REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD E. BYRD - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 12/09/1930 - HFSID 52492

RICHARD E. BYRD
Byrd signed this typed letter "Dick" on a train to Saginaw, Michigan in 1930 to James E. Pond on Byrd Arctic Expedition letterhead.
Typed letter signed "RE Byrd". 1 page, 8¼x7¼, on Byrd Antarctic Expedition letterhead. "On Train/En route Saginaw, Michigan", Dec. 9, 1930. Addressed to Mr. James B. Pond, New York City. In full: "Dear Bim: The date of my appearance in Washington for the National Geographic Society - March 27th - is agreeable to the Smithsonian Institution for presentation of the Langley Medal. Please make a noteof [sic] this on the schedule. Presentation will probably be in the morning, although details will follow later. I can't give you anything definite yet about continu-ing lecturing after April first. It all depends on how I continue to hold up under this terrific strain. Cheerio, R. E. Byrd/L". Postscrpited: "P. S. - I am glad to hear that you liked 'Little America'." Byrd (1888-1957, born in Winchester, Virginia) made the first of his four expeditions to Antarctica between 1928 and 1930, during which time he established the "Little America" base and became the first man to fly over both the North and South Poles. Subsequent expeditions were made between 1933 and 1935 and between 1939 and 1941. Byrd detailed his adventures in books and on the lecture circuit following his returns to the U.S. Proceeds from his books and talks were used to finance additional expeditions, which continued through 1956. Byrd, who discovered Marie Byrd Land and the Edsel Ford Mountains, was given the honorary title, "Mayor of Antarctica". Lightly toned and creased. Letter was neatly torn from a larger sheet at botton edge. Random ink stains. Paper clip impression, torn hole and paper loss in upper left corner. Folded once and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.