Raynors HCA 2020-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2020
BYRD, Richard E. (1888-1957) American Admiral, polar explorer and aviator; author. Awarded Congressional Medal of Honor. Group of FOUR Typed Letters Signed "R.E Byrd" all written to Mr. F.A. Merrick, Westinghouse, Pittsburgh, August 4, 1933, August 16, 1933, October 4, 1933, and October 9, 1933 which is on "Byrd Antarctic Expedition II" letterhead.. All VG. Byrd is asking Merrick for additional assistance in supplying equipment and funds for his expedition. On his second expedition in 1934, Byrd spent five winter months alone operating a meteorological station, Advance Base, from which he narrowly escaped with his life after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning from a poorly ventilated stove. Unusual radio transmissions from Byrd finally began to alarm the men at the base camp, who then attempted to go to Advance Base. The first two trips were failures due to darkness, snow, and mechanical troubles. Finally, Thomas Poulter, E.J. Demas, and Amory Waite arrived at Advance Base, where they found Byrd in poor physical health. The men remained at Advance Base until October 12 when an airplane from the base camp picked up Dr. Poulter and Byrd. The rest of the men returned to base camp with the tractor.[2] This expedition is described by Byrd in his autobiography Alone. It is also commemorated in a U.S. postage stamp issued at the time, and a considerable amount of mail using it was sent from Byrd's base at Little America.
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