Walter May, 1855
Details
A Series of Fourteen Sketches Made during the Voyage up Wellington Channel in Search of Sir John Franklin
Walter May, 1855
MAY, Walter W. (1831-1896). A Series of Fourteen Sketches Made during the Voyage up Wellington Channel in Search of Sir John Franklin. London: Day and Son, 1855.
First edition, an important Franklin Search color plate book. May served as mate aboard the Resolute during the expedition of 1850-1851 and led a depot-laying party as far as Cape Gillman on Bathurst Island, traveling 371 miles in 34 days. He also undertook a short exploratory journey around Griffith Island. The present work records his impressions of the expedition of 1852-1854 when he served as Lieutenant in the Assistance under the overall command of Sir Edward Belcher. During this expedition he undertook a journey on which he covered 600 miles in 62 days. May retired from the Navy as a Commander in 1854 and went on to a successful career as an artist: the bas-relief on the pedestal of Franklin's statue in Waterloo Place, London, is from his design. Abbey Travel 646; Bobins 57; Sabin 47083; TPL 3454.
Folio (364 x 270mm). Subscriber's list. 14 color lithographed plates on 13 sheets (a little light spotting). Modern half morocco over patterned boards, spine gilt in compartments. Provenance: A.W. Geely (short note and ownership inscription on title).
Walter May, 1855
MAY, Walter W. (1831-1896). A Series of Fourteen Sketches Made during the Voyage up Wellington Channel in Search of Sir John Franklin. London: Day and Son, 1855.
First edition, an important Franklin Search color plate book. May served as mate aboard the Resolute during the expedition of 1850-1851 and led a depot-laying party as far as Cape Gillman on Bathurst Island, traveling 371 miles in 34 days. He also undertook a short exploratory journey around Griffith Island. The present work records his impressions of the expedition of 1852-1854 when he served as Lieutenant in the Assistance under the overall command of Sir Edward Belcher. During this expedition he undertook a journey on which he covered 600 miles in 62 days. May retired from the Navy as a Commander in 1854 and went on to a successful career as an artist: the bas-relief on the pedestal of Franklin's statue in Waterloo Place, London, is from his design. Abbey Travel 646; Bobins 57; Sabin 47083; TPL 3454.
Folio (364 x 270mm). Subscriber's list. 14 color lithographed plates on 13 sheets (a little light spotting). Modern half morocco over patterned boards, spine gilt in compartments. Provenance: A.W. Geely (short note and ownership inscription on title).