Catalog Archive
Auction 142, Lot 138

"General Chart Shewing the Track of H. M. Ships Fury and Hecla, on a Voyage for the Discovery of a North West Passage, AD. 1821-22-23", Parry, William Edward (Adm. Sir)

Subject: Northern Canada & United States

Period: 1824 (dated)

Publication: Journal of a Second Voyage

Color: Black & White

Size:
23.5 x 10 inches
59.7 x 25.4 cm
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This detailed chart delineates Admiral Parry's voyage of 1819-20 in search of a Northwest Passage. It tracks his route from the north of Scotland across the Atlantic and into Hudson's Bay. The map itself extends all the way across Canada and Alaska to include Bering's Strait, but detail is confined only to those areas actually known with vast areas and coastlines left virtually blank. Parry had previously sailed under John Ross on his voyage of 1818, during which voyage Parry became sure that Baffin Bay would lead to the Northwest Passage. Ross had been chastised by the Admiralty for turning back too soon on the 1818 voyage, so Parry was given the command of the Hecla along with Lieutenant Matthew Liddon commanding the Griper for their voyage of 1819. Parry's expedition penetrated far into the potential passage, which led to Parry being hailed as a hero and promoted to commander in 1820. Parry proved that wintering over in the Arctic was possible and gained much knowledge of the Inuit, but was never successful in completing the passage due to the ice. This map is filled with interesting place names and early arctic mapping. The Mackenzie River is shown reaching the sea "according to McKinzie." A note below the title indicates that the shaded areas along the coastline depict the areas discovered during Parry's expeditions. The map appeared in Sir William Edward Parry's Journal of a Second Voyage for the Discovery of a North-West Passage…, published by John Murray in 1824. Engraved by John Walker.

References:

Condition: B+

Issued folding with a small spot in Baffin Bay and light soiling.

Estimate: $375 - $450

Sold for: $190

Closed on 11/28/2012

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