Scientists and Inventors
LIVE AND INTERNET AUCTION - PART II
BEGINS AT 12 NOON EASTERN,
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2002
1212. ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879 - 1955) American physicist whose
Theory of Relativity and studies of mass and energy relationships revolutionized
the field of physics. T.L.S. "A. Einstein" on his blind-embossed letterhead,
1p. 4to., April 17, 1947 to a college department director. In part: "...It
was very kind and thoughtful of you to send me the little snapshot when I was
in Swartmore. Please accept my cordial thanks...". Very good, sold with
a 4" x 6" b/w snapshot of Einstein in robes and holding what no doubt is an
honorary degree. Photo just a bit blurred, letter is fine. $1,500-2,000
1213. SAMUEL F. B. MORSE (1791 - 1872) American inventor
who experimented in telegraphy, inventor of the Morse Code, and sent the first
wire message "What hath God wrought!" Fine content A.L.S. 1p. 4to., Poughkeepsie,
Oct. 15, 1857 to his partner F. O. J. Smith. In part: "...At the request
of Mr. Kendall in a letter this moment received, I enclose to you three letters
from George Wood, Esqr. of California for your perusal...". A fine association
of names: in 1856 Morse chose Amos Kendall, former U.S. Postmaster-General,
to be his telegraph business partner. In May, Kendall and F. O. J. Smith created
the Magnetic Telegraph Company to extend the telegraph from Baltimore to Philadelphia
and New York.. The firm grew on the strength of Morse's patent, and in 1866
merged with Western Union to form the nation's largest telegraph company.
Margins bear a few chips not affecting text, two light stains affecting
two words in text, otherwise very good. $800-1,200
1214. JULIUS ROBERT OPPENHEIMER (1904 - 1967) American
physicist, director of the Manhattan project which developed the first atomic
bomb, later served as director of the Institute of Advanced Study at Princeton.
Rare endorsed check made out to Oppenheimer, a donation of $25.00 made by Howard
Davis in Berkeley, Ca. on Apr. 19, 1955. On the verso, Oppenheimer writes: "J.
Robert Oppenheimer to the Institute for Advanced Study". Light soiling,
cancels clear of writing, very good. Sold with a corresponding T.L.S. to Davis
on Institute for Advanced Study letterhead, 1p. 4to., Princeton, Mar. 14, 1956
signed by a staffer thanking Davis for his: "...anonymous gift in memory
of Professor Einstein. As Dr, Oppenheimer wrote you...we decided on a book at
that time...". With envelope, three pieces. $400-600
1215. SIR ISAMBARD BRUNEL (1769 - 1849) British inventor and engineer
who constructed the Thames Tunnel. A.L.S. "Mc. Is. Brunel" 1p. 12mo.,
[n.p.], May 15, 1825, to a gentleman, in part: "...I shall do myself the
pleasure of joining your party on Thursday next, provided you will favour me
with your company...The Baron will be with us...". A small tear to bottom
left corner, beautifully penned Brunel's fine hand, otherwise very good.
$150-200
1216. THOMAS A. EDISON (1847 - 1931) American inventor
of the electric light, phonograph, typewriter, and microphone, to name a few.
Considered perhaps the greatest inventor of the century. Very early "umbrella"
signature "Thomas A. Edison" boldly penned on a small sheet. A bit closely-cut
at top, else near fine.$300-400
1217. THOMAS A. EDISON Bold pencil "umbrella" signature
on a beige card. Fine. $200-300
1218. HAVELOCK ELLIS (1859 - 1939) English scientist, best known for
his research into the sociology of sex. A.L.S. "Havelock Ellis" 1p. 4to.,
London, May 20, 1912, Mr. Bernstein, thanking him for copies of a newspaper,
and "...the account of your adventure on the Russian frontier...". Folds,
otherwise very good. $50-75
1219. FERDINAND RUDOLF HASSLER (1770 - 1843) Swiss scientist, the superintendent
of the United Coast Survey from 1815-1817, and U.S. gauger under Andrew Jackson.
An interesting scientific A.D., unsigned, 4pp. 4to., [n.p., n.d. but ca. 1915],
titled "An observer travelling either at Sea or land, furnished with a reflecting
instrument and a chronometer, can make a good approximate determination of Latitude
and Longitude of a place, where he may be at noon, by the following process
or another...". With detailed instructions following. Boldly penned in brown
ink, pen docket at top, very good condition. $75-100
1220. LEV LANDAU (1908 - 1968) Russian physicist who studied low-temperature
physics, atomic and nuclear physics and plasma physics. His explanation as to
why liquid helium was super-fluid earned him the 1962 Nobel Prize for Physics.
D.S. 1p. legal folio, [n.p.], May 17, 1952, a list of various nuclear-related
scientists signed by each certifying their attendance at a meeting. Fine.$100-150
1221. JOSEPH LISTER (1827 - 1912) English surgeon and
medical scientist greatly influenced by Pasteur, leading to his founding of
antiseptic surgery. A.L.S. on mourning stationery, 1p. 8vo., "Portland Place",
Dec. 19, 1901 to a fellow physician "My dear Dean", setting forth his
travel plans for a trip to Sudbury. Fine, with holograph transmittal envelope.
$300-400
1222. MAX NORDAU (1849 - 1923) German physicist and author, an ardent
Zionist and a European leader of the movement. Good content T.L.S. "M. Nordau"
1p. oblong 4to., Paris, Aug. 25, 1902, to a gentleman, in part: "...Many
thanks for your `In the gates of Israel', which I have read with great pleasure.
All the stories are not of equal originality or literary value, but all are
interesting...About one half of the stories of the volume do not strike me as
being particularly Jewish. But for Jewish names, all of the acting persons might
just as well be Christians of any nation or denomination...I congratulate you
on your effort...". Folds, slight tape repairs to verso, lightly toned,
very good. $300-400
1223. HERMANN OBERTH (1894 - 1989) German rocket pioneer who aided in
the development of the V1 and V2, later brought to America by Von Braun. T.L.S.
"H. Oberth" 1p. 4to., Nuremburg, Sept. 13, 1974, to Jon Cross, in part:
"...From the beginning of this year till today I got around 6000 letters...The
facts you asked for, you will find in my biography by Dr. Helen B. Walters...".
Boldly signed in bright blue ink, very good condition. $100-150
1224. JONAS SALK (1914 - 1995) American physician and epidemiologist
who developed the first vaccine against poliomyelitis. Good content T.L.S. on
his University of Pittsburgh letterhead, 1p. 4to., Pittsburgh, Sept. 1, 1959,
to Nathan Slater, President of the NY Chapter of the National Rehabilitation
Association, in part: "...I know one can try to do too much only to find
he has done too little. That is why some years ago it was necessary for me to
make the decision that has enabled me to continue with the work in the laboratory.
There are many areas in which I am interested and with which I would like to
help but, for the time being at least, any help I can give must come indirectly
from that which we are doing...". File holes at left, else very good.
$75-100
1225. ALBERT SCHWEITZER (1875 - 1965) French physician and theologian,
a specialist in tropical medicine. A.D.S. signed twice in the text, 1p. oblong
8vo., Lambarene, July 7, 1961, a certifying that the piano no. 101466 from the
year 1927, is one which belonged to the family of his daughter, Madame Rhene.
Boldly written, slight loss at right corner, otherwise very good. Signed twice
in full. $200-300
1226. CHARLES P. STEINMETZ (1865 - 1923) American electrical engineer
who the law of hysteresis and the theory of alternating current. Partly-printed
D.S. "Charles P.Steinmetz" 1p. oblong 12mo., Schenectady, July
1, 1904, a check drawn on the Schenectady Trust Company ordering payment of
$11.50 to H. L. Shannon. Cancellation punches lightly affect signature, else
very good. $50-75
1227. INVENTOR'S ARCHIVE An interesting grouping of approximately 50
pieces (c. 1910- 1925) including multiple page letters, documents, copies of
mechanical drawings, telegrams, and memoranda related to the career of James
A. Eden, Jr., an inventor of various improvements in gun barrel rifling and
threading machines. The group includes from Vickers Limited, Mathieson Alkali
Works, American Locomotive Company, Pennsylvania Forge Company as well as telegrams,
technical notes, legal correspondence and copies of mechanical drawings. An
interesting group worthy of further research. Very good condition. $200-300
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Aviators and Explorers
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View Scientists and Inventors
section from LIVE AND INTERNET AUCTION PART I (6/25/02) -
Lots 391-400
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1212. ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879 - 1955) American physicist whose
Theory of Relativity and studies of mass and energy relationships revolutionized
the field of physics. T.L.S. "A. Einstein" on his blind-embossed letterhead,
1p. 4to., April 17, 1947 to a college department director. In part: "...It
was very kind and thoughtful of you to send me the little snapshot when I was
in Swartmore. Please accept my cordial thanks...". Very good, sold with
a 4" x 6" b/w snapshot of Einstein in robes and holding what no doubt is an
honorary degree. Photo just a bit blurred, letter is fine. $1,500-2,000
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