Constantine John Phipps (1744-1792)
A Voyage Toward the North Pole Undertaken by His Majesty's Command 1773. London: Printed by W. Bowyer and J. Nichols for J. Nourse, 1774.
First edition of the future Lord Mulgrave's 'important addition to nautical science' (Sabin). 'The voyage is perhaps best remembered for the presence of young Horatio Nelson, as midshipman aboard the Carcass, and his encounter with a polar bear' (Hill). The expedition aimed to discover a route to India through the North Polar region, but was blocked by pack ice north of Spitsbergen. This is the official account of the voyage, as against that published in the same year by F. Newbery by a member of the expedition. The appendix gives a thorough description of the natural history of Spitzbergen, and gives accounts of distilling fresh water from the sea and astronomical observations. Hill 1351; NMM 805; Sabin 62572.

Quarto (294 x 238 mm). 12 engraved plates, all but one folding or double-page, 3 engraved folding maps and 11 folding letterpress tables (first folding map lightly creased and with marginal tear but without loss, some browning and offsetting to plates, text generally clean with only minor occasional soiling and spotting). Modern half morocco, gilt spine marbled edges (extremities faintly rubbed).

Stamps removed from flyleaf and title – Lord Henry Cholmondeley (armorial bookplate) – Lt Cdr Andrew David (bookplate)

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