T1401

Antarctic Explorers

Nathaniel Palmer & Richard E. Byrd

Collins Cover Announcement 

Antarctic Explorers 

RICHARD E. BYRD

This most famous explorer of Antarctica is featured in a portrait cachet -- center of the cover -- that is reminiscent of my FDC (Item #G1101 at $8.00) for Arctic explorer Robert E. Peary. Admiral Byrd is shown in his leather flying helmet complete with winter flight goggles. His jacket with fur collar sets the tone of the portrait, but it is the fine hand painting of the facial features that "make" this cover. The portrait is flanked by two of the Antarctic explorer stamps -- Nathaniel Palmer and Richard E. Byrd. Both are canceled with Washington, D.C. bullseye.

Navy Commander Byrd established his base camp of Little America at the Bay of Whales in 1928. In 1929, he flew over the South Pole. The first American to see the continent of Antarctica was Connecticut sailing master Nathaniel Palmer. He discovered Orleans Strait on November 18, 1820.

If you have the Robert Peary cover, this one is its companion. If you lack the Peary, I suggest picking up both now as together they honor America's cold weather explorers who quested for the poles at the top and at the bottom of our world. Item #T1401 - $7.75.