Autograph Letter, signed ("Frederick A. Cook") to the Arctic artist Albert Operti, congratulating him on his recent success [with the Peary expedition to Greenland], and hoping to meet with him to discuss it

1-1/2 pp., in ink, on personal stationery (Frederick A. Cook, M.D., 687 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.). 1 vols. 12mo. A charming letter between two Arctic veterans. Frederick Cook, founding member of both the Arctic Club and the Explorer's Club, and future rival claimant to Robert Peary as discoverer of the North Pole, writes to his old friend Albert Operti. Both Cook and Operti had been with Peary on an Arctic expedition in 1891 (Cook as surgeon, Operti as artist), and Operti had just returned from a second Peary expedition to Greenland, with sketches, notes, paintings, and memorabilia which now form an important part of the collections of the Explorer's Club. The letter reads: "My dear Operti, "I am so glad that you succeeded. You must have had a glorious time. Accept my hearty congratulations. "I am anxious to see your hard earned collection and have a peasant chat about our old Eskimo friends in the far North . "if this is agreeable to you at what time and place, may I have the honor . "Yours cordially, "Frederick A. Cook" Slightly soiled, old folds, docketed, presumably by Operti, "ans O/18/96" 1-1/2 pp., in ink, on personal stationery (Frederick A. Cook, M.D., 687 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y.). 1 vols. 12mo.…