|
Sale 121
May 26-27 Collectibles Auction
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 108 |
 |
Explorers: 20 Signed Pieces by Edmund Hillary, John Hunt, a Rare Otto Nordensdkjöld ALS, Bernard R. Hubbard, Thor Heyerdahl and more. Wonderful collection of historic explorers. 1.) Edmund Hillary (1919-2008); a variety of eight pieces signed by the famed mountaineer, the first to reach the peak of Mt. Everest along with guide, Tenzing Norgay. The best is a twice signed sheet of stationery with House of Lords embossed logo in red where John Hunt has inscribed and signed his name quite boldly with notation Everest, 1953 and Edmund Hillary has signed boldly just below at a later date. John Hunt was the leader of the 1953 British Expedition to Mt. Everest assembling three teams to tackle the challenge with Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing succeeding. (Hunt himself climbing 28,000 feet to leave equipment for one of the summit teams). There are two covers signed by Hillary, two pages from a 1953 issue of LIFE Magazine reporting the achievement as well as a two reproductions of the NY Times front page from June 2, 1953 and a typed letter signed to a fan. 2.) Otto Nordenskjöld (1869-1928), Swedish geographer and explorer who traveled, mapped and explored Alaska, Greenland and significantly Antarctica. Rare ALS on personal stationery dated "2 Feb 1914". Letter is written in German to a Frau H. B. Frydmann which is not translated. 7 x 10½" folded, two sided, and save for very minor toning, letter is fine condition. 3.) Thor Heyerdahl was not so much an explorer by definition, but certainly an anthropological explorer trying to determine how ancient man could have navigated the seas in reed boats and how far. Inscribed and signed 4 x 5½" color postcard with handwritten notation the reed ship is the "Tigris" and dated 1982. Includes airmail envelope card was sent, printed with Heyerdahl's residence address in Italy. 4.) Bernard R. Hubbard (1888-1962) Known as "The Glacier Priest", Hubbard was a Jesuit priest who nonetheless led over thirty expeditions to Alaska and the Arctic and wrote of expeditions in newspapers and subsequently a lecture circuit that proved a financial windfall due to his oratory skills and visual presentations. Signed photo taken in the late 30s in Alaska with dogs that was carefully clipped from a magazine. Photo, 5 x 6" signed "Best Wishes! Bernard R. Hubbard". 5.) Vilhjalmur Steffanson (1879-1962) autograph inscribed and signed on his personal letter head dated 11/22/1929. He was an Icelandic American and early explorer where his journeys and successes are among the marvels of Arctic exploration but not without controversy. 7 x 6" and in excellent condition. 6.) Unfortunately not signed is an "Original Souvenir Programme from the Henry M. Stanley Lecture Tour" from 1890-1891 24 pp. 10 x 7". Henry Stanley, Welsh American, was a former Confederate Soldier then Union Soldier who traveled through Africa in search for the source for the Nile. Certainly not without controversy on his treatment of natives hired for his explorations and his views on women, his lectures and publications were immensely popular. In near fine condition. 7.) Lowell Thomas, famous broadcaster, author and world traveler. Again not by definition an explorer, but his published pieces from all over the world, his filmed documentaries, and his broadcasts brought the world closer to millions of followers. Autographed paper photo 10 x 7¼", a news article and two signed covers all boldly signed and in excellent condition. Estimated Value $600 - UP
View details and enlarged photo
Realized
$720 |
|
Lot 109 |
 |
Very Scarce, Historic Postcards: 11 From North & South Pole Expeditions and 8 Red Cross Related Postcards. 19 scarce and historic postcards the best involving early 20th Century exploration of the North and South Poles. 1.) Four superior photo cards that were "Carried from the US to Little America on the ice breaker S.S. Bear of Oakland". Each are signed by the Captain in blue fountain pen ink, Robert A. J. English, postmarked Little America Jan 30, 1934, Antarctica each having the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II, 3¢ stamp. The balance include two postcards of the British exploration ship "Terra Nova" and color postcards of the Arctic regions.
Cards are 5½ x 3½". Estimated Value $200 - UP
View details and enlarged photo
Realized
$132 |
|
|
|