Maritime

Second Expedition in Search of Franklin. Arctic Explorations in the Years 1853,’54,’55. – Elisha Kent Kane. 2 Volume First Editions 1856

First edition of Elisha Kane’s account of the second Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin’s expedition lost in the Arctic.

Published by Childs & Peterson, Philadelphia in 1856. Two fine volumes, 464 pages and 467 pages after preliminaries, engraved frontispiece to both and 18 other engraved plates, 2 maps one of which is folding, folding isothermal chart and numerous woodcuts in the text. Bound very nicely in half calf over marble papered boards, marbled endpapers, raised bands to spine gilt titling and embellishments. Carries the bookplate of bibliophile EH Hildreth of Massachusetts. Super copies.

Elisha Kent Kane (1820-1857) naval surgeon and in command on this second expedition. Ice-locked for two winters, lacking adequate supplies and with a crew inflicted with scurvy … snow blindness and madness. He pressed on and went further north than ever before, setting a standard for Arctic exploration. He wisely sought friendly relations with Eskimo along the way.

Fundamental Arctic Exploration – Kane in search of Sir John Franklin

$490.00

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Voyage Through the Antarctic – Richard Adams and Ronald Lockley

A first edition published by Allen Lane, London in 1982.

Richard Adams, author of Watership Down struck up a friendship with Ronald Lockley author of The Private Life of the Rabbit whilst researching for Watership. This friendship led to making a full Antarctic voyage on the Linblad Explorer from Tierra del Fuego to Stewart Island of South Island New Zealand.

As would be expected an observant and well written narrative with a super selection of photograph’s taken on the voyage by Peter Hirst-Smith … well he did take three thousand from which to make the selection.

Small quarto, 160 pages, numerous illustrations from photographs, nice chart etc …a very good copy.

Adams and Lockley in the Antarctic and not a rabbit in sight.

$40.00

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The Long Way – Bernard Moitessier – First English Edition 1974

First English edition published by Adlard Coles in 1974, after the French edition of 1971. Translated by William Radamor.

Octavo, 252 pages, illustrated from photographs, sketches of riggings etc, numerous charts of tracks. Super condition very good dust jacket.

Sought after account of the enigmatic Moitessier … has anyone sailed further ..we do not think so ..

Moitessier’s story all began as a participant in the single-handed round the world yacht race, the Golden Globe race, of 1968. Almost done and technically in the lead, whilst in the South Atlantic for a second time, instead of returning to Plymouth he sailed on along his original course returning to the Pacific. He then made his way to Tahiti .. Little was known as to his motivation until this book …

Bernard Moitessier – A special man and a special sailing adventure unlikely to be repeated.

$90.00

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In Search of Franklin – The Journal of Rochfort Maguire 1852-1854 … Two Years at Point Barrow, Alaska, aboard HMS Plover in the Search of Sir John Franklin – Edited by John Bockstoce

Sir John Franklin’s expedition left England in 1845 in search of the northwest passage. Three years later HMS Plover was the first to mount what would be many expeditions in search of the lost crew of the Erebus and Terror.

A Hakluyt Society publication in two octavo volumes published in 1988. 584 pages in total heavily illustrated and in fine as if new condition. There is a super large scale folding map on the Western Esquimaux by Simpson which we have difficulty scanning nicely because of its size.

Of further interest is that this expedition approached from the west whereas analysis of the search for Franklin has tended to focus on eastern approaches. The heart of this book is based on the journals of Captain Rochfort Maguire and it represents the earliest account of sustained contact with the Eskimos of northern Alaska. A detailed introduction regarding the history, strategy and logistics of the search and the conclusion supplemented by other accounts of Dr John Simpson who participated in a five boat expedition from Point Barrow.

Search for Franklin – First from the West

$65.00

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The Narrative of Captain David Woodward [Adventures and Suffering in the Celebes] -1805

An extremely scarce account, we can only find one other copy available.

The lengthy full title explains … The Narrative of Captain David Woodward and Four Seamen Who Lost their Ship while in a Boat at Sea and Surrendered Themselves up to the Malays in the Island of Celebes … containing an Interesting Account of their Sufferings from Hunger and Various Hardships, and their Escape from the Malays. After a Captivity of Two Year and a Half: Also, an Account of the Manners and Customs of That Country, and a Description of the Harbours & Coasts etc. Together with An Introduction and an Appendix containing Narratives of Various Escapes from Shipwrecks, under Great Hardships and Abstinence; holding out a Valuable Seaman’s Guide. And the Importance of Union, Confidence and Perseverance in the Midst of Distress.

Printed by Johnson, St Paul’s Church-Yard a second edition 1805 and despite this truly scarce. Octavo, 236 pages, rough cut edges as issued. Contemporary half calf with marbled paper covered boards showing some wear.

Frontispiece a profile of Woodward, folding chart of the Island of Celebes, larger folding chart of the Western Part of the Island (Celebes) visited by Captain Woodward and a two page plate of Proas, Canoes and Implements of War of the Malays.

The first 143 pages comprises Woodward’s narrative the events of which commenced in March 1791. Woodward had departed on an American Ship from Batavia to Manilla. There was a scarcity of provisions and Woodward along with five sailors (one died soon in the events if you are curious about the title) set off on a quest to find supplies. They got separated from their ship and after many adventures and near death with thirst and starvation surrendered themselves to the Malay of the Celebes. They were treated as slaves and suffered many hardships. Eventually they begin to find help and after a failed attempt to escape finally make it to safety at Macassar. From there they are engaged on an American ship, Woodward as Chief-mate and sail for Calcutta. There Woodward meets Captain Hubbard with whom he sails to Mauritius and there Woodward is given Command of the Ship. From there to Bourbon, round the Cape of Good Hope to St Helena for repairs. Then to Ascension and on to England.

Woodward follows this adventure with a description of the Celebes its climate and natural history, religion and manners and a brief vocabulary of the Malay language.

The other misadventures described include … Captain Inglefield’s Narrative; William Boys’s Narrative of the Luxembourgh Galley; Lieutenant Bligh’s Narrative; Loss of the Lady Hobart Packet; Loss of the Pandora Frigate and several more.

Appendices include several useful articles including …. Case of Thomas Travis – seven days in a Pit; Experiment of a Physician; Remarkable Case of the Effects of Long Abstinence, List of a Number of Accidents, Shipwrecks, Escapes etc.

Captain Woodward’s incredible hardship is the Celebes among the Malay’s

$1,290.00

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An Arctic Voyage to Baffin’s Bay and Lancaster Sound in Search of Friends with Sir John Franklin – Robert Anstruther Goodsir (Late President of the Royal Medical Society).

A fine facsimile of the pricey 1850 original by Voorst, London. This edition published by The Arctic Press, Plaistow & Sutton Coldfield, England in 1996.

Octavo, viii, 152 pages in original blue cloth covered binding, black end paper, frontispiece and folding map showing the route taken. Limited edition this individually numbered 350 of 500.

The author a distinguished medic undertook an eight month voyage aboard the “Advice” under whaling Captain Penny in search of the missing Franklin expedition in 1849. The author’s brother, Harry Goodsir, was surgeon with Franklin. The journal gives a good description of Baffin’s Bay and Lancaster Sound as well as interactions with Eskimo, ice conditions, bird life, polar bears and whaling etc. The author also joined the second Penny expedition to attempt to find Franklin aboard the “Lady Franklin”

Goodsir in the Arctic looking for Franklin and his brother

$120.00

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Second Expedition in Search of Franklin. Arctic Explorations in the Years 1853,’54,’55. – Elisha Kent Kane. 2 Volume First Editions 1856

Voyage Through the Antarctic – Richard Adams and Ronald Lockley

The Long Way – Bernard Moitessier – First English Edition 1974

In Search of Franklin – The Journal of Rochfort Maguire 1852-1854 … Two Years at Point Barrow, Alaska, aboard HMS Plover in the Search of Sir John Franklin – Edited by John Bockstoce

The Narrative of Captain David Woodward [Adventures and Suffering in the Celebes] -1805

An Arctic Voyage to Baffin’s Bay and Lancaster Sound in Search of Friends with Sir John Franklin – Robert Anstruther Goodsir (Late President of the Royal Medical Society).

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