Sir Hubert Wilkins: Enigma of Exploration.

GRIERSON, John.

$600.00

Item Number: 111212

London: Robert Hale Limited, 1960.

First edition of John Grierson’s biography of fellow Arctic pioneer Sir Hubert Wilkins. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with photographs and maps. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “to my distinguished Namesake from John Grierson 5.10.60.” From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fosset was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Australian polar explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins' most publicized feat was his unsuccessful attempt to navigate the submarine Nautilus under the North Pole in 1931. In the present volume, English aviator John Grierson offers a detailed record of the heroic pioneer's early life, various expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, and the harrowing tale of his legendary submarine mission beneath the North Pole.