RICHARDSON, John (1787-1865). Arctic Searching Expedition: A Journal of a Boat-Voyage through Rupert’s Land and the Arctic Sea, in Search of the Discovery Ships under the Command of Sir John Franklin. London: Longman, Green, Brown, 1851.
2 volumes, 8vo (222 x 140 mm). Color lithographed frontispieces in each volume, partially colored folding map (old tape repairs on verso at folds), 10 color lithographed plates (some occasional browning at margins). (Occasional spotting, marginal tear with loss on pp. 285-88). Modern faux leather, gilt-stamped spines, partially unopened. Provenance: Ann Savours Shirley (1927-2022), ownership inscription. Shirley was a British historian and collector of polar exploration, more notably the head curator at the Scott Polar Institute at Cambridge University and editor of numerous scholarly works on Robert Falcon Scott.
FIRST EDITION. After Franklin’s disappearance, Richardson, a seasoned explorer of the region who had accompanied Franklin on two previous expeditions, considered it his duty to search for his friend. He and John Rae accompanied the party down the Mackenzie and along the Arctic coast to the Coppermine River and Fort Confidence. After crossing the Barren Lands to Great Bear Lake, where they wintered, Richardson realized the mission was too taxing; he returned to England and left the younger men to carry on. Richardson also shares observations about the flora and fauna of the region, including an appendix with a detailed listing of Canadian and Arctic plants. Arctic Bib. 14489; Field 1300; Graff 3493; Sabin 71025; Stafleu & Cowan TL2 9170; Streeter VI:3716; Wagner-Camp 203:1.