Narrative Of A Second Voyage In Search Of A North-West Passage, And Of A Residence In The Arctic Regions During The Years 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833...

4to. pp. 4 p.l. (inc. errata leaf], xxxiii, [1]list of plates, 740[ie.742]. without tipped-in binder's slip. large folding engraved map with partial colour, 5 charts & plans (1 folding) & 25 plates (incl. 6 hand-coloured lithographs,, 3 hand-coloured mezzotints & 16 steel engravings). large copy, with 9 rather than 3 of the 25 plates in colour. contemporary diced calf, rebacked (rubbed, corners worn, some scattered marginal foxing).

First Edition. Owing to his mistaken contention after his first voyage in 1818, that Lancaster Sound was landlocked, Ross was not offered command of another Arctic expedition until 1829. Although this expedition failed in its primary objective, it resulted in the discovery of King William Island and the extensive survey of Boothia Peninsula, as well as the discovery of the magnetic pole by Ross' nephew James Clark Ross. A large collection of minerals was gathered and the dietary importance of fresh meat and oil in the arctic climate was ascertained. All but three men managed to survive four arctic winters and the loss of their ship. Upon their return to England, Ross was knighted and awarded gold medals by the Geographical Societies of London and Paris.

Abbey, Travel, 636. Arctic Bib. 14866. Hill p. 261. Lande 1426. Sabin 73381. Smith 8792. TPL 1808.