ALONE, SIGNED BY ADMIRAL BYRD

BYRD, Richard E. Alone. Decorations by Richard E. Harrison. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1938. Octavo, original dark blue cloth, original dust jacket. $750.

First trade edition of the pioneering aviator and explorer's fascinating account of his second expedition to Antarctica, signed by Byrd on a preliminary blank leaf.

Here Byrd chronicles his second expedition to Antarctica, undertaken in October 1933 with a team of 56 men. "His goals were additional geographical exploration and the study of meteorological conditions in winter. When sufficient supplies were not stockpiled before the onset of winter, he decided to remain at the advance base alone to conduct the meteorological observations." That winter Byrd nearly perished from "carbon monoxide poisoning leaking from the stovepipe, but was rescued by members of a meteorite observation team who set out when Byrd's messages became erratic and confused after five months in isolation… The ordeal had a lasting effect on Byrd. His book Alone is a record of his experience" (ANB). Issued the same year as a signed limited edition of only 225 copies.

Book fine; light edge-wear mainly to spine head, faint toning to spine, minor early tape reinforcement to verso of extremely good dust jacket.