CONQUERING THE ARCTIC ICE

First edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed by the author to Valdemar Josef Glückstadt. 8vo. Publisher's original grey cloth with an image of a polar bear in white and titles in black to the upper board and with titles in gilt to the spine. Top edge gilt, the others untrimmed. Illustrated profusely throughout with numerous black and white photographs, two maps (one folding) and a chart. Attractive engraved bookplate for Valdemar Glückstadt (which depicts the part of Greenland that was named after him) to the front pastedown. A near fine copy, the binding square, firm and bright with a little bumping to the corners. The contents with a later inscription (dated 1927) to the front free endpaper, a little toning and some light scattered foxing to the preliminary pages and scattered foxing to the edges of the text block are otherwise clean and bright throughout. An attractive example, scarce signed.

Signed and inscribed by Enjar Mikkelsen to the front free endpaper "Til Hr. Konsil Valdemar Glückstadt / venskabeligt / Ejnar Mikkelsen". An excellent association copy of the Danish explorer's first published work, inscribed to expedition committee member Valdemar Josef Glückstadt (1868-1942). In 1906-07, Mikkelsen and Ernest Leffingwell led the ambitious Anglo-American Polar Expedition to north Alaska and northwestern Canada, determined to discover and map a supposed land mass - known as 'Keenan Land' - that was thought to exist at the top of the world. Not long into the expedition their ship, the Dutchess of Bedford, became locked in trap ice and was then destroyed, with the crew members salvaging the wood to build a cabin. The expedition over-wintered at Flaxman Island, Alaska and then proceeded on foot, using dog sleds, over the ice of the Beaufort Sea in search of the new land. Ultimately, they found that the water increased in depth the farther north they travelled, the pattern of their findings conclusively proving that there was no land mass in the north polar region and establishing the presence of a continental shelf. Mikkelsen was, however, still very satisfied with the results of the expedition, declaring that although they "had not found the land we had so implicitly believed in, it was a consolation for us to know that to prove the absence of land was of as much scientific value as to find it!". Valdemar Glückstadt was a Danish businessman and Consul-General, after whom Vlademar-Glückstadt Land on Greenland was named following his sponsorship of Mikkelsen's expedition. [Arctic Bibliography 11421].

Stock code: 22455

£1,475

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Published:

London: William Heinemann.
1909

Category

Signed / Inscribed
Non-fiction
Maps
Science
Travel / Exploration
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