This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/18/2025
PHIPPS, Constantine John (1744-1792). A Voyage Towards the North Pole Undertaken by His Majesty's Command 1773. London: Printed by W. Bowyer and J. Nichols, for J. Nourse, 1774. 4to. Illustrated with 15 folding maps and plates, and with 11 fold-out letterpress tables (tables reckoned within pagination). viii, 1-253 pp. Half-title present. Approximately 11 ¼ x 9". Bound in near contemporary half brown calf over marbled boards, spine ruled and tooled in gilt in compartments, five raised bands, brown and green gilt morocco lettering labels (spine sunned, joints cracking, binding somewhat worn and toned, lower corners a bit bumped, hinges just starting, some offsetting, foxing to endleaves, text and plates a bit toned with occasional foxing, blanks a bit wrinkled). Very good. FIRST EDITION OF THE OFFICIAL ACCOUNT. "...the valuable appendix gives geographical and meteorological observations, zoological and botanical records, accounts of the distillation of fresh water from the sea, and astronomical observations… the voyage is perhaps best remembered for the presence of young Horatio Nelson [then fourteen years old], as midshipman aboard the Carcass, and his encounter with a polar bear." (Hill). Hill 1351. Sabin 62572.