Ross, John (1777-1856) A Voyage of Discovery, Made in His Majestys Ships Isabella and Alexander, for the Purpose of Exploring Baffins

Description:

Ross, John (1777-1856) A Voyage of Discovery, Made in His Majesty's Ships Isabella and Alexander, for the Purpose of Exploring Baffin's Bay, and Inquiring into a North-West Passage. London: Murray, 1819. First edition, large quarto, illustrated with thirty-two engraved plates, charts, and maps (thirteen folding, twelve hand-colored),with the errata slip; untrimmed, bound in contemporary cloth, rebacked, 11 1/4 x 8 3/4 in.
"A famous, even notorious voyage, led by Captain John Ross. Ross attempted to proceed westward through Lancaster Sound, but being deceived, presumably by a mirage, he described the passage as barred by a range of mountains, which he named the Croker Mountains, despite the disbelief of his colleagues. On returning to England in November the report was, at first, accepted as conclusive, and Ross was promoted to post rank in December 1818. In the following year he published this volume. A controversy soon arose which called Ross's courage into question and opened a life-long quarrel between him and Sir John Barrow." (Hill)
Estimate $800-1,000


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