Beschreibung:

FRANKLIN, Sir John (1786-1847). Two autograph letters signed, the first to Revd Edward Stanley, HMS Rainbow, Portsmouth Harbour, 28 December 1833, the second to Captain Owen Stanley, HMS Erebus 'in sight of Rona and Barra', 4 June 1845, together 4 pages, 4to, and 2 pages, 8vo (remnants of guards; seal tear to letter of 1833). In 1833, Franklin gives friendly news of the progress of Stanley's son Percy in the navy (including his 'assistance in the Survey of the Troad'), before going on to discuss his own career prospects -- 'I cannot look at the prospect of professional idleness with any degree of complacency ... As for being Admiral no person of my age and standing can look for that' - before going on to discuss the current state and future prospects of Polar exploration: 'I have received a very interesting letter from Parry ... I heard of the return of the Ross's at Malta ... Young Ross has written to me I suppose to him is due all the Scientific research & matter. He tells me that from his last Magnetical observations he is is now certain of the influence the Aurora Borealis has over the Needle - contrary to what he Parry & Foster supposed and that in fact his present observations agree with those we made ... I much doubt the Government consenting to another Expedition'. The letter to Captain Owen Stanley of the Blazer informs him, with thanks, that having reached full sea-room, 'I must no longer retain the services of the Blazer, which I assure you have been very useful to Crozier & myself', sending friendly regards to Stanley and to his father. Franklin's 1845 voyage in search of the North-West Passage ended with the death of the entire company - although it was not until 1859 that certain evidence was found of their fate. The letter to Captain Stanley must be one of the latest Franklin letters extant. See lot 103 for a manuscript of Tennyson's memorial lines to Franklin. (2)