Lot 135: CRESSWELL, Samuel Gurney (1827-1867). A series of eight sketches in colour ... of the voyage of H.M.S. Investigator . London: Day and Son and Ackermann and Co., 1854. Folio (582 x 420mm). 8 chromolithographic plates and one chart. Title

CRESSWELL, Samuel Gurney (1827-1867). A series of eight sketches in colour ... of the voyage of H.M.S. Investigator. London: Day and Son and Ackermann and Co., 1854. Folio (582 x 420mm). 8 chromolithographic plates and one chart. Title incorporating dedication. (Spotting throughout, heaviest to first two plates and chart.) Later half green morocco preserving ?original green cloth lettered in gilt, red edges (extremities lightly rubbed). Provenance: A.S. Mottram (pencil inscription to title) -- thence by descent to the current consignor.

RARE SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE ENTRAPMENT AND ABANDONMENT OF H.M.S. INVESTIGATOR IN THE ARCTIC ICE. In 1850, Robert McClure was given command of the Investigator as part of the second Franklin search expedition. Entering the North-West Passage from the Bering Strait and sailing eastwards, the ship became trapped in pack ice in the autumn of 1851, before being finally abandoned in 1853. Although the events were fully documented, the location of the wreck was not known for over 150 years because of difficulties reaching the area. In July 2010 the Investigator was found at a depth of 8 metres, just off Banks Island, in the Beaufort Sea. The first owner of this book was probably James Naismith Mottram jr (1807-1875), who worked at Gurney's Bank. The Gurneys and Cresswells were notable Norfolk families with intimate connections, so it is possible that Samuel Gurney Cresswell was associated with Mottram. Abbey Travel II 644; Sabin 17490.