FRANKLIN (John). NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES OF THE - Lot 166

FRANKLIN (John). NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES OF THE POLAR SEA in the years 1819, 20, 21, and 22. London, John Murray, 1823. Fort in-4° of 15-1bl.-783 [1] pages, mottled blond calf, lace framing the boards, wide inner lace, ornate ribbed spine, yellow edges (later binding). First edition of one of the most chilling voyages ever transcribed, in which many members of the group died of cold, starvation, murder or cannibalism. This famous voyage of some 8800 kilometers was made up to the Coppermine River, largely by land and canoe, and was intended to map the Arctic coast. The illustration consists of 4 maps, 1 of which is in color, and 31 SPLENDID ENGRAVINGS, 11 OF WHICH ARE IN COLOR (landscapes, natives, zoology, botany). From the library of Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby, member of the Order of the Garter, armorial bookplate with the motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense". Binding restored, transfer of plates on qq. pages, otherwise a fine copy, internally very fresh (Chadenat, 7007).