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First Edition. Demy 4to (280 mm); [xxxx], 252, [2], cxliv, [2] pp. Illustrations complete as called for, thus 15 colour plates (four of which are folding), 10 engraved plates (three of which are folding), three folding maps (including the frontispiece), and three folding tables. Bound in contemporary dark brown half calf over green marbled boards, sides and edges very scuffed; spine divided into compartments with decorations in blind and title lettered in gilt. Joints tender but holding fast with four of the five ties intact, head and tail of the spine rubbed. Contents toned in places with some scattered spots of foxing, one short split along the fold of one of the foldout maps, one plate somewhat stained. The three Appendix sections at the end cover a plethora of detailed information including "The Variation of the Compass and Deviation of the Magnetic Needle", a list experiments and observations carried out aboard the Isabella, long lists of mammals and invertebrate animals encountered on the voyage, and a catalogue of the specimens of rocks and minerals found on an iceberg. Tipped in on the front pastedown is two sheets of contemporary manuscript concerning "Whale Fishing". It is undated but would appear to be contemporaneous. Beneath the second smaller sheet is inscribed in neat ink hand "P.H. Wood, 1819". A solid and authentic copy. One of the pioneering voyages of high Arctic discovery. Led by Sir John Ross, the officers included future Arctic greats William Parry, James Clark Ross, and Edward Sabine. Ross sailed up Davis Strait and westward into Lancaster Sound, seeking a northwest passage. A mirage deceived him into believing the end of the Sound was blocked by a high range of mountains, despite the disbelief of his colleagues. The expedition returned to England in 1818 with much fanfare and Ross was promoted, but the false conclusions were widely challenged when this account was published, involving Ross in lifelong controversy. Aside from its incorrect geographical conclusions, however, the expedition bore important fruits in encouraging Arctic exploration, training future leaders, and compiling accurate geographical and ethnological data. This copy is particularly notable for the beautiful extensive contemporary coloring of the plates. One of the most remarkable plates in the book shows the encounter of Ross and his officers- decked out in full Royal Navy dress uniform, encountering the Eskimos in Lancaster Sound. The image was created by John Stackhouse, who was serving as the native interpreter for the expedition. Seller Inventory # 14635
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