HEARNE, Samuel (1745-1792). A Journey from Prince of Wales's Fort in Hudson's Bay, to the Northern Ocean. Undertaken by order of the Hudson's Bay Company, for the discovery of Copper Mines, a North West Passage, &c. In the Years 1769...1772. London: for A. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1795. 4to (272 x 212 mm). 5 engraved folding maps (one hand-colored in outline), 4 engraved folding plates. (Minor foxing to margins.) Contemporary calf gilt, edges gilt (rebacked preserving original backstrip, slight staining to covers).FIRST EDITION of Hearne's description of his discoveries on behalf of the Hudson's Bay Company. Hearne was the first European to travel overland to the Arctic Ocean, investigating potential copper mines North of Churchill. Appointed governor of Prince of Wales's Fort in 1775, Hearne was forced to surrender to La Perouse in 1782 and return to England. La Perouse saved Hearne's manuscript and returned it to the British for publication. Arctic Bibliography 95998; Hill 791; Sabin 31181 (incorrect plate count); Streeter sale 3652; TPL 445.