This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2025
PALMER, J. C., U. S. N. Thulia. A Tale of the Antarctic. New York: Samuel Colman, 1843. 8vo. Illustrated with frontispiece and several intertextual engravings. Half-title, 72 pp. Appendix. Publisher's full brown cloth with debossed decorations on front and rear covers, bright gilt image of the U. S. Schooner “Flying Fish" on front cover and gilt title on spine (spine sunned, some wear, soiling to boards, a few short tears to spine edges, ffep. missing, attractive prior owner signature inside front cover and inscription on front free endleaf, moderate foxing throughout. Very good. THE SCARCE FIRST TRADE EDITION. This interesting and engaging work was derived from the United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-42, and it contains the earliest published Antarctic poetry, a literature form that did not appear again in a freestanding publication until the South Polar Times in 1907. With several illustrations and sheet music, original tissue guards over engraved plates, music sheet and frontispiece. An interesting collection of poems, inspired by Palmer's adventures in the Antarctic as a member of the United States Exploring Expedition. Palmer was attached to the Wilkes expedition as acting surgeon and unofficial assistant naturalist, and spent much of his time aboard the schooners, “Flying Fish" and “Peacock". Rosove 246 A2.b.