Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9

Autographs and Manuscripts - General

Engineers, Inventors and Scientists

Lot 378
Carver, George Washington (1864?-1943) American agronomist and agricultural chemist whose experiments with peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans revolutionized the agricultural economy of the South. He spent most of his career teaching and running experiments at the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (Tuskegee University).

Autograph Letter Signed ("G.W. Carver"). One page, large quarto, Tuskegee, Alabama, August 10, 1932. On "Tuskegee Normal And Industrial Institute" letterhead. To "Mr. Davis." Filing holes at top, mailing folds and minor age toning, otherwise very good to fine condition.

A wonderfully personal letter, this piece illustrates the warmth and dedication Carver felt towards the students he taught for so many years: "...This is just to extend to my precious boy greetings, and to let you know that I am thinking about you and am so happy over your progress. Yesterday, Just after supper, I went into a little copse of woods back of my Bldg. and collected some wonderfully strange and beautiful things...When I returned I found sitting on the steps awaiting me a dear boy who I met at the Univ. of Miss. when I spoke there...He is especially interested in Geology and Biology. He too has a creative mind, not so fine and clear cut as yours, but very good indeed..."
Estimated Value $450-550.

Lot 379
Edison, Thomas Alva (1847-1931) American inventor whose innovative work in electricity and communication laid the foundation for the modern technical age.

Signed Calling Card ("Thomas A Edison"). On a single, 3 x 1½" sheet, n.p., n.d. In black ink, "Mr. Thomas A. Edison" printed on verso. Very minor toning at edges, otherwise fine condition.

A beautiful example of Edison's umbrella signature.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.

Lot 380
Jung, Carl Gustav (1875-1961). Swiss psychiatrist and psychologist who was involved, with Freud, in the early development of psychoanalysis. Jung's work has also been influential in contemporary studies of religions, literature and societies.

Autograph Letter Signed ("C.G. Jung, MD, LLD, D.Sc. Professor of Analytic Psychology at Eidgenomische technische Hochschule in Zürich"). Two pages, quarto, New York, September 29, 1936. On Ambassador Hotel stationery. To Laura Abrams Armar. Includes signed holograph envelope. Three horizontal mailing folds, three tiny spots below text on second page. Overall condition is fine to very fine.

With wonderful content, Jung pens this exceptionally articulate English language letter: "You were most generous to allow your film, 'The Mountain Chant,' to leave the safe harbour at the museum and permit it to be shown before my seminar group in Maine...with regard to my making a gesture towards the various museums which might and certainly should be interested in so rare and beautiful a record of American Indian magic, I must tell you that this is a matter I am unable to undertake...If an opportunity arises, however, I shall recommend your production for all its beauty and interest, I also shall mention it in a forthcoming publication of mine. Thanking you most sincerely..." Jung's concept of the collective unconscious and its revelation through archetypes in myth, magic and religious symbolism that transcend cultural boundaries is reflected in his interest in The Mountain Chant and American Indian magic as source materials.
Estimated Value $2,250-3,250.

Lot 381
Marconi, Guglielmo (1874-1937) Italian physicist and inventor, he received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1909 and his work on shortwave wireless communication constitutes the basis of all modern long-distance radio communication.

Autograph Letter Signed ("G. Marconi"). One page, octavo, Cornwall, July 29, 1901. On "Poldhu Hotel / Mullion / S. Cornwall" stationery. To Mrs. Wilson Fox. Age toning and minor foxing, with two very faint stains. In good to very good condition.

Written while Marconi was making preparations for his December 12, 1901, radio transmission from Poldhu to Newfoundland, this brief reply to an autograph request is a mark of his increasing fame. Public awareness of Marconi's achievement and the excitement generated by his upcoming transmission kept him in the public eye and his Nobel Prize in 1909 awarded him an even greater following. A wonderful opportunity for collectors of Nobel Prize winners.
Estimated Value $500-750.

Lot 382
Schweitzer, Albert (1875-1965). Alsatian born philosopher, musician and mission doctor. Schweitzer won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for his efforts on behalf of "the Brotherhood of Nations." He spent the last decades of his life working to wake the public to the dangers of nuclear war.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Albert Schweitzer"). Two pages, quarto, Lambaréné, Gabon, April 1, 1961. On onion skin paper. To author and editor Norman Cousins. Stamped twice with a "Docteur Albert Schweitzer" stamp. Mailing folds. Some creasing at top edges and staple holes at top left on both sheets. Several hand corrections. In very good to fine condition.

Norman Cousins visited Schweitzer in Gabon shortly after Schweitzer was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. The friendship that grew from this meeting gave rise to a rich correspondence, most of it dealing with the arms race. We are proud to offer an illustration of their communications. Opening "My Friend...," Albert Schweitzer goes on to address a proposed peace conference scheduled for May 5, which he will not be able to attend, given his duties at his hospital and his age: "...It appears that they are thinking of having you and me hold a public dialogue on peace and disarmament. I confess that I do not like these artificial dialogues which have become fashionable today. I think that you should speak first and then I will give my talk. As Mme Erica has probably already told you, it will deal with the nature of the discussions which have already taken place on the question of peace and disarmament and on the future of these conferences. I ask for 35 minutes to present this summary. And as the Nobel Peace Prize (laureates) have been invited to this meeting, they must also express their opinion on this and that question regarding peace and disarmament...This meeting should lend expression to our aspiration for peace. That is the reason for this demonstration on May 5. That should help change the mentality of the people of our day. Let us do everything to make it successful."
Estimated Value $750-1,250.

Lot 383
Schweitzer, Albert. Autograph Letter Signed ("Albert Schweitzer"). In French. One page, octavo, n.p., July 20, 1958. In blue ink. With a few small losses and a small patch of staining at center. Still, in good to very good condition overall.

Subsequent to winning the 1952 Pulitzer Prize, Schweitzer used the accompanying proceeds to help expand his hospital in French Equatorial Africa, building a leper colony. Here, Schwietzer describes current conditions: "In my hospital, we are at the moment five physicians, twelve white nurses and fourteen native nurse's aides. In the hospital there are 360 cots which are always occupied. Next to the hospital there is a village for the leprous, cared for by us. There are 180 of them."
Estimated Value $600-800.

Lot 384
Schweitzer, Albert. Signature ("Albert Schweitzer"). Signed First Day Cover, 5¾ x 3½", n.p., n.d. With three stamps issued by Monaco in honor of Schweitzer's 80th birthday, each signed by the doctor. In fine condition.

A specially printed envelope and three stamps depicting Dr. Schweitzer, his hospital at Lambarene and a scene at the Lambarene dock make this a particularly nice commemorative piece.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 385
Schweitzer, Albert. Signed Photograph ("Albert Schweitzer"). Black and white, 4 x 6", Lambaréné, Gabon, September 27, 1964. Inscribed in French in blue ink, "To my friend Norman Cousins..." The nature of the ink has caused some smudging, small fold at top left corner. In fine condition.

A striking portrait by Erica Anderson of the great humanitarian and worker for peace. Schweitzer and Cousins were good friends and Cousin's biography of Schweitzer is a detailed portrayal of a determined and incredibly interesting individual. A nice piece to link the two great men.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 386
Tombaugh, Clyde (1906-1997). American astronomer who discovered the planet Pluto in 1930.

Lot of three pieces. 1. Autograph Letter Signed ("Clyde W. Tombaugh") . One page, quarto, Las Cruces, New Mexico, September 3, 1980. On New Mexico State University letterhead. To William Stanhope. Mailing folds, otherwise fine condition. 2. Signature ("Clyde W. Tombaugh"). One page, 3 x 5", n.p., n.d. Inscribed "Clyde W. Tombaugh / Discovered 9th Planet / Pluto, on 18 Feb 1930." In fine condition. 3. Document Signed ("Clyde W. Tombaugh") . One page, quarto, n.p., n.d. Signed mimeographed sheet recounting events that led to the discovery of Pluto. Fine condition.

A nice lot for collectors of astronomers and astronauts.
Estimated Value $75-125.

Lot 387
Von Braun, Dr. Wernher (1912-1977). German rocket scientist and designer of the first ballistic missile. Wernher also developed the first comprehensive space exploration program and was responsible for the first American satellite in orbit.

Signed Photo ("Wernher von Braun"). Color, 8 x 10", n.p., n.d. Signed in black ink. A 1-1/2" horizontal crease at the upper left. In very good condition overall.

Here, the German scientist appears in his laboratory before a few of his models.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 388
Wright, Orville (1871-1948) Younger of the Wright Brothers, the inventors and aviation pioneers who were the first to achieve powered, controlled and sustained flight (in 1903 -- with Orville at the stick) and flew the first practical airplane (in 1905). Following Wilbur Wright's death in 1912, Orville continued to experiment and innovate, serving as one of the foremost aeronautics authorities of the age.

Document Signed ("Wright Cycle Co. / OW"). Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. One page, 4½ x 2¼", Dayton, Ohio, April 13, 1896. Receipt for $12.00 from Mrs. M. Crabbs. One horizontal and four vertical folds, group of pin or staple holes at left edge. Very good condition.

Profits from The Wright Cycle Company, founded in 1892, helped the brothers fund their aeronautical experiments. Building bicycles had provided them valuable experience designing and working with materials similar to those they would later use on aircraft. The receipt offered here is for a bicycle bought on credit: "Received of Mrs. M. Crabbs / $12.00 in payment on note." A very nice example from the early days of the Wright Brother's venture.
Estimated Value $600-650.

Lot 389
Salk, Jonas, Charles P. Steinmetz, and William Bradford Shockley. 1. Salk, Jonas. Signed Photo ("Jonas Salk"). Black and white, 8 x 10", n.p., n.d. In black ink. In very good condition. 2. Steinmetz, Charles P. Check Signed ("Charles P. Steinmetz"). Partially printed, accomplished in autograph. 6¼ x 2¾", Schenectady, New York, June 1, 1907. The check is drawn on an account at The Schenectady Trust Company and made payable to "J. V. Vrooman's Sons" in the amount of $51.20. Date stamp recto, stamped cancelling verso. Loss at the lower left corner, printed slightly off-center. 3. Shockley, William Bradford. FDC Signed ("W=Shockley"). One page, 6½ x 3½", New York, July 10, 1973. Being a First Day Cover honoring 25 years of transistor technology. In black ink. Fine. Overall the group is in very good condition.

With revolutionary breakthroughs, these three scientists have made some of the most important discoveries of the 20th century -- Salk developed the first polio vaccine, Steinmetz is responsible for over 200 inventions, with improvements to both motors and generators, and Shockley won a Nobel Prize for his involvement in the development of the transistor.
Estimated Value $250-350.