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NARES, Captain Sir George (1831-1915). Narrative of a Voyage to the Polar Sea During 1875-6 in H.M. Ships “Alert" and “Discovery". London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1878. Complete in two 8vo volumes. Illustrated with two fold-out maps, 6 original mounted Woodbury photographic prints, seven plates (one colored), 38 text illustrations. [xi], 395; [vii], 378 pp. Index, 19 appendices, and 32pp. of publisher's advertisements. Publisher's dark green cloth with black ruling on front covers and spines, bright gilt and black lettering on spine, original dark brown end leaves (wear, soiling, bumping to board extremities and internal gutters repaired, both volumes skewed.) Very good. FIRST EDITION OF A SCARE AND COMPLETE SET OF AN IMPORTANT ARCTIC NARRATIVE. Both volumes with previous owner's gift inscription on half-titles to Colonel H. B. Roberts. A significant work in the discovery of Greenland's Northwest coast. Nares was the commander of the British Arctic Expedition sent out for the attainment of the North Pole in 1975. On extensive sledge journeys, the record northern latitude of 83°20'26'' N was reached. The work contains excellent early images of the Arctic in six Woodbury photographic plates Captain Nares' account of the British Arctic Expedition of 1875-6. The primary objective of the expedition was to attain "the highest northern latitude, and, if possible, to reach the North Pole, and from winter quarters to explore the adjacent coasts within the reach of traveling parties." The expedition was the first to sail ships through the channel between Greenland and Ellesmere Island and as far north as the Lincoln Sea. A sledging party under Captain Albert Hastings Markham set a record on land, reaching as far north as 83º 20'. In addition to reporting on these high latitude achievements, Nares describes "ice, weather, and living conditions, health and activities of men; scurvy; sledge trips to northeastern Ellesmere and northwestern Greenland (in detail), wildlife, ice, coastal features, vegetation, etc. The illustrations, including six handsome Woodbury print photographs, were made by members of the expedition and the narrative includes extensive extracts from the diaries of Nares and the leaders of the different sledge parties." Arctic Bibliography 12026