?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
(ANTARCTICA.) Archive of Lieutenant Paul R. Streich's experience as a naval aviator on Operation Deepfreeze. 206 items in one box (1.2 linear feet); condition generally strong. Vp, 1949-71, bulk 1955-57
Paul Robert Streich (1928-1999) of Kansas City was a naval aviator best known for his important role in the initial Operation Deepfreeze from 1955 to 1957. It marked the first major American expedition to the frozen continent in seven years, and included the first American trip to the South Pole, establishing the first permanent base there. While there, Streich made the continent's first extended night-time flight, and also survived a crash and six-day march across the ice. Streich's three flight logs document every official flight he took from his first training flight in 1949 to his final run in 1971. His first Antarctic flight was on 20 December 1955 from McMurdo Sound. Other flights were to or from "LA" (Little America) or "TP" (Trail Party), with one flight listed to "Crevasse." The log notes a 6-day trip staring on 3 February 1956 to "Hippogator"--the mountain where he and his crew crashed a hundred miles from base. The last polar flight was apparently in January 1957. Streich's scrapbook, devoted almost entirely to Antarctica and related preparations, covers the 1955-1957 period. The newspaper clippings are interesting enough, but the volume also contains 4 photographs of Streich, an issue of the Operation Deepfreeze newsletter, 7 telegrams to his wife in Maryland regarding his crash and rescue mission, and a 7 February 1956 condolence letter from a vice admiral to Mrs. Streich. Streich was rescued two days later. The collection also includes an issue of Life Magazine featuring pictures of Streich and his rescued crew, 2 April 1956 Streich's membership cards in the Ancient Order of the Deep (for crossing the Equator) and Domain of the Penguin (for crossing the Antarctic Circle), both with stamped signatures of Admiral Richard E. Byrd, 1955 Streich's naval aviator certificates and case, 1950 and 1957 Small framed photograph of a bearded Streich, apparently in Antarctica Album of 196 photographic slides taken by Streich in Antarctica and Streich's personal copy of the book Operation Deepfreeze by the expedition's commander, Rear Admiral George Dufek, 1957. Streich later rose to the rank of commander, and became the national director of the Navy League.
