Three TLSs, signed “REB” and “R. E. Byrd,” dated between 1933 and 1954 respectively. The earliest, September 23, 1933, Brimmer Street letterhead, addressed to his old classmate at the University of Virginia, Roy D. Bayly, in part: “Two years ago I began preparing to go back to the South Polar regions…We are sailing in a few days and I still lack the funds necessary to pay for supplies vital for the safety of my men…You helped make my last expedition possible for which you have my enduring gratitude and I hope that you have felt that your backing of our undertaking was worth while…Would you this time be willing to supply me with some Eskimo Parkas (or coats) which would, of course, help insure the safety of some of my crew. The cost of these parkas are $75.00 each. If you are not able to do this, could you supply a sleeping bag at $50.00, or a pair of Eskimo boots at a cost of $10.00. If this is not practicable, I would indeed be grateful for anything you could give. Our expedition has no funds with which to purchase these necessary supplies…Won’t you help me again as you did before?” In the lower left, Bayly has written, “Byrd was a classmate of mine at Univ of Virginia and sat next to me in an English Litt class. I sent him $100.00 RDB.” The second letter, January 25, 1944, United State Fleet letterhead, sent to Hazel McKercher, in part: “I am just back from the Pacific. I got hurt there—and am now convalescing at home for a few days. It just occurred to me that the best relic I have is one of those small American flags I took everywhere with me. At least you can certify there is no fake about it. You certainly deserve the best, so I am sending you one of them.” At the bottom, Byrd writes in a brief postscript, “Did I give you a flag? Don’t think I did.” The last letter, December 1954, Byrd Polar Expeditions letterhead, is also addressed to McKercher, with Byrd relaying fond Christmas wishes and concluding with a brief handwritten postscript, which he signs with his initials: “We will all be thinking of you, REB.” In overall very good to fine condition. McKercher served as Byrd’s private secretary. Mount McKercher, a mountain in Antarctica, was discovered by Byrd in 1934 and named for Miss McKercher.
