The damage from the library is minimal: 3 small circular ownership stamps and two embossed stamps, also small and circular. There is intermittent foxing throughout the book and pages 59 and 339 have loss at the edge. A very attractive copy, with raised band and gilt print on the spine. Elisha Kent Kane was an American explorer, and a medical officer in the United States Navy during the first half of the 19th century. He was a member of two Arctic expeditions to rescue the explorer Sir John Franklin. (Wikipedia) Born: February 28, 1820, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, Elisha Kent Kane was an American explorer, and a medical officer in the United States Navy during the first half of the 19th century. He was a member of two Arctic expeditions to rescue the explorer Sir John Franklin. (Wikipedia) Born February 28, 1820, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; Died February 16, 1857, Havana, Cuba.