5 pp. incl. a 1-page postscript, on one 4-page lettersheet and one single sheet which was folded and addressed to form an envelope. 4 of the pages with writing both laterally and longitudinally, to make full use of the paper surface, the longitudinal writing, which came after, is in different color ink, apparently to ease distinction when reading, and this later ink has faded a good deal, though still legible with concentrated effort. 12¾x8.
Highly significant letter from the Arctic explorer who was the first to make the full journey along the Northwest Passage, written to his wife from the site of his great discovery: "H.M.S. Investigator, Bay of Mercy, Polar Sea, April 15th, 1853. My Dear Mary, A letter from the Polar Sea is not an event of every day occurrence so I have no doubt it will be highly appreciated, independent of other circumstances which I flatter myself are not altogether unimportant, such as my having been the humble individual to achieve a very interesting service the existence of which was almost considered sceptical, viz the long sought for discovery of a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, or in other word the 'N. West Passage,' which has baffled the endeavors of maritime Europe for nearly four hundred years..." He goes on to give due credit to the Almighty for their safe passage, and describes a number of details of his adventures, which were numerous. This was McClure's second expedition in the ongoing quest for the missing expedition of Sir John Franklin. He set out in 1850 in command of H.M.S. Investigator, to enter Bering's Straight and cross the Polar Sea west to east. He and his men were trapped in the ice for three winters, until finally on April 6, 1853, an expedition sent to his rescue from the east found the party, and McClure and his few surviving men were rescued, finally reaching England in 1854 after another winter in the arctic. He had reluctantly abandoned his ship, for which he was later courtmartialed, then exonerated, and given a knighthood. In the lengthy postscript, McClure makes financial arrangements, both in case of his survival or failure to, and refers to the 20,000 pound prize for discovery of the passage. He was to get 10,000. With the early folder from Parke-Bernet Galleries in which it was auctioned, along with inner folder (browned, brittle and chipped) with typed description; also, the lot number tag, 365.