Ostrovskiy, Z. [Above the Eternal Ice: The Stories of Pilot M. Babushkin Recorded on 'Malygin']. Nad Vechnymi L'dami.

Cover by Petr Alyakrinskiy.

Moskva-Leningrad, GIZ, 1929.
8vo, 118, [2] pp., iil., folded map.

In original illustrated binding.
Near very good condition, small losses to spine, edges sun-tanned.

Rare in such condition. One of 10 000 copies printed.

In 1928, the Soviet icebreakers 'Malygin' and 'Krassin' participated in the rescue operation of Umberto Nobile's dirigible expedition. During this expedition, the polar aviator Mikhail Babushkin (1893-1938) conducted several aerial searches over the Arctic in an attempt to locate the airship. Despite challenging weather conditions, Babushkin successfully made fifteen landings on the ice. In fact, he was one of the first aviators to land on the ice back in 1926.
For his remarkable contributions to the expedition, Babushkin was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. The stories written by Babushkin were dedicated to this expedition. Later on, the aviator also took part in the SS Chelyuskin expedition in 1933. Tragically, Babushkin passed away in a flight accident in 1938.

Provenance: Emiliy Mindlin (1900-1981), poet and journalist.

OCLC locates two copies of this edition: in the University of Chicago Library and the New York Public Library.