Arctic Expeditions: Franklin's lost expedition, 1845 (Mar. 3) O.H.M.S. endorsed stampless entire letter of application, sent from Noblehouse in the Scottish Borders by Assistant Surgeon Daniel Ritchie to the Secretary of the Admiralty in London. Having read of its preparation “in one of the public journals”, Ritchie proposes himself as a candidate for the “expedition ... for the Polar Regions” and may later have considered himself fortunate that his services were not required. (Image1)

Arctic: Jackson-Harmsworth Expedition 1894-97: 1896 envelope showing rare expedition straight line "FRANZ JOSEF LAND" in violet, with enclosed letter to Henry Cooke, H.B.M. Vice-Consul in Archangel, written and signed by expedition leader Frederick George Jackson at "Elmwood/Cape Flora/Franz Josef Land", dated "July 29 1896" and posted from London registered to Russia franked by G.B. 2d. and 21/2d., with receiving annotation "rec'd at Archangel Sept. 6/18 1896". Jackson writes, "I have asked Mr. Harmsworth to send you an abstract of my letter to him . . . we are meeting with many unexpected difficulties and disappointments here but shall, I trust, lick them all in the end of the thing. You may be sure we shall do our best to uphold the honour of old England in the far north." Jackson later publically expressed his gratitude to Cooke for his assistance in the purchase of furs and a pre-tested log-hut for the expedition. On 17 June there had occurred the surprise arrival of Fridtjoft Nansen and a sole companion from the "Fram", Hjalmar Johansen, who had attempted a failed dash to the Pole and only by good fortune stumbled upon Jacksons' field headquarters, "Elmwood" on Northbrook Island. Nansen and Johansen subsequently returned to Norway on Jackson's ship "Windward" whilst Jackson remained in the Arctic for a further year. On July 26 the "Windward" had arrived, departing on Aug. 7 with Nansen, Johansen and covers including this item aboard, reaching Vard¿ in northern Norway on Aug. 13 from where telegrams were sent informing the world of Nansen's safe return, before the "Windward" carried on to London, arriving on Sept. 3. Photo.
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