Farthest North, Being the Record of a Voyage of Exploration of the Ship Fram 1893-96. Nansen, Fridtjof.
Publisher: George Newnes, London
Publication Date: 1898
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: 1st Edition
8vo, 2 volumes bound in one. Vol. 1: [xv], 480, [folding map] Vol. 2: [viii], 456. Illustrated with Portrait frontispiece in volume I and monochrome frontispiece in II, 64 monochrome plates, one color-printed plate, one color-printed folding map by John Bartholomew & Co., with over 200 illustrations and large colour folding map in back of volume 2 and letterpress tables in the text. Pages very slightly but evenly toned. All edges speckled red. 17 x 23.5 cm. Rebound in contemporary half burgundy morocco (very slightly rubbed ; short split in lower front hinge). In 1890, Norwegian scientist and explorer Fridtjof Nansen announced an innovative plan for Northern polar expeditions. "His theory, that a drift-current sets across the polar regions from Bering Strait. towards the east coast of Greenland was based on a number of indications. His intention was to get his vessel fixed in the ice to the north of Eastern Siberia and let her drift with it." Although criticized, his plan succeeded. "His ship, the 'Fram' ('Forward'), was specially built of immense strength and peculiar form" in order to endure the ice-floes. "During the winter of 1894-95 it was decided that an expedition should be made northward over the ice on foot in the spring. Being satisfied that the 'Fram' would continue to drift safely," Nansen led the expedition to 86 degrees North, "the highest latitude then reached by man" (Britannica).heavily illustrated narrative of the thrilling journey which brought Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930), the scientist, explorer, diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, further north than any other before him.Cf Arctic Bibliography 11983 (first US edition); NMN I, 991 (first English edition); PMM 384 (first edition: 'A remarkable achievement in polar exploration').