n May 1850, the British Admiralty sent out a Franklin Search expedition under Horatio Austin and others. It returned in September 1851, having failed in its primary mission, but with many scientific and surveying observations. As a memento of the voyage, it was decided to publish the five numbers of the Illustrated Arctic News issued in manuscript during the wintering of one of the ships, the Resolute. This Facsimile offers an engaging glimpse into life on board ship during off-duty hours. The text includes details of entertainments, with reproductions of playbills and the like. The illustrations, mostly attributed to McDougall, show views of Arctic scenery, as well as humorous depictions of the onboard entertainment the crew enjoyed. This copy also offers an unrecorded ephemeral item, apparently advertising the book, loosely inserted. A particularly well-preserved copy, this is a rare and attractive Arctic item.