A Map of the Countries situate about the North Pole

A fine example of American polar cartography from the early 19th century.

This boldly engraved map of the Arctic Circle was published in 1814 by the influential Irish-born American cartographer Matthew Carey. It shows the latest efforts to map the possibility of a Northwest or Northeast Passage; and includes the discoveries of Mackenzie, Hearn, and Karskow, plus the possibly less reliable ‘shore discovered by hunters.’

The Frozen Ocean depicted at the Pole varied enormously in size with seasonal variations, making a commercial route impractical. It wasn’t until 1906 that the Northwest Passage would be conquered via the sea by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen.