GEORGE (Prince, 1869-1957, 2nd son of George I of Greece & Admiral in the Greek Navy)

Autograph Letter Signed, in Danish with transcription and translation, to Captain Ejnar MIKKELSEN, (1880-1971, Danish Arctic Explorer), begging him "to accept my warmest thanks for your exceedingly interesting book which Lieutenant Laub presented to me last night. I am very grateful for the book as I have followed with the greatest admiration your daring and unique voyage along the East Coast of Greenland", 1 side 8vo., black edged, The Yellow Mansion, Copenhagen, 19th February a few tiny defects in blank edges

The book was 'Tre Aar paa Grønlands Østkyst' (1914). The expedition in the wooden 'Alabama' set off in 1909 to map the northeast coast of Greenland and to bring back the scientific records of two lost explorers, in which Mikkelsen and his engineer, the Icelandic Iver Iversen were successful. When they returned to base, they found the crew gone, picked up by a Norwegian whaler. The crew had, however, built a cottage, which still survives, out of salvaged timber. Here Mikkelsen and Iversen spent spent two winters in the direst straits, until they were rescued by a whaler. Lieutenant Laub (Vilhelm, 1887-1945) was second in command and led a party to the west side of Dronning Louise Land.
Prince George was largely brought up by his uncle Prince Valdemar in the Danish Navy. He saved Nicholas II from assassination on a visit to Japan, and was closely involved in the 1896 Olympics and the process to reunite Crete with Greece. Here he is still in mourning for his father, whose financial affairs in Denmark he returned to settle.

Item Date:  1914

Stock No:  54711      £150

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