On the Eve of His Departure for the Antarctic, Commander Byrd Explains Why He Attempts the Exploration of the Frozen Continent by Air and Discusses Problems He Must Solve

Byrd, Richard E., Commander

New York: New York Times Company and the St. Louis Post-Despatch, 1928. Sm4to — 25.2cm. Limited edition of an unknown number, unnumbered pages; two-tone illustrations, pictorial end-papers; original stiff white wrappers printed in black and olive, deckled fore-edges; contains two woodcut illustrations – one with color, illustrated end-papers. A fine copy of a lovely production in its original tan paper box also in fine condition. Rare with its original box and being unnumbered and unsigned. Spence 225.

This most unique publication was a complementary issue for supporters of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. It is divided into two parts. Part 1 is listed above and part 2 is titled “Byrd’s Base Ship and His Antarctic Village” by Russell Owen.

Russell Owen was a reporter for the New York Times and author who joined the First Byrd Antarctic Expedition of 1928–1930. He submitted graphic radio dispatches that were printed in several newspapers and won the annual Pulitzer Prize for Reporting in 1930 citing the 1929 portion of that work. He also appeared in the documentary film With Byrd at the South Pole (Paramount, 1930). His book about the expedition was published in 1934, entitled South of the Sun.

$175.00 -