A Negro Explorer at the North Pole.

Fine copy of Matthew Henson's account of his time in the Arctic as the first Arctic explorer of colour and the first man to the North Pole alongside Robert Peary (1856-1920) in 1909. Despite the fact that Peary's claim to the North Pole is now widely discredited, that does not take away the endeavours of Peary and Henson in their seven journeys for the Pole and in particular Henson's prowess as an explorer.

Henson initially met Peary while he was working in a clothing store and he was able to convince Peary to take him on. He demonstrated such skill and determination that he soon became 'first man' on Peary's expeditions. Henson was probably most pioneering in his adoption of Inuit techniques, learning the language to fluency, using igloos and ice survival methods, and was the only non-Inuit to master the use of dog pulled sleds and training of sled-dogs. He was only belatedly rewarded for his efforts, receiving his first honour nearly thirty years after his final Arctic expedition.

First edition; 8vo (19 x 13 cm); 7 photographic plates including frontispiece, previous owners bookplate to pastedown; publisher's blue cloth, white lettering to upper board and spine, small photographic plate of Henson pasted to upper board, a truly fine copy with white lettering crisp and bright; xx, 200pp.