Byrd Cover... What's It Worth?

I bought this cover from my local dealer today, more as a curiosity than anything else. I assumed that the signature was printed as part of the cachet... until I got home and started looking up this cover, only to find that none of the examples I found with the same cachet had the signature.

I looked at it under magnification, and lo and behold it's not printed. Furthermore, it seems to match examples of Bryd's autograph that I've found online.

So even though the cover itself isn't rare, I assume the autograph adds some value?

I am a bird stamp collector. I don´t think that autograph will add some value to this cover. For use as an thematic collection this cover will be interesting only as a bird cover and Antartica Expedition.

Regards.

An interesting read on the entire subject. Although it doesn't refer to the autograph, Page 2 refers specifically to your example of a cover:

http://www.south-pole.com/p0000143.htm

First, this is a nice cover. Secondly, yes, the signature does add value and I have no reason to believe it is not an authentic signature. The item probably has more value to a signature collector than it would to a stamp collector. I had a friend who was a signature collector and there are several points which he told me to consider when evaluating a signature on a stamp-related item. First, the stamped item must be related (he liked the term "pertinent") to the individual to have a value interest. Secondly, being able to date the signature may increase the value.
This cover certains meets the first consideration since it has the Byrd expedition stamp AND it is the complete sheetlet, not just a single stamp. However, not knowing when the signature was added hurts the value, so to speak.
I, personally, would not be surprised if a signature collector would place a value of $100.00 on it.
Well, I take that back. Looking at http://www.historyforsale.com/html/search.asp it appears that Admiral Byrd's signature is considered valuable. There is a commemorative envelope signed by Byrd for sale for $2999.00! I would have THAT one evaluated by a signature specialist.
Regardless, I think yours does have significant value.

Wow that's a great piece of history of him and his expedition, signature & stamps! Tangible evidence of him and his efforts! To me it doesn't get much better than that revenuecollector!

Agree. A great cover, very attractive and historically significant.

An aside. That historyforsale site has a letter written by my uncle Harry Harley, who was a Canadian cartoonist, asking $599. I can just hear him now, if he saw that. His language would be colourful.

I wasn't very clear in my response (I shouldn't respond before morning coffee!), so I modified it. Revenuecollector, if you to sell it, I'll give $20 - and pay for postage!

Your local library, or bookstore may have an autograph catalog which would list the value of a Byrd autograph.

I hate to be a doubter, but .......
I have reasons for my theories on this signature not being authentic, but that is just me (and a couple other collectors at work). If you think this item is as valuable as everyone else does, I would not hesitate to get it authenticated by one of the dealers that does this sort of thing. Pick up a copy of Autograph Magazine and they list a whole bunch of them. Good luck.
It is a nice cover however, and even if the autograph is NOT real,it would make a great addition to someones collection.
Revenuecollector: If you want to contact me off group I will share my thoughts on this with you.

Rev... Used the wrong word. I meant to say Iridescence NOT bifringement. Sorry...

Revenuecollector,
I bought an album of Cinderellas from you some
time ago,
Inside is an autographed photo of R E Byrd.

I wonder if there are lots of forgeries of Byrd's autograph on covers. I have seen his autograph on covers on ebay for much less than $100. Sorry that I cannot pinpoint a sale but I was surprised at how low of a price was realized.

After checking ncbuckeye's link to www.historyforsale, I see that two covers, including the $2,999.00 have a stamped longitude and latitude that indicates the covers actually accompanied Byrd on the exploration flights. I assume that is what makes them so valuable. Other high priced covers with Byrd's autograph also have another famous person's autograph.

Revenuecollector. I think you have a real piece there. The autograph looks valid and if you search out the right person, (if you are trying to sell it), it will sell very well.

I doubtful that even one with stamped coordinates worth more than 20-30 bucks. I have cover exactly the same as the one for sale there at $2,300, and I'm sure there are plenty of those around. See my post https://goscf.com/t/22474

Danko, Either the historyforsale site is ridiculously overpriced or you have a valuable cover. There are plenty of Byrd covers on ebay at the moment and most are inexpensive but none have the longitude and latitude included.