[ Autograph ] Walter Wellman 1858-1934 American explorer who attempted the first balloon transits of the North Pole and Atlantic Ocean; he failed but set new distance records in the process. A.L.S. with initiated postscript on official stationery of "The Walter Wellman North Polar Expedition", 2pp. 4to., Tronson, Norway, [ n.d.. Wellman dramatically writes a reporter immediately prior to departingon an expedition, in part: '...In an hour we sail... The guns are tiring a salute for us, and in a short time the engines will be in motion. My only regret is for my family. A venture like this is worth trying once in a lifetime if only to test one's self and one's friends- weed friends from riff-raff Of you I feel certain as always, and my heart goes out to you...' This unique letter appears to have been written one hour prior to Wellman's last polar expedition on Aug. 15, 1909 This attempt, like all previous attempts to reach the Pole by balloon, would fail. Very good.