King, Richard

FIRST EDITION, 8vo (188 x 106mm.), xxxviii, 3-224pp., collation correct despite apparently wanting a divisional half-title before the narrative (A1, pp.1-2), 3 charts (one in text) and 2 plates, contemporary dark blue half calf, spine gilt, marbled boards, endpapers, and edges, one plate and one chart very slightly shaved

Hugh Cecil, Earl of Lonsdale, armorial bookplate

Sabin 37797; Staton & Tremaine 3571

A good copy
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"King took great interest in Franklin's expedition and was one of the first to raise the alarm when he failed to return. He insisted, at first on very slender evidence, that Franklin's party would be found near the mouth of the Great Fish River. His opinion was discounted and in 1847 and 1856 his offer to lead a search party was refused. His loud and continued insistence on the need to search his favoured site increased the animosity of the Admiralty, the Hudson's Bay Company, and the Royal Geographical Society, who were also irritated by popular journals which took up King's point of view. Matters were not helped by King's Franklin Search from First to Last (1855) [i.e. this work] which set out his own convictions and dwelt on the obduracy of those who would not listen to him. Franklin's party was finally found by M'Clintock in 1859 in the spot King had suggested eleven years earlier. The delay, however, probably made no material difference since, even if his advice been taken immediately, it would probably have come too late to save any of Franklin's men" (ODNB).

VERY RARE. Just one copy is recorded at auction, in 1976.