Franklin expedition: Portraits of doomed Arctic explorers go to auction

[Social Media]

It is the only known photograph of Capt Francis Crozier

 

An original portrait photograph of a famous Arctic explorer, taken shortly before the doomed Franklin expedition, will be auctioned in London next month.

Capt Francis Crozier and 13 other senior officers were photographed in May of 1845.

The complete set of 14 portraits will be auctioned by Sotheby's.

Two images in the set, including Capt Crozier's, are missing from the only other original collection of these portraits known to exist.

Sir John Franklin's expedition to find a Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic became one of the best-known maritime mysteries of all time after the ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror disappeared without a trace in the summer of 1845.

At the request of Sir John's wife Jane, Lady Franklin, at least two sets of 14 daguerreotypes, or early photographs, were taken on board HMS Erebus in the days before the ships' departure. The portraits were made by the Beard Studio, founded by pioneering photographer Richard Beard.

 

FULL STORY

[Tug]

What a horrible tragedy it was from what has been learned the first link in the chain of disaster was the lead used to seal the food tinns this lead to lead poisoning that in turn lead to many bad decisions exacerbating the peril they faced rest in peace Franklin crew you gave it your best

[thaibeachlovers]

IMO a truly vile attempt to profit from someone's death.

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO a truly vile attempt to profit from someone's death.

The photographs are being sold by the descendants of Sir John Franklin.

 

What is ‘truly vile’ about families selling property left by their deceased forefathers?

 

The photographs are their property and its their right to sell if they do choose.

 

 

[roquefort]

8 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO a truly vile attempt to profit from someone's death.

Utter nonsense. That's equivalent to saying no-one should ever be able to sell inherited property.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 8/26/2023 at 10:28 PM, roquefort said:

Utter nonsense. That's equivalent to saying no-one should ever be able to sell inherited property.

If he hadn't died in the attempt I would agree with you.