REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 40691

RICHARD E. BYRD
9x7 image of the explorer signing "The Book of Gold" at the Aero-Club of France, surrounded by a crowd of dignitaries
Photograph signed: "R E Byrd". B/w, 9x7. Shown in dress uniform, seated at a large table while signing the "Book of Gold" of the Aero-Club of France. On May 9, 1926, Richard E. Byrd (1888-1957) and Floyd Bennett claimed the first flight over the North Pole. Byrd's claim to have reached the North Pole has since been challenged, but he and Bennett were honored with a New York ticker tape parade and with Congressional Medals of Honor. After the flight, Byrd was promoted to Commander and there was an outpouring of public support for his proposed expeditions to Antarctica. The first, funded by the National Geographic Society as well as private donations, took place from 1928-1930; the second in 1933-1935. In 1929, during his first expedition, Byrd established the "Little America" Antarctic base. On November 28-29, 1929, he and three others crossed the South Pole in a 1,600-mile airplane flight. On Byrd's second Antarctic expedition, he discovered Marie Byrd Land and the Edsel Ford Mountains. The polar explorer made three additional Antarctic expeditions through 1956. His South Pole achievements are undisputed. Byrd, who held the Navy grade of Rear Admiral was appointed Officer in Charge of Antarctic Programs by President Eisenhower in 1953. Richard Byrd's brother was powerful Virginia Governor and Senator Harry F. Byrd. Lightly toned. Adhesive residue at verso. Ink stamp at verso (no show-through). Paper caption affixed at verso. Top left corner creased. Otherwise, fine condition.