1366788 FAMOUS EXPLORERS AUTOGRAPH LOT. RE Byrd, V. Stefansson, R. N. Peary.
FAMOUS EXPLORERS AUTOGRAPH LOT
FAMOUS EXPLORERS AUTOGRAPH LOT
FAMOUS EXPLORERS AUTOGRAPH LOT

FAMOUS EXPLORERS AUTOGRAPH LOT

1910, 1945-1946. Group of signed letters and postcards from famous explorers. The lot includes the following:

Richard Evelyn Byrd (1888-1957) American naval officer and explorer. One-page typed letter signed on "Navy Department" letterhead. Letter dated 10/31/1946.

Admiral R.N. Peary (1856-1920) American explorer and officer in the United States Navy who made several expeditions to the Arctic in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One-page typed letter discussing receipt of gifted hunting hatchet. Letter dated 7/23/1910.

Vilhjalmur Stefansson (1879-1962) Arctic explorer and ethnologist. Two autographs on index cards; dated 9/11/1945. KW Consignment.

1366788

Special Collections

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NOTES

Provenance: Second Story Books is delighted to present this original, hand-signed item from the Stephen May Autograph Collection. As a youth in the 1940's, Stephen May (1931-2016) collected autographs of famous people, identifying individuals through Who's Who publications and contacting them with a thoughtful, lengthy, well-researched letter introducing himself, acknowledging the individuals' accomplishments, asking one or two pertinent questions and, finally, requesting that they return a signature. Some responded simply with an autograph on a provided 3x5 card while others included bonus material with the signature in the form of a poem, letter, friendly greeting, or words of advice for the teenage boy. Steve's collecting hobby became known among his family and wider circle of friends in the city of Rochester, NY, where his father, Arthur J. May, taught European history at the University of Rochester, and his mother, Hilda Jones May, was active in the community. Eventually, more people helped Steve in his pursuit, which accounts for the signatures with dates before or after the mid-40's and without the prompting of a letter from him. A few signatures are from the 19th century. The collection is a broad representation of the people and forces that shaped our world, and the culture, accomplishments, and innovations of the first half the 20th century. While the majority of the signatures in this collection have not been authenticated by a third-party service, all items in this collection have been carefully examined by Second Story Books Owner/President, Allan Stypeck, and we are happy to provide a Second Story Books letter of authenticity. Mr. Stypeck is Senior Member of the American Society of Appraisers and has conducted over 3,000 accredited appraisals since 1974 and has served in an official capacity for the Chicago Cubs, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and the Naismith Basketball Foundation. Thank you!