[Rarebooks] FS: Scoreby's Log Books

[Clare Murphy]

SCORESBY, WILLIAM.  SEVEN LOG-BOOKS CONCERNING THE ARCTIC VOYAGES OF 
CAPTAIN WILLIAM SCORESBY, SENIOR OF WHITBY, ENGLAND. INTRODUCTION AND 
NOTES BY FREDERICK S. DELLENBAUGH. New York: The Explorer's Club , 
1916-17. Illustrated by tipped-in color and b&w plates, maps, 
facsimiles, etc., and vignette illustrations in the text. Limited to 
300 copies, this is copy #141. 9 volumes. Marbled paper-covered 
boards in slipcase. Folio. Near fine.

"Three hundred copies printed and plates destroyed; all copies 
permanently deposited in institutions, except for three presented to 
individuals: Dellenbaugh, Bartlett, and Stefansson. Although perhaps 
the most important work on whaling and early far-northern exploration 
ever to achieve print, apparently the desire of the patron, the late 
James B. Ford, that no copy should ever come on the market, has until 
now been fulfilled. The only record of the work is an appraisal made 
in 1937 by a qualified person, placing its value 'at a minimum of one 
thousand dollars."  Eberstadt catalogue 1952.

The log-books, describing fourteen voyages into the Arctic seas from 
1786 onward, are invaluable records of early northern navigation, 
whale fishing, and original exploration. Scoresby was the most 
successful whaler and ice navigator that ever lived; a foremost 
proponent of the Northwest Passage; inventor of the top-gallant 
"crow's nest," the ice drill, and much whaling equipment; and, with 
his son a leading scientific observer of the polar regions into which 
on many successive voyages he pushed farther than man had ever before 
ventured.

Introduction and notes by Frederick S. Dellenbaugh. This set #141 has 
no library markings and no presentation notice, an unrecorded copy. 
Complete in 7 volumes plus matching "Introductory Brochure." As a 
bonus, the much later book entitled The 1806 Log book, published some 
60 years after the original volumes were published. This is a 
facsimile of the log from the Ship Resolution, written in 1806. 
Slipcase needs repair along seams., which are split. Very rare. 
$8500.00

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Clare Murphy
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