Phipps | A voyage towards the North Pole undertaken by his majesty's command, 1774

PROPERTY OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE SANDYS TRUST, LOTS 109-122

PHIPPS, CONSTANTINE JOHN

A Voyage towards the North Pole. London: J. Nourse, 1774

FIRST EDITION, 4to (294 x 232mm.), dedication, 13 folding or double-page engraved plates or charts (of 15), 11 folding printed tables, contemporary russia gilt, lacking 2 plates, half-title and directions to the binder, joints starting

An important work of early nautical science in the polar regions. It contains a journal of the voyage, and adescriptive catalogue of the natural history and resources of Spitsbergen. This voyage is also notable in that the fourteen year old Horatio Nelson served as a midshipman, under Captain Skeffington Lutwidge, on board the Carcass, one of the two ships that took part in the expedition (the other being the Racehorse, commanded by Phipps).

LITERATURE:

Hill (2004) 1351; Sabin 62572, [Lord Sandys, armorial bookplate (probably Samuel Sandys, 1st Baron Sandys, 1695-1770, added posthumously)]