Seven Log-Books Concerning the Arctic Voyages of Captain William Scoresby + The 1806 Log Book, in 9 volumes, complete

Pp. 27; 191; 57; 34; 38; 34; 83; 61, (82); numerous facsimile plates of logbooks, color and black-and-white portraits of both the senior and junior Scorsby, folding maps, and charts. Publisher’s original marbled boards in original slipcase with a later matching marbled fabric cover, lg folio (16 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches) + original black cloth with paper spine label, in original pictorial dust jacket, sm 4to (10 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches). Complete in 8 volumes (7 log books + matching introductory brochure volume). The introductory volume is by Frederick S. Dellenbaugh. This is number 141 of a limited edition of 300 numbered copies. Also included here is a ninth log-book volume: Scoresby, William: The 1806 Log Book Concerning the Arctic Voyage of Captain William Scoresby. Whitby, Yorkshire: Caedmon of Whitby, 1981, ISBN 0 905355 24 5. An Eberstadt catalog of 1952 notes the following about the Explorer Club set: "Three hundred copies printed and plates destroyed; all copies permanently deposited in institutions, except for three presented to individuals: Dellenbaugh, Bartlett, and Stefansson. Although perhaps the most important work on whaling and early far-northern exploration ever to achieve print, apparently the desire of the patron, the late James B. Ford, that no copy should ever come on the market, has until now been fulfilled. The only record of the work is an appraisal made in 1937 by a qualified person, placing its value 'at a minimum of one thousand dollars.' The log-books, describing fourteen voyages into the Arctic seas from 1786 onward, are invaluable records of early northern navigation, whale fishing, and original exploration. Scoresby was the most successful whaler and ice navigator that ever lived; a foremost proponent of the Northwest Passage; inventor of the top-gallant 'crow’s nest,' the ice drill, and much whaling equipment; and, with his son a leading scientific observer of the polar regions into which on many successive voyages he pushed farther than man had ever before ventured." This note documents the great rarity of this set. No previous ownership marks.