Arctic Explorations; The Second Grinnell Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin | 1853, '54, '55

Philadelphia: Childs & Peterson, et al., 1857. Second Edition. Very Good. two volumes 8vo [9x6.25in]; Vol. I - 464 pp., frontispiece of Kane, large fold out map, numerous illustrations in text and 12 plates with tissue guard; Vol. II - 467 pp., frontispiece of Grinnell, fold out map, 7 plates with tissue guard; Half bound dark brown calf with marbled paper covers, ribbed spine with gilt lettering on black label and gile designs, marbled end papers, all edges marbled ink stain and trimmed; For both volumes - some shelf wear to edges, all corners bumped and worn, some rubbing to covers, minor foxing and stains thought out and to plates Vol. I - closed tears at hinge to fold out map, Vol. II rear hinge starting to crack, repaired closed tear at hinge, edges tanned and chipped from misfold of fold out map, pencil inscription to prior owner on Vol II front end paper. [Arctic Biblio 8373 (1856 Edition), Howgego III K3, Hill 905]. Elisha Kane (1820-57) was a Navy Medical Officer and polar explorer. He participated in the first American Grinnell Arctic Expedition (1850-51), as the medical officer, to search for the lost British Franklin expedition (1845-47) and discovered some evidence of Franklin's fate. Kane was chosen to lead the second Grinnell Arctic Expedition (1853-55) (financed again by Henry Grinnell, an American merchant and philanthropist) with the ship Advance. He explored land in off the northwestern coast of Greenland named Grinnell Land. This expedition set records for unexplored coastline to the farthest north of 82 when the ship was beset in the ice and abandoned. The trek to safety, with the lost of few men, was a stirring story of leadership and survival in the Arctic.

This Arctic exploration period of the 1840's to 1850's was the similar to the space exploration a little over 100 years later. The explorers became well known with newspaper accounts, books and lectures. The scientific information brought back was substantial in understanding the Arctic and the world climate. This data is still being used for current climate change studies and projections.