The Norwegian North Polar Expedition 1893-1896. Scientific Results. Vol. I

Description:

First of 6 volumes of Scientific Reports. Contents: I. C. Archer, The Fram; II. J.F. Pompeckj, The Jurassic Fauna of Cape Flora, Franz Josef Land. With a Geological Sketch of Cape Flora and its Neighbourhood by Fridtjof Nansen; III. A.G. Nathorst, Fossil Plants from Franz Josef Land; R. Collett & F. Nansen, An Account of the Birds; V.G.O. Sars, Crustacea.

This volume contains the first set of scientific results from a famous polar expedition, The Norwegian North Polar Expedition, 1893-1896 led by the celebrated Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930). The intention of the expedition was to reach the North Pole by using the recently discovered east-west current of the Arctic Ocean. Nansen sailed his ship ‘Fram’ to the eastern Arctic Ocean, and intentionally froze her into the pack ice, waiting for the drift to carry her towards the pole.

In the preface, Nansen writes in an understated way: 'The expedition in the Fram must, to some extent be regarded as a pioneer undertaking. It was trying a new mode of travelling for penetrating into the unknown region of the sea surrounding the North Pole. It was not easy beforehand to calculate what difficulties might be met with, or what struggles for life members of the expedition might there be met with.'

Condition

4to, orig. green snake-skin patterned cloth, bevelled boards, teg, others uncut; small tape repair to top edge of two leaves in Preface. Vg. From the library of Prof. J. Green (1928-2016) with his name to flyleaf.