REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 01/12/1932 - HFSID 87365

RICHARD E. BYRD
The famed polar explorer signs a letter to "Bim", discussing future lectures
Typed letter signed: "Dick", in black ink, 1 page, 8½x11. Boston, Massachusetts. January 12, 1932. In full: "My dear Bim: I am desperately tied up now so please let's delay answering some of your questions until I see you in New York. Two or three letters have been written about what I am to do in New York on the 16th and I will answer your letter about meeting you as soon as possible. Whatever I do, I would like to go the lecture with you. But more later. [Crossed out: You seem to have gotten a number of lectures already around New York. I didn't realize that.] It isn't absolutely necessary for me to be in New York so if I am going to lecture I had better do so where the profit is the best. I am trying to look at all these things from your point of view. It is really up to me for your sake, as well, as my own, not so sacrifice profit. When I see you I will discuss with you the matter of putting your fellow on a net commission. Sincerely yours". 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. JAMES B. POND ("Bim"), who had become the nation's premier lecture agent, had established his agency in New York in 1879. In addition to Byrd, his notable clients included Mark Twain, P.T. Barnum, Thomas Nast, James Whitcomb Riley, Henry Stanley and Booker T. Washington. Normal mailing folds. Hole in top left corner. Ink stamp. Fine condition.