ROSS (John). A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY MADE UNDER THE ORDERS OF - Lot 206

ROSS (John). A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY MADE UNDER THE ORDERS OF THE ADMIRALTY, IN HIS MAJESTY SHIPS ISABELLA AND ALEXANDE for the purpose of exploring Baffin's bay and inquiring into the probability of a North-West passage. London, John Murray, 1819. in-4° of [4]-39 [1]-252- [1]-1bl.-144 pages, blued calf, gilt fillet on boards, smooth spine decorated with gilt sailboats. pages, blond calf, gilt fillet on covers, smooth spine decorated with gilt sailboats. Rare first edition illustrated with 32 REMARKABLE PLANS AND MAPS, 15 of which in aquatints. Most are engraved by Havell after drawings by Ross or other members of the crew, and depict many striking Arctic landscapes and icebergs, polar bears, sled dogs... Although the voyage provided many important geographical and anthropological insights, a mirage led Ross to describe a non-existent mountain range in Lancaster Sound, which caused controversy when his work was published. Armorial bookplate Robert Parker. Scattered foxing, spine entirely rebound (Chadenat, 686).