arctic Explorations: The Second Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin, 1853,'54,'55

Philadelphia: Childs & Peterson, 1856 2 volumes. First edition. Pp. 467 + 467 plus extra steel-engraved titles. 2 steel-engraved frontis portraits, 18 steel engraved plates, and hundreds of engraved text illustrations, 3 maps (1 large folding). Lacking one chart. Newer gray cloth, gilt. A fine and clean set. This copy lacking the chart showing the Isothermal Lines of Baffin Bay, but complete with the primary map showing the discoveries of the expedition. The plates are bright and clean. Kane was the commander of the Advance on this expedition, financed by Henry Grinnell. Although Franklin was not found, the explorers were able to gather much information about the people, geography, and the natural history of the region. The expedition passed up Smith Sound at the head of Baffin Bay, and advanced into the enclosed sea which now bears the name of Kane Basin, thus establishing the Polar route of many future Arctic expeditions. Here the expedition passed two winters, and attained what was to remain for sixteen years the highest northern latitude reached by explorers. The Advance, frozen in, was abandoned May 20, 1855. With the loss of one man, the party, carrying invalids, reached Upernivik, in eighty-three days. [Hill II: 904; Ricks: p134]..