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The South Pole -- An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the Fram 1910 -1912

The South Pole — An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the Fram 1910 -1912

Roald Amundsen Signed by Roald Amundsen and inscribed to President Gannett (National Geographic Society). New York: Lee Keedick, 1913, First Edition, Two Volumes in Very Good + condition and near fine and complete on the interior. Volume I: [xxxv] 392pp. thick large 8vo 23.3cm. with untrimmed pages and gilt top page edges, publisher s blue blind ruled cloth with very gilt titles on spine and cover. Frontispiece of Roald Amundsen with original tissue guard, Introduction by Fridtjof Nansen, 82 black-and-white photographic images, full-page map and color fold-out map attached at rear. Cloth in good shape with bright gilt on cover, some darkening to spine, subtle darker areas on front cover, Interior very clean and complete with the folded plan of the Fram . Volume II: [x] 449pp. thick large 8vo 23.3cm with untrimmed pages and gilt top page edges, publisher s blue blind ruled cloth with gilt titles on spine and cover. Frontispiece of Roald Amundsen with original tissue guard. Appendix I, II, III, IV, & V; Index; 52 black-and-white mostly full-page photographic illustrations, 20 maps and charts including fold-out at rear. Cloth in good shape with bright gilt on cover, some darkening to spine, Interior very clean and complete In Very good plus condition and complete. This volume signed and inscribed on the front-free end-leaf President Gannett from Roald Amundsen, Washington 11th Jan. 1913 . Spence 18, Renard 20, Conrad p. 113, Rosove 9.B2.a Washington D.C. was most likely Amundsen s first US stop to begin his lecture and signing tour in the United States. Most copies are signed in February 1913, so this may very well be among the first copies signed in the USA after Amundsen s successful expedition in conquest of the South Pole. This important association copy is signed and inscribed to Henry Gannett, President and founding member of the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC during Amundsen s first visit to the United States after returning from his conquest of the South Pole in 1912. Henry Gannett (August 24, 1846 November 5, 1914) was an American geographer who is described as the "Father of the Quadrangle" which is the basis for topographical maps in the United States. As a result, Gannett has been called the father of government mapmaking . In 1888 Henry Gannett was one of founding members of the National Geographic Society. He served as its first secretary, and later as treasurer, then vice-president, and finally president in 1909. This detailed narrative documents the first-person account of Roald Amundsen s expedition to conquer the South Pole begun on February 10, 1911 and achieving the South Pole on December 14, 1911 at 3:00pm with a temperature of -10º F. Amundsen and his expedition team departed the South Pole on December 17 and arrived at their winter quarters in January 1912, covering a total of approximately 1,750 miles round trip while averaging nearly 15.5 miles per day. Aside from successfully being the first expedition to attain the South Pole, the expedition also achieved significance by determining the extent and character of the Ross Barrier, and by discovering the 530 mile long mountain range connecting South Victoria Land and King Edward VII Land, this mountain range was named the Queen Maud Mountains by Amundsen.
The Foundation Trilogy: Foundation

The Foundation Trilogy: Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation — Signed Association copy

Asimov, Isaac New York: Gnome Press, 1951, 1952 & 1953. First Editions. First Printings, First Issue. Three octavo volumes. 255, [256: blank]; [2: blank], 247, [248-254: blank]; [x], 210, [211-214: blank] pages. A near fine+ three-volume set with the original first state dust jackets also in near fine+ condition. Two dust jackets have the publisher's $2.75 printed price present with very minor wear to the edges although Volume I dust jacket is price clipped. Volume I dust jacket is the rare first issue with the main character throughout the series name misspelled on the front dust jacket flap. The three volumes and their respective dust jackets are in unusually well-preserved condition -- no fading to spines of books or dust jackets. Bindings are tight, pages are clean and no prior ownership names, markings or bookplates in any of the books with the exception of the association signature on the title page in Volume I. A beautiful set of Asimov s Foundation trilogy, winner of the Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series in 1966. This unique association copy is signed and inscribed by David Kyle, who designed the dust jacket for Volume I, Foundation, to renowned science fiction illustrator Stephen E. Fabian. Fabian was a recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2006. He has also been a two-time nominee for the Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist (1970 and 1971), and a seven-time nominee for the Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist (1975 1981). The story begins with mathematician Hari Seldon who conceived his theory of psychohistory, a method of predicting the future along mass social change in humanity, a new and effective mathematical sociology. Using statistical laws of mass action, it could predict the future of large populations. Seldon foresees the imminent fall of the Empire, which encompasses the entire Milky Way, and a dark age lasting 30,000 years before a second empire arises. Although the inertia of the Empire's fall is too great to stop, Seldon devises a plan by which "the onrushing mass of events must be deflected just a little" to eventually limit this interregnum to just one thousand years. To implement his plan, Seldon creates the Foundations two groups of scientists and engineers settled at opposite ends of the galaxy to preserve the spirit of science and civilization, and thus become the cornerstones of the new galactic empire. A key feature of Seldon's theory, which has proved influential in real-world social science, is an uncertainty or incompleteness principle: if a population gains knowledge of its predicted behavior, its self-aware collective actions become unpredictable.
Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa

Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, in the Years 1822, 1823 and 1824, by Major Denham, Captain Clapperton and The Late Doctor Oudney, Extending Across the Desert to the Tenth Degree of North Latitude, and from Korika in Bornou, to Sackatoc, The Capital of The Fellatah Empire. With and Appendix.

Denham, Dixon and Clapperton, Hugh London: John Murray, 1826. 1st Presentation Edition, Signed. Royal 4to -- 29.4cm. [lxviii], 336pp., [iv], 272 pp., Appendix. Two volumes in one. Original Tuscan-red boards, spine with a fine contemporary black morocco label, tooled and titled in gilt; with 37 fine engraved and etched plates, charts and maps, and one large fold-out map, of which 35 full-page plates are on India paper, mounted and, of which 28 are also present in 2nd state for a total of 63 plates in all, comprising a “Proof State Before Letters”, and also on India paper, mounted, wood-engraved illustrations. Binding is professionally re-backed with old spine laid down, inner hinges restored. Now contained in a specially constructed black solander box with integral flap-case -- NB: As a result of a binder’s error, this copy was bound without four leaves (signature C of Volume II) and noted at the time on the original incorrectly bound signature in a contemporary graphite hand: “This is a mistake”. These have been supplied from another copy of the first edition. A Very Good copy of the one of the most sought after issues of this masterpiece of African travel. Presentation Copy of the First Edition inscribed on the front free-endpaper, “John Major from the Publisher”. Lowndes: “The most interesting and important work yet published on the subject of African researches. It is written in a plain and perspicuous style, and containing many particulars of an hitherto unknown country.” This, “one of very few copies printed upon thick paper for presents only”. According to Lowndes, there were 2 “lesser” issues of the first edition: the “regular issue”; a “special issue, with the plates mounted on India paper”; and “third issue for presents only” (op.cit.) – the issue that is listed here, which has the plates mounted on India paper. The engravings, after original drawings by Denham and Clapperton, are superbly engraved by Edward Finden, one of the finest steel-engravers in England at the time. Denham and Clapperton, in the company of Dr. Walter Oudney, travelled from Benioleed, near Tripoli, almost due south to Lake Tchad, with excursions in the mountains west of Mourzuk in Fezzan. Dixon attempted to follow the circuit around Lake Tchad but was unsuccessful. In the meantime, Clapperton and Oudney journeyed west from the lake toward the Niger River, but the doctor only made it about a third of the way, and died in Murmur. Clapperton continued west, but was prevented from passing beyond Sackatoo by the local Sultan. He and Dunham subsequently returned to Tripoli and crossed back to England. This exciting narrative is compiled from Denham’s journal, with a chapter by Dr. Oudney on the excursion to the mountains west of Mourzuk. A final section by Clapperton relates to the westward journey form Lake Tchad to Sackatoo and includes an account of Oudney’s death. Among the several appendices are translations from the Arabic or various letters and documents brought back by Denham and Clapperton, including a document relating to The Death of Mungo Park; a translation from Arabic of A Geographical and Historical Account of The Kingdom of Tak-roor, from a larger work composed by Sultan Mahommed Bello of Hausa; Vocabularies of Bornou, Begharmi, Mandara and Timbuctoo; appendices on the Zoology and Botany of the Regions based on samples collected by Dr. Oudney; a note on Rock Specimens; and a Thermometrical Journal kept at Kouka in Bournou. -- Lownnes I p. 629, Howgego D18 Vol. II.
book (2)

Adventure & A Visit to Nansen: Essays by Ernest Shackleton & Fridtjof Nansen

Whitehouse, JH London: Oxford University Press, 1928. 1st Edition. Adventure by Ernest Shackleton & A Visit to Nansen. 8vo, – 22.7cm, [2], 23pp [5]. In Near Fine publisher’s green cloth backed boards with green cloth back strip, upper cover and spine with publisher’s paper labels lettered in black, two portrait front pieces. Uncut page edges. Near Fine condition internally with tight un-cracked hinges and no prior ownership markings. Scarce. This unique copy is signed by JH Whitehouse on a private library label inside the front cover. Spence 1255; Taurus 132; Renard 1691; Rosove 1343. The significance and importance of this publication to Antarctic exploration lies in the article by Ernest Shackleton entitled “Adventure” where he describes the spirit that moved him to explore. A well-written and interesting pair of essays by two of the most notable and accomplished polar explorers in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Six Came Back

Six Came Back

Brainard, David L. New York & Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1940. 1st Edition, 1st Printing. 8vo – 22.2cm. 305 pages, frontispiece portrait, black-and-white photographic plates, cartographic endpapers. Publisher’s blue cloth with bright gilt titles on cover and spine. In Near Fine Condition — a lovely copy of an important first hand account of the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition under the command of Lieutenant Adolphus Greely. This volume contains Brainard’s entire diary, a portion of which (the last four chapters) was published in 1929 as “Outpost of the Lost.” An unusually well-preserved and complete copy. Arctic Bibliography 2071 First person account by Sergeant David Brainard, one of the six lone survivors of the 25 man Greely Expedition - officially called The Lady Franklin Bay Arctic Expedition that sailed from St. John's, Newfoundland in July 1881 with Lt. Adlophus W. Greely in command. On the day of sailing, Sergeant Brainard began his diary – this was the first publication of Brainard’s complete diary account that documented one of the tragic stories of Arctic polar exploration. Brainard was one of three men who pushed up the Greenland coast to plant the American flag in the snow of the most northern latitude men reached at the time. Brainard also achieved Farthest West crossing Grinnell Land from east to west and for the first time sighting the Western Ocean. An important and very scarce book — also a very good read.
Journal of a Tour in the Levant

Journal of a Tour in the Levant

Turner, William Esq. London: John Murray, 1820. First Edition. Complete in 3 volumes. 8vo – 22.7cm. 22 engraved plates of which 6 are hand-coloured aquatints - 2 of which are fold-out panoramas and one being a double-sided facsimile, 2 fold-out engraved maps, illustrations in text. All half-titles and coloured frontis piece plates are present. Volume I: [xxiii], (2), 408pp. (1); Volume II: [vi], (1), 608pp - incl. Appendix; Volume III: [vi], (1), 546pp – incl. Index, (1-Errata), (1). Later half burgundy morocco with marbled boards and matching marbled end leaves, top page edges gilt, spines with five compartments ruled in gilt with bright gilt titles. Bound by Worsford. A very attractive set inside and out. Near Fine+ and complete. Scarce. First edition of this important work, which contains the accounts of several journeys, not consecutive. Turner spent five years in the Levant with this being a fascinating record of the Levant in the early nineteenth century. Turner's travels, while he was attached to the British embassy at Constantinople, took him to Egypt, the Holy Land, Albania, Greece and numerous Greek islands, as well as Turkey. The plates show costumes and antiquities, as well as views of Smyrna, Patmos and Pergamus. Atabey 1251, Blackmer 1687, Weber 94.
Topography of Troy

Topography of Troy, and Its Vicinity Illustrated and Explained by Drawings and Descriptions. Dedicated by Permission, to her Grace The Duchess of Devonshire.

Gell, William Inscribed and Signed by Lord Byron. London: C. Whittingham, for T.N. Longman and O. Rees, 1804. First Edition. Folio – 43.5cm. (iv), 124 pp. Title leaf with hand-coloured engraved vignette, dedication leaf, 28 hand-coloured plates including 3 fold-out plates and 2 hand coloured maps, 13 engravings in the text, all but 2 coloured -- the entire sequence numbered 1--45, one unnumbered plate at page 21. ¾ tan calf with red morocco spine label and bright gilt decorations on spine. A lovely and complete copy in Near Fine Condition. Rare. The production of this very handsome folio was intended to provide accurate illustrations of the scenery covering the whole region of Troy. William Gell visited the Troy in December, 1801 during his first trip to Greece. He used a camera lucida (an instrument in which rays of light are reflected by a prism to produce on a sheet of paper an image, from which a drawing can be made) to produce in a very short time extremely accurate small-scale sketches of vast landscapes and scenes. The final production of this very handsome folio with its forty-five plates was meant to supply accurate illustrations of the scenery covering the whole region of Troy. This is a very impressive publication. Travel, 399. Blackmer Library 660. “Certainly the most beautiful book on Troy ever printed” --A.K. Lascarides, The Search for Troy, 1553-1874, 1977 Inscribed and Signed by Lord Byron on the verso of the second blank front free leaf reading: Sir William Gell’s Topography of Troy cannot fail to insure the appreciation of every man possessed of a classical taste as well for the information. Sir W. conveys to the mind of the reader as for the ability & research the work’s display. Ld. Byron
The Importance of the Cape of Good Hope

The Importance of the Cape of Good Hope, As a Colony to Great Britain, Independently of the Advantages it Possesses as a Military and Naval Station, and the Key to Our Territory Possession of India.

Fisher, Richard Barnard London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1816, First hardbound edition. 3rd (and best) edition with additions. 8vo – 22.7cm. [xxiv], 190 pp. Fold-out hand-colored aquatint frontispiece, fold-out hand-colored plan in outline. Original boards re-backed with original spine laid down and original endpapers. A very clean and complete copy with no foxing and pages untrimmed. “The first two editions of the work were issued in pamphlet form, and the present volume possesses additions to the letterpress of earlier productions. Fisher was of the opinion that the Hottentots had ‘no language’ and that the few words they pronounced were either Portuguese or Dutch. Fisher complains that there were no taverns, hotels, or even shops in Cape Town, and draws a by no means favorable picture of it inhabitants, who he says, have ‘a most inordinate sense of pride’ while ‘they seem to pride themselves on their dexterity in imposition, and none suffer so much from it as English military and navy. He also quotes Barrow as saying ‘that the inanity of their minds and the indolent habit of their bodies are not even surmounted by self-interest,’ and reference is made to the extreme brutality displayed by the “Africans” (Afrikanders) to their slaves. There is an article on the wines of the colony, and others having reference to the trade in dried fruits, ostrich feathers, ivory, &c. Under the title ‘Further Considerations,’ many suggestions are made for the betterment of the government of the colony ’ Mendelssohn Volume 1. Pp. 547.
Narrative of a Voyage Round the World

Narrative of a Voyage Round the World, in the Uranie and Physicienne Corvettes, Commanded by Captain Freycinet, During the Years 1817, 1818, 1819 and 1820; on a Scientific Expedition Undertaken By Order of the French Government, in a Series of Letters to a Friend

Arago, Jacques London: Treuttel and Wurtz, Treuttel, Jun. and Richter. 1823, First English Edition. Quarto – 27.5 cm. 2 parts in 1, fold-out frontispiece map and 25 lithograph plates -- complete; later full-tan calf with gilt decorative ruled border on front and rear boards, spine with five raised bands, bright gilt decorative compartments and fuchsia morocco title label. Despite the clear evidence of the 'Directions for placing the Plates' present here, there has been some unnecessary confusion about the collation of this book. Ferguson omitted the map from his plate count, while Hill erroneously called for a map and 26 plates. This very clean copy, with the map and 25 plates is complete and in Near Fine+ condition. The first edition in English of this private narrative of the 1817-1820 Freycinet expedition to Australia and the Pacific - in fact the first appearance in English of any account of the voyage. Originally published in French, Arago's book in its many subsequent editions became one of the voyage best-sellers of the nineteenth century. The English edition is much rarer than the French edition. The very large multi-volume French account of the voyage was far more serious and scientific in tone. Arago was the official draftsman on the voyage, and the excellent lithograph plates here are all after Arago’s drawings. WITH: A 3-page letter written and signed by Arago dated 8 April 1842 to Minister M. Piobert discussing the voyages of Dumont Durville and La Place. “The “Uranie” with a crew of 125 men under the command of Captain Louis de Freycinet, entered the Pacific from the West to make scientific observations on geography, magnetism and meteorology. Arago was the artist of the expedition which visited Western Australia, Timor, Hawaii and New South Wales. The original ship wrecked off the Falkland Islands. Two months later, the expedition continued aboard the “Physicenne” which stopped for a time in Rio de Janeiro. Captain Freycinet’s wife, Rose Pinon, was smuggled on board at the advent of the voyage and made the complete journey, causing some discord among the crew. Freycinet named an island he discovered after her – Rose Island among the Samoa Islands. These entertaining letters, written in a lively and witty literary style, provide vivid descriptions of the topography and the inhabitants of the Pacific Islands. The book achieved great success”. Hill 28-29.
The World's Great Adventure 1000 Years of Polar Exploration - Including the Achievements of Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd. with Forewords by General A.W. Greely and Dr. Henry Fairfield Osborn. Signed by Lawrence Gould and John O’Brien

The World’s Great Adventure 1000 Years of Polar Exploration – Including the Achievements of Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd. with Forewords by General A.W. Greely and Dr. Henry Fairfield Osborn. Signed by Lawrence Gould and John O’Brien

Miller, Francis Trevalyan, LL.D., Litt.D. Philadelphia, Chicago and Toronto: The John C. Winston Company, 1930. 1st Edition. 8vo – 22.4cm. 384pp. Flights for the Top of the World and detailed Chronology of Explorations at the rear; illustrated with a colored frontispiece and black-and-white photographs and drawings. Publisher’s blue cloth with colored cartographic end leaves of the north and south polar regions. Silver tiles and color image on front cover are bright, spine silver also bright; very light wear to extremities. A Near Fine and complete copy in a lovely unclipped dust jacket in Very Good condition. This unique copy is signed twice. On page 63, the full-page black-and-white photographic plate of Lawrence Gould is signed by him. Gould was second in command of Byrd’s expedition and served as expedition geologist. On page 76, the full-page photographic plate of John O’Brien is signed by O’Brien. He served as chief surveyor and Assistant to Admiral Byrd on the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. The book presents a well-researched history of polar expeditions, by Admiral Byrd and many others.
Southern Lights: The Official Account of the British Graham Land Expedition 1934-1937 -- Signed by John Rymill

Southern Lights: The Official Account of the British Graham Land Expedition 1934-1937 — Signed by John Rymill

Rymill, John London: Chatto and Windus, 1938. First Edition. 4to – 25.8cm. [xv], 296pp., frontispiece plus 121 excellent sepia toned photographs, three fold-out maps with color, several full-page maps -- some in color, one large fold-out color map at rear -- complete. A Near Fine copy in publisher’s green cloth covered boards with bright gilt title label on spine. Internally in Fine condition with tight un-cracked hinges and no prior ownership markings; no foxing, inscriptions, folds or tears. Exterior is Near Fine with no wear to edges or corners of original green cloth. A well-preserved complete copy in Near Fine condition. This unique copy is signed and inscribed by John Rymill on the front free end leaf. Conrad 296; Spence 1016. Rosove 226.A1.c Southern Lights is a well-written first person narrative of an important expedition establishing that Graham Land, in the Weddell Sea, was part of the Antarctic Continent and not an archipelago. Containing two chapters by A. Stephenson and a historical introduction by Hugh Robert Mill. The British Graham Land Expedition’s objectives were simple: “experience the adventure of polar living, matching danger and daring while exploring Graham Land by ship, sledge and airplane". This book is an interesting and good read with excellent sepia images and maps.
Voyage of “Discovery” -- Signed

Voyage of “Discovery” — Signed, dated and Inscribed by Scott, plus With two lenghtly poetic verses penned in the rear of Volume II

Scott, Captain Robert Falcon C.V.O., R. N. London: Smith Elder & Co 12 October 1905, 1st Edition, 1st Impression. 8vo – 24.6cm. Volume I pp. [I-vii], viii-xx, 556, photogravure frontispiece, title printed in red and black. 3 maps (1 double-page, 1 full-page, 1 folding in end-pocket), 7 color plates, 2 photographic panoramic views on 1 double-page plate, 119 mostly photographic illustrations on 84 plates, 1 full-page plan in text, 16 text vignettes; Volume II pp. [i-v], vi-xii, 508, photogravure portrait frontispiece, 2 maps (1 full-page, 1 folding in end pocket) 5 color plates, 8 panoramic views on 4 double-page plates, 124 mostly photographic illustration on 82 plates, 13pp., index; With 260 full-page and smaller illustrations by Dr. E.A. Wilson and other members of the expedition, photogravure frontispieces, 12 colored plates in facsimile from Dr. Wilson’s sketches, panoramas and maps. In two volumes and collated complete. Publisher's ribbed dark blue cloth, covers with raised bright gilt medallions, spines lettered in gilt. A Near Fine set with prior bookplate inside front covers. Also with original publisher’s notice bound inside front cover of Volume I. Very clean internally with tight hinges. Volume I is signed and inscribed on the half-title page: “To Lady Brownrigg with the Author’s compliments, Oct. 12, 1905, Rob. F. Scott”. Very Rare being signed by Scott. Conrad p. 121; Spence 1050, Renard 1372, Rosove 286.A1a (with errata). “A classic of expedition literature as Scott mixes geographical, scientific and metaphysical observations with the sure hand of an Edwardian gentleman.” —Conrad 121 Additionally, two lengthily inscriptions/poems have been penned on the rear end-page of Volume II. The second eight-line verse appears to be penned by Scott due to similarities in the script style of Scott’s inscription and signature on the half-title page. The first inscription reads: There is something greater in great men than their talents, for the most consummate talents in themselves will not make a great man. There is in them besides their talents, their spirit, their character, that magnetic fluid, as it were, that enables them to influence their fellow men, which makes them a binding and stimulating power. The second poem appears to be by Scott's hand and reads: Think what a pageant of immortal acts, Done in the unapproachable face of time. By the high, transcending human mind . Think of the soldiers and priests; Artists, & captains of discovery, God's chosen, His adventures esp the heights of thought & deed – how many of them that led The forlorn hopes of the world!.
The Life Of Captain James Cook: The Circumnavigator -- Signed twice & Inscribed by Kitson

The Life Of Captain James Cook: The Circumnavigator — Signed twice & Inscribed by Kitson

Kitson, Arthur London: John Murray, 1911. First Edition. Large 8vo – cm. 334pp., Appendix, Index, Publisher’s Ads at back; b/w photographic illustrations + fold-out colour map; internally in Very Good condition with only beginning intermittent foxing, minor professional restoration at spine extremities.An excellent copy of a Scarce publication. Rosove 192.A1 This most unique copy is signed and inscribed by Arthur Kitson on the half-title page. Also included is Kitson’s inscribed business card mounted on the front free end leaf. Kitson presents an accurate chronology of Cook's career on the ‘Eagle’, ‘Pembroke’, ‘Northumberland’, ‘Endeavour’ and Cook’s 2nd and 3rd Pacific voyages. A very well-research book and most difficult to find in the 1st UK Edition.
In Amundsen's Tracks on the Axel Heibert Glacier: The Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society and Monthly Record of Geography -- Signed and inscribed by Wally Herbert

In Amundsen’s Tracks on the Axel Heibert Glacier: The Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society and Monthly Record of Geography — Signed and inscribed by Wally Herbert

Herbert, W.W. London: Royal Geographic Society, December 1963. Volume 126, Part 4. 8vo – 24.5cm. In Amundsen's Tracks. pp397-411 large fold-out color map. Publisher’s blue printed wrappers with black titles on front cover and stapled binding – complete and in near fine condition. An informative publication of a presentation by W.W. Herbert to the Royal Geographic Society in December 1963 discussing his impressions of Amundsen’s journey along the Axel Heibert Glacier enroute to his conquest of the South Pole. Herbert followed the tracks of Amundsen and gives this most engaging and informative account while projecting the experience and what it must have been like in the context of Amundsen’s time fifty years earlier. With discussion notes by RGS President Sir Raymond Priestly at the rear. The leader of the British Trans-Arctic expedition was Walter William "Wally" Herbert (1934-2007) who made a 3800-mile surface crossing of the Arctic Ocean. This unique copy is signed and inscribed by Herbert on the front cover and also signed above his printed name on the large fold-out color map mounted at the rear of this publication.
The Polar Regions in the Twentieth Century

The Polar Regions in the Twentieth Century, Their Discovery and Industrial Evolution — Signed and Inscribed by A.W. Greely

Greely, A. W. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1928. First edition. [x], 270pp. 27 photographic plates and illustrations, large fold-out color map. Index. Publisher’s blue cloth lettered in light blue. Interior with front hinge beginning to crack, so pages untrimmed, some wear to extremities, otherwise a very good copy. Signed and inscribed by A.W. Greely on the front free end leaf and including art two newspaper articles (obituaries) discussing his career and death. Arctic Bibliography 6116. An account of "the discovery and industrial evolution" of the Polar Regions by Civil War hero and famous polar explorer Adolphus W. Greely. In this informative overview, Greely discusses Arctic and Antarctic discoveries prior to 1800 to include the Northwest Passage, the Bering Sea, Arctic Alaska and Polar Canada, Hudson’s Bay, the Kane Sea, Greenland, Iceland, the Asian Arctic, the Antarctic Regions and more. Greely was also responsible for supervising the laying thousands of miles of telegraph cable while in the U.S. Army Signal Corp.
My Last Expedition to the Antarctic 1936-1937 -- Signed by Lars Christensen

My Last Expedition to the Antarctic 1936-1937 — Signed by Lars Christensen

Christensen, Lars Oslo, Norway: Johan Grundt Tanum, 1938, First Edition. 4to – 23.5 cm. 18pp including black-and-white frontpiece portrait of Lars Christensen, 25 black-and-white photographic images on 9 plates, two photographic maps, cartographic end leaves. Publisher’s textural dark brown paper-covered boards, publisher’s printed label to the upper board. No prior ownership markings. A near fine and complete copy in excellent condition. Scarce. This publication is a production of a lecture delivered before the Norwegian Geographical Society on September 22, 1937. Lars Christensen had a deep interest in Antarctica and its animal life. He was particularly interested in making geographical discoveries, and gave his captains wide latitude to do so. He financed several expeditions specifically devoted to the exploration of the Antarctic continent and its waters, and he personally participated in some of these, bringing his wife Ingrid with him in the 1936–1937 expedition. He was among the first to use aerial surveying with seaplanes to map the coast of East Antarctica, which he completed from the Weddell Sea to the Shackleton Ice Shelf, concentrating on Bouvetøya and the region from Enderby Land to Coats Land. From the seaplane brought on the 1936–1937 expedition, members took 2,200 oblique aerial photographs, covering 6,250 square miles (16,200 km2). —Wikipedia
Across the Top of the World -- The Quest for the Northwest Passage

Across the Top of the World — The Quest for the Northwest Passage

Delgado, James P New York: Checkmark Books, 1999 – First Edition, First Printing. 4to, [xii], 228pp., Bibliography (extensive), Index. Profusely illustrated with over 100 color and 100 black-and-white illustrations with 9 maps. A fine copy with unclipped dust jacket. An excellent resource, and a well-written documentation of Arctic exploration and the quest for the Northwest Passage, enhanced by quotations from first-hand accounts and by dramatic images.
Skyward -- Deluxe Autographed Edition -- copy #6 Signed by R E Byrd and G P Putnam’s Sons

Skyward — Deluxe Autographed Edition — copy #6 Signed by R E Byrd and G P Putnam’s Sons

Byrd, Richard E. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1928. With a foreword by William A. Moffett. Octavo – 25.0 cm., [2], xv, [1, blank], 348 pp. Ten photogravure plates, with descriptive tissue guards, and forty-six photographic plates on twenty-three leaves (58 illustrations total); fold-out map at end. Publisher’s ¾ blue cloth with bright gilt ruling on boards with spine stamped in bright gilt. Edges untrimmed. A Near Fine copy. Mounted on the front pastedown endpaper is a portion of the fabric (showing both sides) which covered the plane ‘Josephine Ford’ on her historic flight over the North Pole on May 9th, 1926. Arctic Bibliography 2592 One of five hundred hand-numbered copies signed by R E Byrd and G P Putnam’s Sons -- this being copy #6. In excellent condition exterior and interior; hinges tight and pages unmarked and crisp.
Little America: Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic

Little America: Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic, The Flight to the South Pole — Author’s Autographed Deluxe Edition — Signed by R E Byrd and G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

Byrd, Richard E. New York: Putnam’s Sons,1930. First Deluxe Edition. Sm4to – 25.1cm. [1], Xvi, 436 Pp. With 74 photographic illustrations and maps including two fold-out maps. In publisher’s ¾ white vellum over blue paper-boards. Taurus 114. The official account of Byrd’s initial Antarctic expedition, the first American expedition of its kind. The book is named for the base camp “Little America” from which Byrd conducted his expedition, setting up radio towers and airstrips, which revolutionized Arctic exploration. Byrd was perhaps the most famous American polar explorer. Many believe Byrd’s introduction of aerial, snowmobile and radio technologies marked the end of the “heroic age” of Antarctic explorations, which was replaced by the “mechanical age. A near fine copy.
Discovery — Deluxe Limited Edition -- The Story of the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition. Signed by R E Byrd

Discovery — Deluxe Limited Edition — The Story of the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition. Signed by R E Byrd

Byrd, Richard New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1935, First Edition Deluxe Limited and signed Issue — this being copy #175. 1st printing, 8vo – 25.1cm. [xxi], (1), 405pp – rough cut edges and this copy un-trimmed. Appendix, Indexed, maps and over 100 photographic illustrations, gilt speckled end leaves, publisher’s ¾ blue cloth and vellum boards with bright gilt ruling; bright gilt title and ruling on lightly darkened spine cloth. A Near Fine and complete copy. Conrad p291, Spence 229, Taurus 119. Combining the most primitive means and the most modern while traveling by ship, dog team and airplane, Admiral Byrd and his men penetrated to the very heart of the Antarctic. In all, twenty two branches of science profited from the discoveries during this expedition. Among the numerous firsts that resulted were: the Antarctic ice cap was tapped by seismic soundings and the depth of the ice determined; on the rim of the polar plateau 180 miles from the South Pole, a sledging party discovered the petrified remnants of semi-tropical vegetation, and on the glacierized slopes of the Edsel Ford Range another party discovered a rare profusion of Antarctic flora hinting of mineral wealth and microscopic life. A well-written and informative first-person account.
The Polar Book -- Signed: “L.C. Bernacchi

The Polar Book — Signed: “L.C. Bernacchi, Physician, Capt. Scott Expedition, 1901-4”

Bernacchi, Louis London: E. Allom, & Co Ltd. 1930, First Edition. 8vo – 21.2 cm., 115pp. 2 maps on one large fold-out plate attached to rear cover, publisher’s soft paper wrappers with figures of polar bear and penguins on front cover, penguins, seal, walrus and mollusk on back cover and spine lettered with black title. Beginning foxing on title page and preliminaries, no prior ownership name. Foreword by L.C. Bernacchi. Signed “L.C. Bernacchi, Physician, Capt. Scott Expedition, 1901-4” on the title page. A Very Good+ copy of this Scarce publication. This unique copy being signed in graphite by L.C. Bernacchi on the upper main title page. Spence 125, Taurus 134, Renard 113, Rosove 1026. The Polar Book is an attempt to bring together various aspects of polar work by means of short authoritative articles. Published in conjunction with the British Polar Expedition of 1930, with contributions from some of Britain’s most noted polar explorers to include Hugh Mill, Frank Debenham, GC Simpson, CS Wright, JM Wordie, GT Atkinson, Dr. G Murray-Levick, Dr. RH Rudmose Brown, HG Watkins and LC Bernacchi.
Two Men in the Antarctic: An Expedition to Graham Land

Two Men in the Antarctic: An Expedition to Graham Land, 1920-1922. Signed by Bagshawe and with Rare Dustjacket

Bagshawe, Thomas With a forward by Frank Debenham, O.B.E., M.A. Professor of Geology at the University of Cambridge, and Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge. By Bagshawe, Thomas Cambridge: University Press. 1939. First Edition – RARE. 8vo -- 22.3cm; pp. [2], [i-vii], viii-xxi, [1], 292, photographic frontispiece, 32 photographic illustrations on 19 plates, 2 photographic panoramas on 1 folding plate, double-page meteorological table, 3 text sketches (1 full-page), 8pp. index, cartographic end leaves, publisher’s light blue Oxford cloth, spine lettered in silver, publisher’s photographic printed dust wrappers. Dust jacket is unclipped and showing some wear at extremities -- in very good condition. Book and cloth in Near Fine condition. —Rosove 23.A1. One of the most elusive Antarctic narrative publications describing the British Imperial Antarctic Expedition of 1920-21. An account of the experiences of Thomas Bagshawe and Maxine Lester of the otherwise failed British Imperial Antarctic Expedition. A well-written narrative by two enthusiast youths who should have known better but did not. Nevertheless, they accomplished important research relative to meteorology, sea ice, and zoological observations.
Sydpolen: Den Norske Sydpolsfaerd med Fram 1910-1912 -- The South Pole: The Norwegian South Pole Expedition with Fram]1910-1912. Complete as published in 40 parts -- with tipped-in signature of Roald Amundsen

Sydpolen: Den Norske Sydpolsfaerd med Fram 1910-1912 — The South Pole: The Norwegian South Pole Expedition with Fram]1910-1912. Complete as published in 40 parts — with tipped-in signature of Roald Amundsen

Amundsen, Roald Kristiania: Jacob Dybwads, [May-September] 1912. 40 parts, First Edition, First Printing. 8vo. Collated Complete with: Sepia photographic frontispiece of Amundsen, 47 plate leaves, 4 maps including 3 coloured two being fold-out, numerous text illustrations, publisher s instructions for private binders at front of Part XXI. Original paper wrappers decorated with circular photograph set within a surround of penguins, the first two parts coloured silver and the remainder light blue-green as called for. All 40 parts complete and in Very Good to Good+ condition; pages untrimmed as issued. RARE original 40 parts First Issue of Amundsen s classic account of his victorious expedition to the South Pole. Rosove 8.A1.1 VERY RARE ORIGINAL PARTS ISSUE of Amundsen's classic account of his victorious expedition to the South Pole. Amundsen disembarked from the Fram at Buenos Aires in May 1912 to meet his sponsor Don Pedro Christophersen. He was invited to stay on one of Christophersen's estancias to write up his account of the expedition. The Fram returned home without him, leaving Buenos Aires on 7 June 1912, the second anniversary of their departure from Christiania. The sudden contrast was not lost on Amundsen: 'Here I am, sitting in the shade of palms, surrounded by the most wonderful vegetation, enjoying the most magnificent fruits, and writing -- the history of the South Pole. What an infinite distance seems to separate that region from these surroundings! And yet it is only four months since my gallant comrades and I reached the coveted spot . On December 14, 1911, five men stood at the southern end of our earth's axis, planted the Norwegian flag there, and named the region after the man for whom they would all gladly have offered their lives -- King Haakon VII. Thus the veil was torn aside for all time, and one of the greatest of our earth's secrets had ceased to exist. Since I was one of the five who, on that December afternoon, took part in this unveiling, it has fallen to my lot to write -- the history of the South Pole'. With: the original publisher s decorative boards issued to bind the 40 parts. With: tipped in signature of Roald Amundsen Noticeably lacking the heroic tone of Scott's accounts, Amundsen's typically modest narrative of the Norwegian endeavor 'speaks of what is achieved, not of their hardships. Every word a manly one. That is the mark of the right man, quiet and strong' (Nansen, Introduction). Written before the outcome of Scott's Terra Nova Expedition was known, the differences between the two expeditions were already being outlined, and the battle-lines in what would become an ongoing debate already being drawn: 'For the victory is not due to the great inventions of the present day and the many new appliances of every kind. The means used are of immense antiquity, the same as were known to the nomad thousands of years ago, when he pushed forward across the snow-covered plains of Siberia and Northern Europe. But everything, great and small, was thoroughly thought out, and the plan was splendidly executed. It is the man that matters, here as everywhere. Let no one come and prate about luck and chance. Amundsen's luck is that of the strong man who looks ahead' (Nansen, ibid). This original parts issue of Sydpolen was followed by Jacob Dybwads' 2-volume edition and translated immediately into English, Danish, French, and German. Rosove lists only 2 copies of the original parts issue (one of which lacks the binding advertisement and instructions) calling it 'VERY SCARCE'. He lists no copies in public institutions. Most part issues were bound together by contemporary binders, the original printed wrappers being 'variably retained', and even these bound sets Rosove considers 'uncommon' (4 listings). No set of the original parts issue is recorded at auction by ABPC since 1975