Voyage of the Jeannette ~ 2 Volume Set

By George W. DeLong

Boston Broughton, Mifflin and Company 1884. 2 Volumes. Thick 4to, Vol. I: (xii) 440pp., engraved portrait of George W DeLong as frontis with tissue guard, 2 steel engraved plates, 6 wood engravings, 26 vignette illustrations, 8 maps and charts including foldouts. Vol. II: (x), 470pp (page numbering continuous between volumes and totally 911pp.), Index, frontis tinted colour litho entitled Cairn Tomb, Monument Hill, Lena Delta with tissue guard, 7 engravings, 15 vignette illustrations, 16 maps, charts and diagrams including fold-outs. Overall in Near Fine condition — no foxing, folds or tears, no prior ownership markings, hinges un-cracked and strong — an extraordinary clean and bright copy.

DeLong sailed from San Francisco in July 1879 with the intention of sailing through the Bering Strait and then enter the Pole byway of the New Siberian Islands and Wrangel Island. The last sighting of the Jeannette was at Wrangel Island during the first two years of the voyage. In the space of those two years the crew struggled against the ice and extremely harsh conditions, but was unable to save the ship which was ultimately crushed by the floes. The crew escaped, but several perished in a storm, and several of those who reached land died from starvation and extreme conditions. This extensive account of the tragic Voyage of the Jeannette was edited by DeLong’s widow, Emma DeLong.