Interesting lot of items from the estate of Norman Vaughan (1905–2005), who was the last surviving member of Richard Byrd’s 1928–1930 Antarctic expedition. Vaughn’s contribution as chief dog driver, was publicly recognized when Byrd named a mountain in his honor. Throughout the remainder of his life, Vaughan remained active as a dog driver (participating in the 1932 Olympics and thirteen Iditarod events) and mountain climber, and detailed his exploits in a number of books. The present lot includes the following: Vaughan’s large personal file, 1943, including dozens of handwritten and typed pages and his manuscript diary describing a search-and-rescue mission at Lake O’Connor; two Letters of Commendation signed by Air Corps Colonel L. G. Fritz, 1943 and 1944, for Vaughan’s participation in search-and-rescue missions (including, evidently, the one noted above); ten unsigned 10 x 8 photos of plane wreckage, evidently from one of Vaughan’s rescue missions, each rubber-stamped “confidential” on the reverse; 1941 War Department Basic Field Manual titled “Operations in Snow and Extreme Cold,” bearing Vaughan’s ownership signature on the title page; a 1951 TLS from Byrd, signed “Dick,” in which Byrd notes, “there are very few people I would rather talk to than you” and “The Air Force is lucky to get you back on duty again”; an unsigned 1930 copy of National Geographic (no cover) that describes Byrd’s Antarctic expedition and includes photos of Vaughan; and Vaughan’s clipped Associated Press obituary. In very good to fine condition, with expected light handling wear to items. R&R COA.
