RICHARD E. BYRD
The famed polar explorer writes a $1,000 check to Charles J. V. Murphy, who had written a flattering account of his exploits.
Check signed: "R E Byrd", in black ink ink, 6½x2¾. Check no. 76 drawn on the account of R. E. Byrd at the Farmers & Merchants National Bank & Trust Co., payable to Charles J.V. Murphy for $1,000. November 27, 1931. On May 9, 1926, RICHARD EVELYN BYRD (1888-1957) and Floyd Bennett became the first to fly over the North Pole. Both were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Scholars have raised questions about whether or not Byrd actually reached the North Pole but all have agreed Byrd thought he had reached the North Pole. In 1929, Byrd established the "Little America" Antarctica base and flew (indisputably) over the South Pole. He was promoted to Rear Admiral upon his return in 1930. On his Antarctic expeditions in the 1930s, Byrd discovered Marie Byrd Land and the Edsel Ford Mountains. Still exploring in his late 60s, he commanded the Operation High Jump (1946-1947) and Operation Deep Freeze (1955-1956) operations. He was the brother of powerful US Senator Harry F. Byrd of Virginia. Journalist and freelance writer Charles J. V. Murphy (1904-1983) had written Struggle! The Life and Exploits of Commander Richard E. Byrd in 1928. He later wrote biographies of Winston Churchill (1945) and of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (1979). Folds. Ink stamps on front and verso. Cancellation holes. Otherwise, fine condition.