HEARNE, SAMUEL. A Journey from Prince of Wales's Fort in Hudson's Bay, to the Northern Ocean.

HEARNE, SAMUEL. A Journey from Prince of Wales's Fort in Hudson's Bay, to the Northern Ocean. 9 maps and plates. 4to, later 3/4 morocco, rubbed at edges; foxing to the plates, repaired tears to the frontispiece map, leaves following the title partially detached; ex-library, with inked stamp to the title and plates. London: for A. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1795

first edition of a cornerstone among arctic literature. Hearne was the first European to travel overland to the Arctic Ocean. The purpose of his expedition was to confirm the existence of copper mines in the region, but in the course he discovered Great Slave Lake and confirmed the non-existence of a Northwest Passage through Hudson's Bay. "[His journal] was the first of a long series of Arctic Voyages and Travels which reflect so much honor on the British Press. Its publication is due to the celebrated navigator La Perouse who captured Fort Albany, Hudson's Bay, and found the MS. of Hearne. The fort was afterwards surrendered to the British, but La Perouse stipulated for the publication of this work by the Hudson's Bay Company, which stipulation was honorably fulfilled in this beautiful volume"--Sabin 31181; TPL 445; Lande 1220.
All items are offered for sale subject to Swann Galleries' standard terms and conditions of sale, which are published in our catalogues and are posted below.