Details
FRIDTJOF NANSEN (1861-1930)
One autograph letter signed, one letter signed, and one letter by the secretary to the expedition ('O. Christofersen'), to Robert Boyle and Son, Lysaker, Christiania, Norway, 26 May, 14 June and 17 June 1893, together approximately 3½ pages, 4to, letter of 26 May with two autograph sketches, letter of 14 June endorsed by recipient, letter of 17 June endorsed and annotated (all three letters split at folds and worn at margins, with slight smudging and discolouration in places, not affecting legibility; letter of 14 June repaired with tape on verso).
The letters discuss the proposals for the ventilation system on board the Fram, on the eve of the departure of the 1893-6 polar expedition. In the letter of 26 May Nansen sketches the cabin ventilation system already in place and his proposed arrangement of outlets above deck, and invites Boyle and Son to send their own version, commenting on the need for haste 'as we shall sail within three weeks'. He also questions the practicality of Boyle and Son's proposed 'air warmer' as compared with his own contrivance, but concludes 'I shall certainly be pleased to try it, if there is time to have anything sent'. The letter of 14 June acknowledges receipt of the ventilators and forecasts that they will 'proove [sic] to be of the utmost value in those regions where the ship for years will be our dwelling and where of course good ventilation is conditio sine qua non for our health & sanity'. The letter of 17 June acknowledges an invoice.
The Fram set sail from Christiania on 24 June 1893 and entered the pack ice on 22 September. Nansen and Frederik Hjalmar Johansen achieved their furthest north of 86° 14' on 8 April 1895. (3)
One autograph letter signed, one letter signed, and one letter by the secretary to the expedition ('O. Christofersen'), to Robert Boyle and Son, Lysaker, Christiania, Norway, 26 May, 14 June and 17 June 1893, together approximately 3½ pages, 4to, letter of 26 May with two autograph sketches, letter of 14 June endorsed by recipient, letter of 17 June endorsed and annotated (all three letters split at folds and worn at margins, with slight smudging and discolouration in places, not affecting legibility; letter of 14 June repaired with tape on verso).
The letters discuss the proposals for the ventilation system on board the Fram, on the eve of the departure of the 1893-6 polar expedition. In the letter of 26 May Nansen sketches the cabin ventilation system already in place and his proposed arrangement of outlets above deck, and invites Boyle and Son to send their own version, commenting on the need for haste 'as we shall sail within three weeks'. He also questions the practicality of Boyle and Son's proposed 'air warmer' as compared with his own contrivance, but concludes 'I shall certainly be pleased to try it, if there is time to have anything sent'. The letter of 14 June acknowledges receipt of the ventilators and forecasts that they will 'proove [sic] to be of the utmost value in those regions where the ship for years will be our dwelling and where of course good ventilation is conditio sine qua non for our health & sanity'. The letter of 17 June acknowledges an invoice.
The Fram set sail from Christiania on 24 June 1893 and entered the pack ice on 22 September. Nansen and Frederik Hjalmar Johansen achieved their furthest north of 86° 14' on 8 April 1895. (3)