Print, Steel Engraving on Paper, Uncolored, L.A. ANDRÉE

Uncolored portrait of Swedish engineer, aeronaut, and Arctic Explorer, Salomon August Andrée (18 October 1854 - October 1897). Shows him from the chest upwards on a plain background. Engraving is based on a photograph. Andree died while leading an attempt to reach the geographic North Pole by the hydrogen balloon, Ornen (Eagle). Taking off from Spitsbergen on July 11, 1897, he was accompanied by Knut Frænkel and photographer Nils Strindberg (a second cousin of playwright August Strindberg). The balloon remained aloft for 65 hours. Within ten hours of lift-off, they were caught by powerful winds and heavy rain creating ice on the balloon. Forced down on the ice, the trio walked to White Island, where they died. Their final camp, complete with their diaries, letters, and undeveloped photographs, was discovered by the crew of a sealer searching for fresh water in 1930. "Nach einer Photographie. Stich u. Druch v. Thu. A. Wegersen Leipzig Verlag der Dúrr'schen Buchhandlung Leipzig. 1897 no. 34"