Explorer Roald Amundsen Signed 1922 North Polar Expedition First Day Cover PSA
Explorer Roald Amundsen Signed 1922 North Polar Expedition First Day Cover PSA
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Title:
Hubert Work & Roald Amundsen Signed 1922 North Polar Expedition First Day Cover – Point Barrow, Alaska – Dual Autograph
Description:
Exceptional 1922 North Polar Expedition commemorative first day cover, signed by both Roald Amundsen, the legendary Norwegian polar explorer, and Hubert Work, then United States Postmaster General. The envelope is addressed to Hubert Work in Washington, D.C., and bears the highly desirable North Polar Expedition overprinted 2¢ and 3¢ Washington Air Mail stamps, each tied by expedition cancellation markings.
Prominently featured is Amundsen's distinctive green ink signature across the upper portion of the cover, accompanied by expedition notations reading:
- Date: July 28, 1922
- Lat.: Point Barrow
- Long.: Alaska
- Temp.: 52°
A bold circular North Air Post cachet with green star further enhances the cover's visual appeal and historical significance. Hubert Work has also signed the cover in black ink at the lower right, while his printed title appears in the address panel:
Hon. Hubert Work
Postmaster General
Washington, D.C.
The reverse remains clean and intact with its original sealed flap.
Included with the cover is the original PSA Letter of Authenticity, confirming the authenticity of the signatures of Hubert Work and Roald Amundsen. The accompanying PSA opinion specifically notes that a purported signature of Warren G. Harding associated with the item was examined and determined not authentic, and therefore is not included in the authentication.
Historical Context:
Roald Amundsen (1872–1928) remains one of history's greatest explorers. He became the first person to successfully reach the South Pole in December 1911, defeating Robert Falcon Scott in one of the most famous races of exploration. During the early 1920s, Amundsen shifted his attention to Arctic aviation, organizing ambitious attempts to pioneer aerial routes over the North Pole.
This cover originates from Amundsen's 1922 North Polar Expedition, an important chapter in the development of polar aviation and Arctic exploration. The expedition utilized specially prepared air mail covers and commemorative postage to publicize and commemorate these groundbreaking efforts, making surviving examples highly sought after by collectors of exploration, aviation, and postal history.
Hubert Work (1860–1942) served as United States Postmaster General from 1922 to 1923 under President Warren G. Harding. His participation on this cover reflects the close cooperation between the U.S. Post Office Department and Amundsen's expedition in promoting experimental Arctic air mail service.
Authentication & Encapsulation:
This cover is accompanied by an original PSA Letter of Authenticity.
- PSA Authentication Number: AS08125
- Authenticated Signatures: Roald Amundsen and Hubert Work
- PSA's examination concluded that a purported Warren G. Harding signature associated with the cover did not pass authentication and is not certified.
- Original PSA Letter of Authenticity included with the item.
- Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer's request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional "Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate" signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.
Closing Appeal:
This remarkable dual-signed North Polar Expedition cover combines the autograph of one of history's greatest explorers with that of the U.S. Postmaster General who helped oversee America's postal system during the dawn of Arctic air mail. Featuring expedition markings from Point Barrow, Alaska, scarce North Polar Expedition stamps, and complete PSA authentication, it represents an outstanding artifact of exploration, aviation, and postal history that would be a centerpiece in any advanced collection.
Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.
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