2 volumes, 8vo. Frontispieces, 4 color folding maps, 16 chromolithographic plates after Nansen’s sketches, numerous illustrations. Original black cloth gilt, stamped in red, green, and silver, top edge gilt, others uncut (some staining); modern blue paper-covered slipcase. Provenance: Redfield Proctor (1831-1908), 37th Governor of Vermont, Vermont Senator(bookplates).

 

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. Nansen's voyage was the first for the Fram, a ship specially designed to withstand ice pressure; after being frozen in for 3 years, the Fram emerged from the ice undamaged, and went on to carry Roald Amundsen to South Polar waters on his 1910 expedition. Though Nansen didn't reach the North Pole during his expedition, he reached the highest latitude so far attained by man (85° 14'). Nansen's account was instantly successful and was translated into numerous languages. Arctic Bibliography 11983; PMM 353 (Norwegian edition, "it remains the classic story of Polar exploration").