Fine Books & Manuscripts

[BYRD, Richard Evelyn (1888–1957)]. –– CURTIS, Leland (American, 1897–1989). USS Bear in Neny Fjord, Antarctica. 1957. Oil on canvas. Signed, inscribed and dated “©Leland Curtis Antarctica 1939–40 1957” (lower right), with artist’s stamp and title on the stretcher. Framed, 32 x 42”. Provenance: sold Christie’s London, 24 September 2003, lot 375). In 1939 Byrd led a United States government funded and organized Antarctic expedition to Little America to examine more closely areas in the Pacific sector of Antarctica and the establishment of permanent bases on the continent. Curtis was the official artist of these United States Antarctic Expeditions of 1939 to 1940, and 1955 to 1957.