L'Astrolabe in Antarctic ice. Lithograph.
Paris: Ca. 1842. First printing. Print. An Antarctic view from "Voyage au Pole Sud et dans l'Oceanie sur les Corvettes l'Astrolabe et la Zelee..". A lithograph from the folio atlas volume of the "historique" section [atlas pittoresque] or the famous French scientific voyage whose 'aims were to explore the south polar regions and various island groups in the Pacific.'
This view: "L'Astrolabe Faisant de l'eau sur un Glacon. 6 Fevrier 1838". (Parages Antarctiques.) Plt. 22. Stunning vertical close-up of the Astrolabe in ice, seen from the rear. The men are busy on the ice, capturing seals, chipping ice, surveying, etc. 'The expedition reached the ice pack in Jan. 1838, but failed to penetrate it or get south of the 64th parallel. Returning eastward they visited the South Orkney and South Shetland Islands, and discovered Joinville Island and Louis Philippe Land...In 1840, from Tasmania, they returned to the Antarctic region where Adelie Land was discovered.'" (Hill). Black & white lithographs, some with sepia tones.
Image size approx. 12" x 17" on heavy rag paper 21" x 13 1/4". Most have the official blind-stamp of the voyage in the lower margin. The artist on the voyage was L. LeBreton. The prints are quite stunning records of the ships and life on board, catching seals, making water, usually watched with interest by a group of penguins. There is a strong feeling of the sheer expanse of the Antarctic, there among the ice flows. Ferguson 3184; Spence 399; Hill p.89.
Very lt. foxing o/w vgc. Very good condition. Item #438
Price: $600.00