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Auction: 347 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 75

United States. American Arctic Expedition -- First Grinnell Expedition Award Medal, 1851. Silver, 38mm. By G.H. Lovett. The 'Advance" and the "Rescue' ice bound, rev. Struck legend with engraved naming: "Presented by the British Residents of New York, to Edwd. C. Del'no, Seaman in Commemoration of His Services, in the American Arctic Expedition Sent By Henry Grinnell Esq. in Search of Sir John Franklin.1851."

In 1845, Sir John Franklin was given command of the British expedition to find the North West Passage. The Arctic-bound voyage left England aboard two ships -- HMS 'Erebus' and the HMS 'Terror'. Near King William Island in what is now the territory of Nunavut, the ships became icebound in Victoria Strait. Sir John would die June 11, 1847, while the entire crew of 129 men would perish over the following year from starvation, hypothermia, tuberculosis, zinc deficiency, lead poisoning and scurvy. At the time and for many years after, though, the fate of Franklin and his men remained unknown. Over the next three decades, more than 40 rescue attempts would be launched, while Lady Franklin's desperate search for her lost husband would engender such popular ballads as "Lady Franklin's Lament".

Following Lady Franklin's appeal to President Zachary Taylor, retired NY Merchant Henry Grinnell financed a polar expedition in 1850 to search for the Franklin Expedition. Under the command of Lieutenant Edwin de Haven, USN, the 144-ton "Advance" and the 91-ton "Rescue" manned by a crew of 33 USN volunteers left New York harbor in May. They joined two British search ships in Lancaster Sound in August. After a harrowing time, the vessels returned without resolving the mystery, although they did discover Franklin's first wintering camp at Beechey Island.

Seaman Edward C. Delano served aboard the brig "USS Advance"

Pierced for suspension, contact marks (scratches) from wear and some small rim bruises, otherwise About Very Fine and Extremely Rare.

Estimate
$2,500 to $3,500