Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

Celestial & Terrestrial Exploration

Fri, Apr 18, 2025 12:00PM EDT
Lot 248

BURTON, Sir Richard Francis (1821-1890). Ultima Thule; or, ...

Estimate: $600 - $800

Bid Increments

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$0 $5
$30 $10
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$1,000 $100
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$5,000 $500
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BURTON, Sir Richard Francis (1821-1890). Ultima Thule; or, a Summer in Iceland. London: William P. Nimmo, 1875. 8vos. Illustrated. 350, [16, ads]; 408 pp. Publisher's full blue cloth, front boards decoratively stamped in black and gilt, spines stamped in gilt, rear boards decoratively stamped in blind, dark brown coated endleaves (both volumes rebacked preserving the original spines, spines sunned, boards soiled, edgeworn, hinges repaired, text toned with occasional foxing, thumbsoiling). Very good. Volume I with Billington's Library bookplate. FIRST EDITION. Burton's account of his search for sulphur mines in Iceland after his consulship in Damascus ended. He found little sulphur, but was able to explore the island and interact with the people, during his 3 month stay. His book helped increase interest in Norse culture and Icelandic Sagas. One of the best travel books about Iceland in English.