[ Autographs ] NIKOLA TESLA (1856 - 1943) American engineer and inventor who discovered the principle of a rotating magnetic field, invented the Tesla Coil and with Edison developed electric lighting. Remarkable content A.L.S. about Tesla's bizarre experience in electrically-frying himself, "N. Tesla" on a sheet of his imprinted letterhead, 3pp. 8vo., New York, Dec. 20, 1932, to George Viereck, Esq In part: "....I do not know whether I have brought out clearly the most striking feature of my mental adventure, namely, that everything I saw, heard or felt appeared entirely new to me. I never realized that I had actually lived the same life before until the final shock which shook my body like an earthquake. What I went thought is not likely to be repeated for there is not more than one individual in millions who would survive. In view of your interest it occurs to me that if we had a brief talk you might write an article including my letter and, perhaps, an honorarium could be realized. We are two `storm-tossed sailors stranded on the self-same reef,' and a little ofthe filthy lucre would be soothing in this plight. I was glad to learnthat the interview will come out soon as I expect to render a real service to some friends by converting them to my doctrine. If it were not for my unbreakable resolve I would have been delighted to accept M Macfadden's hospitality. But you know that I have already cut down myproposed span of life by a quarter of a century in abandoning alcohol and must take good care to conserve the one hundred and twenty five years left...". In fine condition, a revealing example from the eccentric inventor, especially with reference to both his controversial theory and notorious financial straits.