Description:

(EXPLORATION OF NEW GUINEA) ERIC MJOBERG
(1882-1938) Zoologist and ethnographer who led the first Swedish scientific expeditions to Australia in the early 1900s, and who later attracted heavy controversy for passing off Aboriginal remains as kangaroo bones in order to smuggle them out of the country. A.L.S., 3pp. 8vo., [n.p., n.d.], to Allan R. Hawley, President of the Aero Club of America. Mjoberg writes to solicit the support of the Aero Club for a planned aerial survey of the interior of New Guinea. In part: "...I am most interested to hear your opinion in regard to my proposed aerial expedition to the unknown, interior parts of New Guinea ... No doubt you will find that my calculations are footed on a sound base. I am also quite convinced that you will agree with me that it is a most interesting part of the world I intend to visit..." Very good. WITH: A second A.L.S., 2pp. 8vo., [n.p., n.d.], also to Hawley. Mjoberg again asks Hawley for support for his expedition. In part: "...It is needless to say that I should be very glad if your Club kindly would endorse my comprehensive undertaking. The American Geographical Soc. and the American Museum of Natural History have both promised me their assistance..." Very good. WITH: A pamphlet, "A proposed aerial expedition for the exploration of the unknown interior of New Guinea", by Eric Mjoberg (Stockholm: Papper Fran Lessebo), 1916, 47pp. 8vo., mentioned in both of the above letters as being given to Hawley by Mjoberg at their first meeting. The publication gives a brief overview of the climate, geology, vegetation, and indigenous population of New Guinea, well illustrated with b/w photographs. Mjoberg also outlines his plan for his expedition, which calls for an aerial survey of the inland areas of the island using three biplanes, and estimates the overall cost for the expedition at $100,000. Mjoberg''s expedition never materialized, and he died in poverty of an unknown illness. The human remains he pilfered were returned to Australia in 2004.

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May 10, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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