Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 113

The Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Rockets

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 857		Rare, 1928 Handwritten/Signed Letter by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (Pioneer of Astronautic Theory and Modern Rocketry) to Yakov Perelman. Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935) Exceptionally rare handwritten and signed letter to Yakov Perelman regarding corrections to Tsiolkovsky's 1887 publication, "LUNA". Tsiolkovsky was a Russian and Soviet rocket scientist and pioneer of the astronautic theory. Along with the French Robert Esnault-Pelterie, the German Hermann Oberth and the American Robert H. Goddard, he is considered to be one of the founding fathers of modern rocketry. Manuscript has acid-free tape repairs where it appears science writer, physicist and mathematician Yakov Pereleman may have sliced the letter opening the envelope; a clean cut repaired discreetly. Letter has been translated and Tsiolkovsky says "I won't make additional information to Luna. I can just mention that the story was written roughly in 1885-1887 when I was 29-30 years old, but printed in 1890." But Tsiolkovsky then sets about writing what should be changed which is why the letter is long, handwritten on both sides. Rare. Translation and auction receipt included. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. Aurora Auctions 12/16/2002 Lot 1177. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,380
Lot 858		Rare, Multilayer Circuit Board ca. 1960s for the D37 Airborne Computer for the Minuteman II, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile by Autonetics. In 1965, Autonetics developed an on board computer system for the land-based Minuteman I and Minuteman II ICBMS in service with the Air Force Global Strike Command. Offered is one of the multilayer circuit boards mounted with Semiconductor Integrated Circuits, typical of those used in the D37 airborne computer for Minuteman II. Goldberg Auctions has never offered a circuit board from North American Aviation/AUTONETICS. Clearly this was a presentation piece to someone of high rank within the civilian or military defense missile complex. 6¼ x 4½ x ½", excellent condition with slight yellowing to lucite comensurate with age. Estimated Value $500 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $720
Lot 859		Dr. Robert H. Goddard, "Father of the Space Age" Rare Handwritten 3 Page Personal History for the Worcester Telegram April 9. 1930. Dr. Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945) was an American engineer and physicist credited with building the first liquid fueled rocket in the mid-1920s conjointly ushering in the era of space flight. In his career he launched 34 rockets achieving altitudes of 1½ miles and as fast as 550 miles per hour. In manuscripts or documents in his hand are very scarce and valuable. Offered is a handwritten personal history for the Reference Library of The Worcester Telegram and The Evening Gazette dated April 9, 1930, 4 years after his first successful rocket launch. He filled out his address, where educated, his early teaching jobs at Clark College between 1908-1923, his stint as Director of Research under the US Signal Corp, what church he attends (Episcopal) and his hobby and here he writes: The study, both theoretically and experimentally of rocket propulsion and allied problems Also included are commemorative covers and typed letter signed in the early 1960s signed by his widow, Esther. Anything in Dr. Goddard's hand is extremely scarce. Estimated Value $800 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,740
Lot 860		V-1 Rocket Relic: Piece from Wing of German V-1 Flying Bomb Shot Down by R.A.F. Pilot + Original V1 Rocket Fired Propaganda Leaflet. Rare wing fragment from the German V-1 Flying Bomb. This V-1 was shot down by former R.A.F. Flight Lieut. Seymore B. Feldman (1920-2010) of Albuquerque, New Mexico in a Hawker Tempest Fighter who was credited for destroying eleven of these "buzz bombs". He was the first R.A.F. pilot to be awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross by King George VI for shooting down V-1 Bombs. Included in this lot is a rare example of the kind of leaflets rocket fired by the Germans over Allied troops. This V-1 rocket section, decades past, had a photo of the same original leaflet included in this lot affixed with a brief history. Fragment measures 7 x 12". Estimated Value $400 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $500
Lot 861		Two Rare, Wernher Von Braun Signed, V-2 Mailrocket Flight Label Blocks from 1946. Wernher Von Braun (March 23, 1912-June 16, 1977) Offered are two, plate blocks of four, mail rocket labels with each block signed by German/American aerospace engineer Werner Von Braun, the leading figure in the development of rocket technology in Germany and a pioneer of rocket and space technology in the United States. These labels were originally printed in 1935 and then overprinted in 1946 during the US Army classified V-2 rocket tests in Las Cruces, N.M. Red labels were overprinted in blue ink and blue labels were overprinted in red. Wernher Von Braun has signed both in blue fountain pen ink in his unmistakable handwriting making these truly rare and remarkable pieces. Estimated Value $900 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $550
Lot 862		Two Rare V-2 Mail Rocket Labels from 1947, Both Blocks Signed by Wernher Von Braun. Wernher Von Braun (March 23, 1912-June 16, 1977) Offered are two V-2 American Mailrocket flight labels. Both four blocks have been signed by German/American aerospace engineer Wernher Von Braun, the leading figure in the development of rocket technology in Germany and a pioneer of rocket and space technology in the United States. These labels were originally printed in 1935 and then overprinted in 1946 during the US Army classified V-2 rocket tests in Las Cruces, N.M. Red labels were overprinted in blue ink and blue labels were overprinted in red. Wernher Von Braun has signed both blocks in blue fountain pen ink. Estimated Value $900 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $528
Lot 863		Two Rare V-2 Mail Rocket Labels from 1947, One Block Signed by Wernher Von Braun. Wernher Von Braun (March 23, 1912-June 16, 1977) Offered are V-2 American Mailrocket flight labels. One is a four block signed by German/American aerospace engineer Werner Von Braun, the leading figure in the development of rocket technology in Germany and a pioneer of rocket and space technology in the United States. The second is a single label signed by Ernst Stuhlinger who was one of the dozens of German engineers who came to the US after WWII to assist in America's rocket programs. These labels were originally printed in 1935 and then overprinted in 1947 (note the difference in the font from the 1946 versions) during the US Army classified V-2 rocket tests in Las Cruces, N.M. Red labels were overprinted in blue ink and blue labels were overprinted in red. Wernher Von Braun has signed just under a blue block of four labels in blue fountain pen ink. Estimated Value $600 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $525
Lot 864		Two Rare, Signed, V-2 Mailrocket Flight Labels from 1946: One by Wernher Von Braun, the other by Ernst Stuhlinger. Wernher Von Braun (March 23, 1912-June 16, 1977) Ernst Stuhlinger (1913-2008) Offered are V-2 mailrocket flight labels. One is a four block signed by German/American aerospace engineer Werner Von Braun, the leading figure in the development of rocket technology in Germany and a pioneer of rocket and space technology in the United States. The second is a single label signed by Ernst Stuhlinger who was one of the dozens of German engineers who came to the US after WWII to assist in America's rocket programs. These labels were originally printed in 1935 and then overprinted in 1946 during the US Army classified V-2 rocket tests in Las Cruces, N.M. Red labels were overprinted in blue ink and blue labels were overprinted in red. Wernher Von Braun has signed a red block of four labels in blue fountain pen ink and Stuhlinger has signed across one label affixed to a portion of an official envelope in blue ball point. Very scarce. Estimated Value $700 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $450
Lot 865		V-2 Rocket Collection: Wernher Von Braun Signed and Dated Cover, Walter Dornberger Signed Photo, 12 Vintage V-2 Test Photos. The V-2 Rocket was the world's first long range guided ballistic missile and was developed by Germany during WWII. At the end of the war, the brilliant rocket scientist Wernher von Braun and over 100 key V-2 personnel surrendered to the Americans and many of the original V-2 team ended up working at the Redstone Arsenal and captured enough parts to make over 75 of the missiles. Fantastic collection on the V-2 including 1.) One of the best Wernher Von Braun signed covers in the auction. Werner Von Braun has written in blue fountain pen ink Cape Canaveral, Fla. 31 January 1958 10:48 EST and boldly signed his name. Cover was postmarked 1958 Patrick Air Force Base. 2.) A signed color 5¼ x 3½" photo of Dr. Walter Dornberger, who was the leader of Germany's V-2 Rocket program during WWII. Along with other German rocket scientists, Dornberger was released from prison in the UK and brought to the United States under the auspices of Operation Paperclip, and worked for the United States Air Force for three years, developing guided missiles and played a major role in the development of the X-15. 3.) Twelve (12) vintage original re-strikes from late 1940s of V-2 rocket firing tests and high altitude photos of White Sands most 8 x 10" Photos are clear but have ripples with some having mounting residue on verso. Estimated Value $800 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $656
Lot 866		Three Samples of Trinitite, Each with Presentation Letters of Authenticity. From the fireball area of the first atomic detonation at the Trinity test site in New Mexico, melted desert sand cooled and hardened into what is now known as Trinitite. A lot of three sealed samples are 3.1 grams (1¼ x ¾") 4.0 grams (1½ x 1") and 4.8 grams with the 4.8 gram sample comprising of 7 small pebble sized samples. Safe but do not ingest. Estimated Value $300 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $276