While the progress and history of science and arctic travel as well, is more often measured by major events, events that become milestones to which all future discoveries and voyages are often measured, the history of science is also measured by lesser events, events thought minor, which contribute none the less, to man's knowledge. These lesser events, sometimes fruitful and sometimes not, contribute to man's understanding of the world by providing the smaller steps toward those milestones.

Such is the case with Laurence Neville Holden's account of the Eclipse Expedition to Vadso in the “SS Norse King”, sometimes referred to as Arctic Lapland Eclipse Expedition of 1896. The journal and photo album offers a person and first hand look into the trials and tribulations of man's attempt at understanding and defining his world.

Unrecorded and unpublished both the manuscript and photo album give an account as Holden titles it: “Eclipse Expedition to Vadso in the 'SS Norse King”. The Manuscript and photographs, all of which are captioned, are dated from July 24, 1896 to August 24, 1896. Beginning in Stavanger, in southwest Norway, the “Norse King” makes her way to Vadso arriving on August 3rd, with stops along the way. The town of Vadso is on the north shore of Varanger Fjord, well within the arctic circle.

The journal and photo album are well worthy of a serious and scholarly article on the nature of a gentleman's scientific expedition for its time as well as a place of honor in any book, manuscript of photographic collection, institutional or private.

The Manuscript

The manuscript journal is approximately 120 pages. 41/2 x 7 inches, covering the period of July 24 to August 24, 1896. The contents of which are of interest to students, scholars and collectors of scientific expeditions, sub arctic and arctic travel, maritime and Norwegian history.

Holden wrote in lavender pencil, in an even, legible hand that is surprisingly fresh and quite readable.

Among Holden's shipmates are members and officials of the British Astronomical Association as well as gentleman scientists.

Sir Robert Ball, astronomer and mathematician whose astronomical interest in the eclipse stemmed perhaps from his belief in the possible existence of a planet between the sun and Mercury, that might be visible during an eclipse.

Edward Maunder, famed for his research on sunspots. The 'Maunder Minimum' is the name given to the period roughly from 1645 to 1715, when sunspots became exceedingly rare, as noted by solar observers of the time. Sunspots are areas of cooler temperature on the sun's surface, and the contrast with the surrounding material leaves them clearly visible as dark spots, particularly during an eclipse.

Annie Scott Dill Maunder, mathematician, (Edward's wife.)

Andrew Crommelin, an astronomer with the distinction of being the namesake of comet '27P/Crommelin' and the Crommelin Crater on the moon.

Prof. Herbert Leaky, mathematician.

An obituary cut from 'The Guardian' of March 15th, 1940 (and pasted in the journal) reveals that Holden became Coroner for the Lancaster district, having succeeded his father in 1906. He had qualified as a solicitor in 1889 and was also Registrar to the Lancaster County Court. The obituary includes a portrait.

Following the written journal are two mounted postage stamps, a Norge (Norway) stamp and a Spitzbergen Local. The journal contains several samples of local plant life as well.

The Photo Album
Accompanying the journal is a large photo album containing 254 photos of the expedition all with manuscript captions. The album is approximately 13 x 10 inches, oblong, leather spine and corners replaced. Also included are six loose photographs, approximately 4.75 x 6.5 inches, two of which are especially interesting landscape photographs.

The photos are numerous and varied, with subjects ranging from the glaciers and jutting mountain peaks to Edward Maunder's wife, the Cambridge trained mathematician. Particularly notable are photographs of the many ships they encountered along the way, resting handsomely in the carm harbor waters. Among the ships are:

The “HMS Active”

The “MS Champion”

The “HMS Calypso”

The “Ellida”

The “Nordsjernen”

The steamship 'King Harold'

Baron Rothchild's yacht with the King of the Belgians on board

The 'Hohenlahc,' carrying the German Emporer

Once at Vadso other ships and yachts arrive, carrying such eminent passengers as Lord Charles Beresford and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The journal and photo album are housed in two new specially made matching archival clamshell boxes. Both boxes are approximately 13.5 x 11 x 4 inches, handsomely presenting itself as a two volume set. Both boxes are quarter bound in gray leather. Gilt rules. Sail cloth over boards. Matching blue leather spine labels with gilt lettering. The 'journal' clamshell box has a recessed compartment to accommodate the journal. Quite nice!

Inquire for more details.

Contact: Harry Saul, Jr., Pleasant Street Antiquarian Book Store. Woodstock, VT 05091