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This listing is for a Postal Cover signed by the person indicated in the item description and picutred in the scan. This item is part of a very large vintage autograph collection that we have obtained. On most of these covers the name of the person that signed the cover is wriiten lightly in pencil on the back of the cover. If possiible we will put some information below this paragraph about the person that signed the cover. PLEASE NOTE: You will receive the EXACT autographed cover that is pictured in the scan. Satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. AAH Enterprises does NOT sell pre-prints, photocopies or facsimiles of any kind. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions using the ask seller tab above. All items come with a COA issued by AAH Enterprises.

Ashby Harper was the second person to cross the Santa Barbara Channel between Santa Cruz Island and the mainland – and the first to do so by the longer (23.5 mile) route, finishing in Santa Barbara. He did this in 1984, when he was 67 years old.

Ashby Harper penned a “jaw-inspiring” article about the swim for Sports Illustrated.

Ashby Harper graduated from Princeton University in 1939, 63 years before I did. He was considered the best all-around athlete of the Class of ’39, earning nine varsity letters — in football, baseball, and (wait for it…) swimming. He trained in a pool that has been lost to history. Dillon Gym pool – considered the “old pool” when I was at Princeton, was not built until 1947. Ashby’s coach was Howie Stepp, whose 163 dual-meet win total was not surpassed until my coach, Rob Orr, came along.

Ashby Harper served as a Navy fighter pilot in World War II, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals.

Ashby Harper was headmaster of the Albuquerque Academy in New Mexico for 20 years, and took up channel swimming upon his retirement in 1982.

Ashby Harper was the oldest person to swim the English Channel (E to F) from 1982 (when he broke Doc Counsilman’s record) until 2004, when George Brunstad swam the Channel at 70 years old.