Arctic Explorations; The Second Grinnell Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin | 1853, '54, '55 - 1856

Philadelphia: Childs & Peterson, et al., 1856. First Edition. Very Good. in 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; Dark brown cloth covers with blind stamped embossed ship in ice and border designs on front, gilt lettering on spine, dark brown coated end papers, all edges trimmed; Some shelf wear to both volumes to edges, all corners bumped and cloth worn through, chipping at top and bottom of spine, some rubbing to covers and boards bowed, minor foxing thought out, period prior owner ink name on front free end paper, Vol. I has 1" split in rear top gutter, Vol. II rear hinge starting to crack, fold out map edges tanned and chipped from mis fold. [Arctic Biblio 8373, Howgego III K3, Hill 904]. 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.