[Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Canadian Arctic explorer, regarded by Roald Amundsen as 'the greatest humbug alive'.] Typed Letter Signed ('V. Stefansson') to English author Clifford Bax; regarding plans for a meeting in New York.

Author: 
Vilhjalmur Stefansson [Vilhjálmur Stefánsson] (1879-1962), Canadian Arctic explorer of Icelandic extraction, ethnologist and archaeologist [Clifford Bax (1886-1962), English author; the Harvard Club]
Publication details: 
On his letterhead, 67 Moreton Street, New York. 25 March, 1935.
£120.00
SKU: 20875

Stefansson was involved in two disasters: the loss of the Karluk during the Canadian Arctic Expedition 1913–1916 to explore the regions west of Parry Archipelago for the Government of Canada, which he led; and the Wrangel Island fiasco, 1921. 1p., 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He writes to Bax 'c/o Hill & Peters'. The letter begins: 'Just as I am starting on a lecture tour, a letter comes from Marjorie Humphreys saying you are about to arrive and asking that I do something for you. I would like that, both for her sake and to have the chance of meeting you and learning at first hand about conditions in Britain.' He will attempt to get in touch with Bax on his return the following week. In the meantime he is writing to the Harvard Club, 'asking them to make you a visiting member for their maximum period, which is two weeks from the day when you call for your card'. He ends with contact details. An autograph note at the foot of the letter reads: 'The card entitles you to get a room in the Club, should you prefer it to a hotel.' The letter is accompanied by a manuscript biography, written during Stefansson's lifetime in a calligraphic hand on a separate leaf.