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Byrd Returns to Little America
BYRD, Richard E. (1888-1957). American polar explorer and aviator. On his first Antarctic expedition he discovered the North Pole from the air. His second journey was launched during the Great Depression, when funding was especially hard to secure. Byrd recounts the events of this second expedition, from his solo manning of Bolling Weather Station, where he battled the debilitating effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, to his scientific discoveries. He returned with a treasure trove of scientific knowledge. Over 1,000 miles of coastline were mapped, and his scientists discovered tree fossils in mountains only 210 miles from the South Pole, proving that Antarctica had once been a much warmer place. This cover celebrates the “Byrd Antarctic Expedition II, Little America], Antarctica Second Cancellation Mail,” with a stamped official cachet of a penguin handing a piece of mail to another. In addition, there is a fine portrait, close-up face of Byrd at the left, hand signed by Byrd next to his portrait. Below Byrd’s signature, as usual on these covers, someone has written the location as “Little America, 2/2/35”, and there is a pencil address for the “Byrd Antarctic Exp. II, Washington, D.C.” Affixed is a U.S. 3-cent Byrd Antarctic Expedition II postage stamp cancelled at Little America, JAN 30, 1935. In fine condition.........$775.00
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