William Blighs A Voyage to the South Sea, Undertaken by Command of His Majesty, for the Purpose of Conveying the Bread-Fruit Tree to the West Indies, in His Majestys Ship The Bounty, Commanded by Lieutenant William Bligh. sold for $19,200. It was published in London by George Nicol in 1792. This monumental offering was the scarce first edition of Blighs official record of the Bountys voyage to the Pacific and the infamous mutiny on his vessel, and the voyage of the crew, set adrift in an open boat. The book was the top lot in a 378-lot sale held April 18 by Potter & Potter. Prices reported include a 20 percent buyers premium. The speciality auction was coined the Celestial And Terrestrial Exploration sale. Later in the sale, William Blighs A Narrative of the Mutiny, on Board His Majestys Ship Bounty; and the Subsequent Voyage of Part of the Crew, in the Ships Boat, From Tofoa, one of the Friendly Islands realized $18,000. It was published in London by George Nicol in 1790. This rare first edition was of Blighs personal account of the infamous mutiny on the H. M. S. Bounty, as well as his personal recollection of the loyal crews voyage to safety in the bountys open launch. Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922), Louis Bernacchi (1876-1942), and Robert F. Scotts (1868-1912), et al. wrote The South Polar Times, which sold for $15,600. This first edition, three volume set was published in London by Smith, Elder & Co. from 1907 to 1914. It was illustrated with chromolithographic and black-and-white plates by Edward Wilson and others of the expedition, photographs by Herbert Ponting, and caricatures and silhouettes of expedition members. A signed menu from a dinner honoring Captain Roland Amundsen (1872-1928) served up $14,400. It was signed by Ernest Shackleton, Robert Peary (1856-1920) and Roland Amundsen and illustrated with an original watercolor image of a ship outside an ice floe at the upper right corner. The dinner was held at the Union Club on Jan. 15, 1913. The menu was printed in gilt lettering, mounted, matted and framed under plexiglass, with framed presentation. Charles Richard Welds (1813-69) The Search for Sir John Franklin. A Lecture Delivered at The Russell Institution. January 15, 1851 scored $6,000. It was published in London by Richard Bentley in 1851. This rare first edition featured the ownership signature of Canadian Hudsons Bay Company officer, Roderick Finlayson. This work was written by Sir John Franklins son-in-law, who helped plan Franklins ill-fated expedition. This sale succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. The Bligh first editions brought more than any other copies have previously brought at auction.The menu signed by Shackleton, Amundsen, and Peary caused a real dog fight from motivated bidders, and the winner got a truly wonderful item.This auction has proven once again that exploration books and collectibles are stillhotly pursued by collectors the world over, according to Chad Reingold, director of Fine Books & Manuscripts. For more information, email Chad Reingold at chad@potterauctions.com.