The Greely Expedition, 1881 by Greely, A.W - 1881: Cabinet Card: Lady Franklin Bay Expedition Members -- Signed by A.W. Greely
by Greely, A.W
The Greely Expedition, 1881: Cabinet Card: Lady Franklin Bay Expedition Members -- Signed by A.W. Greely
by Greely, A.W
- Used
- Fine
- Signed
- first
Washington, DC: Rice Photograph Studio, 1217 Pennsylvania Ave. June 1881. Horizontal albumen cabinet photo on white mount 16.4cm x 10.7cm. Excellent condition with no wear or chipping to the edges or corners. Captioned with list of expedition members along the bottom. A Rare item especially in such well-cared for and complete condition — Near Fine+. In addition, this most unique card is signed by A.W. Greely, commander of the expedition, on the backside of the card.
Scarce group portrait featuring 22 members of the U.S. International Polar Year Scientific Expedition to Lady Franklin Bay, Ellesmere Island, sponsored by the U.S. Signal Service and other government agencies. After two winters and the failure of relief expeditions in 1882 and 1883, Greeley abandoned Fort Conger and moved to Cape Sabine as per his predetermined orders. Eighteen men would die that winter — including one by suicide and one execution - Pvt. Charles B. Henry). Seven survivors were rescued by Schley's relief expedition on the June 22, 1883, but Sargent Ellison would perish before reaching St. John's on July 17.
Provenance: This card came from the Grover W. Ayers collection. Grover was a Washington D.C. collector of historical documents. He was the executive director of the "Ten-Mile Square Club" as designated on the verso of this card. Ayers collected important historical documents from the late 1800's to 1935.
- Seller Chet Ross Rare Books (US)
- Illustrator Rice Photography
- Format/Binding Cabinet Card
- Book Condition Used - Fine
- Quantity Available 1
- Edition 1st
- Publisher Rice Photograph Studio
- Place of Publication Washington DC
- Date Published 1881
- Keywords Greely, Lady Franklin Bay, Cabinet Card
- Size 16.4cm x 10.7cm