Narrative of the Arctic Land Expedition to the Mouth of the Great Fish River, and Along the Shores of the Arctic Ocean, in the Years 1833, 1834, and 1835

London: John Murray, 1836. First edition. Leather. Fine. 9" by 6". Capt Back. An exquisite first edition, first impression copy of Captain George Back's seminal Arctic travel work. Complete, with all plates. Rebound in a very smart quarter morocco binding. This work is one of the finest nineteenth century travel books on the Arctic. It follows the 1832 expedition which was launched to search for the supposedly lost Ross expedition. Upon the return of Ross, Back pursued the expeditions secondary objective of navigating the length of the river known as Thlueetessy to the indigenous people. Back is credited with discovering the river and named it 'The Great Fish River' which has since become known as the 'Back River'. He travelled the full 440 miles of this river and his journey was 7,500 miles total. This work describes Back's voyage via Montreal to north central Canada, along the Slave River Lake and down the Great Fish River to the Arctic coast It is for this expedition that Back is best known. Prior to this he had served under Franklin and his Arctic expeditions. The Dictionary of Canadian Biography notes Back as being 'One of the first competent artists to penetrate into the Canadian Arctic'. Illustrated, with sixteen plates and one folding map, as called for. The illustrations are after drawings by Back himself. To this travelogue Back recounts his encounters with indigenous people, their culture, zoological remarks, commerce with the Cree, Chippewa and Coppermine people, and reflections on the flora and fauna. There are detailed descriptions on hunting in the frozen tundra and of the aurora borealis. The first trade edition of this work, being the first impression with Murray's address being Albemarle Street. The dedication leaf to this copy remains uncut. A lovely copy of this rare arctic narrative which has been referred to by Hill as being 'one of the fundamental books on Arctic exploration'. In a quarter morocco binding with cloth covered boards. Externally, in an excellent condition with minor shelfwear. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright with just the odd spots. The folding map has a small tape repair to the margin, not affecting the image. Fine