Expedition Artifact. Byrd Antarctic Expedition 1928-1929. Message In A Bottle

RICHARD BYRD

Publication: Owens-Illinois Glass Company, 1928, Toledo

First issue. 14.5 x 5.5 x 3.5 cm [5 5/8" x 2 3/8" x 1 1/4"] small clear glass bottle with a flat back and with a curved front panel. Impressed on the surface of the glass is an image of an aircraft of that day and time along with a title and date Byrd Antarctic Expedition, 1928-1929. 500 of these bottles were made for the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition of 1928 -1929 by Owens-Illinois Glass Company of Toledo, Ohio. They were intended to help measure ocean current strength and direction by writing a note giving the point of release and sealing the information in the bottle. After the bottle was found, the location was recorded and its drift could be determined. By the very nature of the experiment very few of the bottles were recovered and this example shows virtually no wear at all and perhaps was never used for the experiment. This is the only example of the experiment we have ever encountered for sale. A wonderful artifact that was associated with an important exploration venture. "In 1928, Byrd began his first expedition to the Antarctic involving two ships and three airplanes. A base camp named "Little America" was constructed on the Ross Ice Shelf, and scientific expeditions by snowshoe, dog sled, snowmobile, and airplane began. Photographic expeditions and geological surveys were undertaken, and constant radio communications were maintained with the outside world. On November 28, 1929, the first flight to the South Pole and back was launched. Byrd, along with pilot Bernt Balchen, co-pilot/radioman Harold June, and photographer Ashley McKinley, flew to the South Pole and back in 18 hours, 41 minutes. They had difficulty gaining enough altitude, and they had to dump empty gas tanks, as well as their emergency supplies, to achieve the altitude of the Polar Plateau, but they were ultimately successful. As a result of his achievement, Byrd was promoted to the rank of rear admiral by a special act of Congress on December 21, 1929. As he was only 41 years old at the time, this promotion made Byrd the youngest admiral in the history of the United States Navy." Fine, unused condition.

Inventory Number: 44603Sold -- Contact us