THE FIRST EXPLORER TO REACH THE NORTH POLE: SIGNED LIMITED FIRST EDITION OF PEARY’S OWN ACCOUNT, ONE OF ONLY 500 COPIES

PEARY, Robert E. The North Pole. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1910. Thick quarto, original full vellum gilt, top edge gilt, uncut. $3000.

Signed limited first edition of Peary’s dramatic and richly illustrated account of his journey to the North Pole, number 59 of only 500 copies signed by Peary and Captain R. A. Bartlett, with a large folding map printed in color, four black-and-white mounted photogravures and 112 tipped-in photographic plates, in publisher's vellum-gilt binding.

This work includes the preparations, organization, and the march to the Pole. "According to Peary, they reached the Pole on April 6 and remained there 30 hours to verify their position. They reached land again at Cape Columbia on the 23rd, and two days later arrived at the ship… Immediately after Peary's arrival, the Cook/Peary controversy broke out as a result of Cook's almost simultaneous announcement that he had reached the Pole one year earlier. Eventually, Cook's claim was rejected as fraudulent by most commentators, and Peary's priority was widely acknowledged. However, Peary's claim, too, has frequently been questioned, and controversy continues even now… The National Geographic Society commissioned a new examination of Peary's route by the Navigation Foundation, of Maryland, which reported in Peary's favor" (Holland, 475). With introduction by Theodore Roosevelt. Without silk ties.

Interior generally clean; inner paper hinges expertly reinforced. A few light markings to vellum, gilt bright. An extremely good copy.