“NEVER SHALL I FORGET THE DREARINESS OF THIS MOST ANXIOUS NIGHT”: FIRST EDITION OF LYON’S 1824 ARCTIC EXPEDITION

(ARCTIC) LYON, George Francis. Brief Narrative of an Unsuccessful Attempt to Reach Repulse Bay. London: John Murray, 1825. Octavo, modern three-quarter tan calf, raised bands, red morocco spine labels, marbled boards. $1000.

First edition, with folding map of Hudson’s Bay and seven engraved plates.

After sailing with Parry’s second voyage, Lyon was given command of the Griper outfitted for an attempt to connect the discoveries of Parry and Franklin. “In trying to push through Rowe’s Welcome the Griper was so tossed and battered by ferocious seas, smashed by fields of ice, overwhelmed by furious gales—the ice jammed the rudder right up into the ship—that he was forced to make for home” (Mirsky, 106). “He gives a detailed account of navigation conditions, and of native life about the northwest coast of Hudson Bay” (TPL 1324). Arctic Bibliography 10530. Sabin 42851. Bookplates.

Infrequent foxing. A near-fine copy, attractively bound.