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Ballooning in the Arctic. Remarkable group of

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:125.00 USD Estimated At:250.00 - 350.00 USD
Ballooning in the Arctic. Remarkable group of
Ballooning in the Arctic. Remarkable group of items relating to use of "steering balloons" - forerunner of the dirigible - in early Arctic exploration. 1) A.L.S. of noted British balloonist Henry Reece, who, knowing of pending U.S. Arctic expeditions, invited Edwards Pierrepont, the American Ambassador to England to attend his lectures. Piccadilly, Mar. 12, 1877, 7 1/4 x 9, 1 p. Headed in Reece's hand, "The Polar Expedition." "As the American Government have under consideration the question of sending out another Expedition to the North Pole, might I solicit the favor of the permission to submit to you the drawings of employing Balloons for that purpose. The Polar Regions could by this method be easily and safely surveyed. I am about to read a paper in the large Vestry Hall of St. James on the subject...." Docketed by Pierrepont. 2) Accompanying handbill "On the Difficulties of Arctic Exploration and the means of surmounting them by The Employment of Balloons. A Lecture...Experiments showing...the safe return of the Aeronauts to the Exploring Vessels will be shown...." 7 x 9. Reece has penned at bottom, "The honor of the Honble. Mr. Pierrepont's attendance is particularly requested." 3) A.L.S. of Reece, May 11, 1877, also to Pierrepont, 2 pp. "...I trust to have the honor of reserving 4 Seats for the attendance of yourself and the Scientific Officers attached to the Embassy...." Very fine. Rare and interesting, the stuff of Tom Swift novels.