Farthest North – Charles Lanman – 1885 | 1st Ed., Expedition Survivor Provenance

A first edition of Farthest North by Charles Lanman, the historical biography documenting the role of Lieut. John Booth Lockwood in the Greely Arctic Expedition (a.k.a., Lady Franklin Bay Expedition). Lockwood’s journey to 83°24′N marked the highest latitude reached by an American to that date. Lanman assembled this text as a record of Lockwood’s contributions to one of the most perilous Arctic expeditions of the 19th century. The narrative traces Lockwood’s development from his academic background through his military appointment and final Arctic expedition.

Of special interest is the original photograph and accompanying inscription by prominent expedition crew member and survivor, Brigadier General David Legge Brainard, a distinguished U.S. Army officer with significant service records in multiple conflicts, including World War I. Brainard’s journal recorded extensive details about the expedition’s severe challenges, including Lockwood’s death, which he described as his most difficult experience. Brainard’s disciplined approach to food rationing during the expedition played a key role in maintaining group survival until their eventual rescue by Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley in June 1884.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Farthest North; or, The Life and Explorations of Lieut. John Booth Lockwood, of the Greely Arctic Expedition
• Author(s): Charles Lanman
• Publisher: New York: D. Appleton and Company
• Edition: First Edition, 1885
• Format: Octavo (8vo), single volume

• Binding: Original blue publisher’s cloth with gilt title and decorative stamping

• Size: ~ 7.25 in × 5 in (18 cm × 13 cm)
• Collation: 333, [1] pp
• Illustrations: 5 illustrations plus 1 folding map
• Contents Include:
  • Biographical introduction
  • Early life and education of Lockwood
  • Full account of his Arctic journey
  • Summary of the Greely mission’s objectives and outcomes
  • Appendix with relevant expedition data
• Provenance:
  • Handwritten inscription to Miss Jessie Phelps, from her friend D. L. Brainard (1886).
  • Accompanying this inscription is a period photograph of D. L. Brainard, which has been pasted to the front flyleaf.
    • David Legge Brainard (1856-1946) was a career officer in the United States Army, attaining the rank of brigadier general. He was also a noted arctic explorer who attained fame as one of only six survivors of the 1881 to 1884 Lady Franklin Bay Expedition.
  • Bookplate of Jessie Lyon Phelps Leavitt.
    • Jessie L.P. Leavitt was a member of the Samuel Adams Chapter D. A. R., at Methuen, Mass. and also a member of the Mayflower Society of Plymouth, being a direct descendant of Elder Brewster (Elder William Brewster, Patriarch of the Pilgrims and their Ruling Elder 1609–1644).

Condition:

Original navy-blue publisher’s cloth binding, with bright gilt titling and a stylized radiating sun design on the front board. Spine gilt remains legible with minor rubbing and light wear at the head and tail. Corners are lightly dented. Coated endpapers intact. The contents are complete. Pages are clean overall, with light foxing to prelims and scattered toning consistent with age. No repairs or restorations. The structure is sound, and the binding remains firm.

Why Collect This?

• Inscribed by Expedition accomplice and survivor, Brig. Gen. David Legge Brainard!
• First edition, first printing of this standalone biography of a Greely Expedition officer
• Issued before formal U.S. polar records were public
• Relevant to collectors of Arctic travel, American naval history, or pre-1900 polar expedition

Item Number (SKU): #28628