Polar Record, Signed (3 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. 618 pp.+ 32 Photo Plts, Blue Illus Hardback, 8vo (5 x 8 Inches), owner bookplate else VG, no DJ, 3rd Revised prntng (Inscribed by Cook). Inscribed by Author(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Good +. Reprint. 594 pages plus index. Illustrated with photos. Signed by Cook. Spine is considerably soiled but is readable; front and back covers have minor soiling; corners are bumped and rubbed; front and rear hinges starting. Good plus in red cloth. (161).

First edition, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To James Earnest Naylor with regards from Frederick A. Cook, Montpelier, VT Feb. 29 1912". The book presents Cook's account of his controversial claim to have reached the north pole, which sparked a bitter dispute with Robert Peary, who asserted the same achievement. The recipient, Naylor (1868-1914), lived in Vermont at a time when Frederick A. Cook was touring the state in an effort to revive public support for his polar claim. Contemporary newspaper reports note that Cook was scheduled to lecture in Bennington in late February 1912 but failed to appear, possibly owing to poor ticket sales. The Montpelier inscription indicates that he nonetheless stopped there during this period, perhaps to give a smaller lecture or cultivate local supporters. Cook had previously accompanied Peary on Arctic expeditions before launching his own polar attempt in 1908; his announcement of success in April 1909 was immediately challenged by Peary, and subsequent scrutiny exposed serious inconsistencies in both men's claims. Quarto. Portrait frontispiece, 31 plates, all half-tones; map, illustrations in text. Original brown cloth, spine and front cover lettered in gilt, black and brown vignette to front cover. Some wear and damp-staining, repair to front inner hinge. A very good copy.