Report of the International Polar Expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska, in response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of December 11, 1884.

ALASKA - RAY, P.H. (ed.).

Published by Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1885

About this Item

First edition of the official United States government publication documenting the American contribution to the First International Polar Year of 1882 and 1883. The expedition departed San Francisco in July 1881 and established a long-term observing station near Point Barrow, which remained in operation until 1883. The report records the practical realities of Arctic fieldwork, including coastal and inland travel by sledge, methods of construction and survival in polar conditions, and the use of permafrost for storage. It also documents notable events of the expedition, among them the loss of the whaling vessel North Star to the ice. The folding map illustrates the surveyed coastline and inland routes explored during the expedition. Arctic Bibliography 7747 and 14292 (for the Narrative); Casey Wood, p. 530. Quarto. Colour frontispiece, 2 chromolithograph plates, 10 photogravure plates, lithograph plate, 7 wood engraved plates, 5 charts, folding map. Original black cloth, spine lettered in gilt, boards ruled in blind. Bookplate of "Karl A. Pember". Ownership inscription of "James Moffitt" in black ink to front free endpaper. Spine toned with spot of wear, gilt faded, a couple of corners worn, faint marks to covers, front joint starting but firm, minor foxing. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 186340

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Report of the International Polar Expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska, in response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of December 11, 1884.
• Publisher: Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1885
• Edition: 1st Edition