Details
ROALD AMUNDSEN (1872-1928)
A Norwegian silver (830/1000) spoon, [?1925], commemorating Amundsen's aeroplane flight to 87o 44' North. Provenance: Don Pedro Christophersen (by descent). An interesting group of material from the estate of his sponsor Don Pedro Christophersen.
[With:]
R.AMUNDSEN. Four autograph letters signed to Don Pedro Christophersen, on 'Amundsen-Ellsworth Polar Flights' headed paper, Oslo 18 August 1927, Baardrud 8 November 1927, [n.p.] 22 November 1927, [n.p.] 3 February 1928 the first describing the success of his lecture tour of Japan, which included a lecture given to the Emperor and his family, the overwhelming interest of the young in his expeditions, and his succesfully negotiated refusal of Japan's highest order. He then goes on to comment on his return trip via the Trans-Siberian railway, and announcing his intention to lecture in America in the following October, 4 pages, 8vo; the second regretting that the cancellation of his American lecture tour prevented him visiting either Don Pedro and his family in Argentina, or F. Herman Gade in Rio. He goes on to comment that 'I am now living here quietly and alone in the country in this silent house without any help from servants. It is lucky that I am used to domestic work from my expeditions'. He ends by commenting on the news of the divorce of mutual friends. 4 pages, 8vo; the third a formal letter wishing Don Pedro and his family a happy Chritsmas and New Year. 2 pages, with integral blank, 4to; the fourth expressing his sadness at the news of Don Pedro's ill-health, but thanking him for 'the rough draft which will help get things explained', commenting on how much of a social outcast he has become and on his unwillingness to take the necessary steps to redeem himelf. He then writes about the two Eskimo girls that he adopted: 'Unfortunately when I was declared bankrupt I had to be separated from them... My friend Hilh. Wilhelmsen... gave them free passage home. That was in the winter of 1924. They are now back in the United States and go to school there.' 4 pages, 4to.
[And:]
F. Herman GADE, R.AMUNDSEN and others. A postcard signed, oslo 28 May 1928, the message in the hand of Gade, noting that the undersigned group are gathered in the Victoria Hotel to celebrate Don Pedro's birthday, and wishing him mant happy returns, with autograph signatures of Gade, Amundsen, Berta [?Gade], Alise King Gade, Carmen [?Christophersen], and Alice King Gade together with a portrait photograph of Amundsen and two greetings telegrams from Amundsen to Don Pedro.
Amundsen set off from Spitzbergen, on 2 May 1925, with Lincoln Ellswor th and four companions in two aircraft. They were forced down onto the pack ice and one of the aircraft was irreparably damaged. After three we eks they were able to get the remaining aircraft into the air and retu rned on the 15 June 1925 to great acclaim. (9)
A Norwegian silver (830/1000) spoon, [?1925], commemorating Amundsen's aeroplane flight to 87o 44' North. Provenance: Don Pedro Christophersen (by descent). An interesting group of material from the estate of his sponsor Don Pedro Christophersen.
[With:]
R.AMUNDSEN. Four autograph letters signed to Don Pedro Christophersen, on 'Amundsen-Ellsworth Polar Flights' headed paper, Oslo 18 August 1927, Baardrud 8 November 1927, [n.p.] 22 November 1927, [n.p.] 3 February 1928 the first describing the success of his lecture tour of Japan, which included a lecture given to the Emperor and his family, the overwhelming interest of the young in his expeditions, and his succesfully negotiated refusal of Japan's highest order. He then goes on to comment on his return trip via the Trans-Siberian railway, and announcing his intention to lecture in America in the following October, 4 pages, 8vo; the second regretting that the cancellation of his American lecture tour prevented him visiting either Don Pedro and his family in Argentina, or F. Herman Gade in Rio. He goes on to comment that 'I am now living here quietly and alone in the country in this silent house without any help from servants. It is lucky that I am used to domestic work from my expeditions'. He ends by commenting on the news of the divorce of mutual friends. 4 pages, 8vo; the third a formal letter wishing Don Pedro and his family a happy Chritsmas and New Year. 2 pages, with integral blank, 4to; the fourth expressing his sadness at the news of Don Pedro's ill-health, but thanking him for 'the rough draft which will help get things explained', commenting on how much of a social outcast he has become and on his unwillingness to take the necessary steps to redeem himelf. He then writes about the two Eskimo girls that he adopted: 'Unfortunately when I was declared bankrupt I had to be separated from them... My friend Hilh. Wilhelmsen... gave them free passage home. That was in the winter of 1924. They are now back in the United States and go to school there.' 4 pages, 4to.
[And:]
F. Herman GADE, R.AMUNDSEN and others. A postcard signed, oslo 28 May 1928, the message in the hand of Gade, noting that the undersigned group are gathered in the Victoria Hotel to celebrate Don Pedro's birthday, and wishing him mant happy returns, with autograph signatures of Gade, Amundsen, Berta [?Gade], Alise King Gade, Carmen [?Christophersen], and Alice King Gade together with a portrait photograph of Amundsen and two greetings telegrams from Amundsen to Don Pedro.
Amundsen set off from Spitzbergen, on 2 May 1925, with Lincoln Ellswor th and four companions in two aircraft. They were forced down onto the pack ice and one of the aircraft was irreparably damaged. After three we eks they were able to get the remaining aircraft into the air and retu rned on the 15 June 1925 to great acclaim. (9)