Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 118

The Nov 14-15, 2020 Collectibles Auction

Rockets

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 833		Wernher Von Braun; Letter to Author & Trial Lawyer Louis Nizer Regarding His Book on Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Typed Letter Signed w Postscript (1912-1977) Von Braun was a German born American aerospace engineer and the leading figure in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany and a pioneer of rocket and space technology in the United States. He along with 1600 German scientists, engineers and technicians were part of Operation Paperclip and eventually assimilated into NASA and served as director of the newly formed Marshall Space Flight Center in 1960 and became the chief architect of the Saturn V Rocket and stayed at NASA until 1972. After leaving NASA, von Braun became Vice President for Engineering and Development at the aerospace company Fairchild Industries in Germantown, Maryland, on July 1, 1972. Typed letter signed on Fairchild Industries letterhead dated July 9, 1975 where he thanks famous trial lawyer Louis Nizer for his book, "The Implosion Conspiracy" and explains that "he was still in the get-acquainted mode and not yet able to comprehend the long range significance of many national events" referring to his time in the US. But he adds a lengthy post-script saying "he could not resist the temptation to start reading the book……. that he found it thrilling, touching and utterly thought provoking" all written in his hand. That the subject of the book and interest here is Julius and Ethyl Rosenberg should not be lost on anyone. LOA by Steve Zarelli confirming Von Braun's signature and that the post script is most certainly in his hand. Estimated Value $600 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $830
Lot 834		R.H Goddard Signed Letter Dated 1942, Roswell, New Mexico and a Western Union Telegram Sent by Goddard from Roswell Following Up The Letter (1882-1945) "Father of modern rocket propulsion", Robert was an American engineer, professor, physicist, and inventor who is credited with creating and building the world's first liquid-fueled rocket. Goddard's entire life was dedicated to the potential for rocketry and exploration. His time in Roswell, New Mexico were his best as he was left alone with private funding to research and test rockets he developed. Offered is a rare typed letter signed from this period, letterhead printed Mescalero Ranch Post Office Box 978, Roswell, New Mexico and dated March 27, 1942. He is personally responding to a gentleman in California who is seeking employment with Goddard replying to come stay a bit to see if it suits him. 4 Days letter Goddard sends a telegram to the gentleman regarding wages would depend on trial period and again best come visit for a time and see the town and living conditions. Very scarce signature Also included is a First Day of Issue commemorative cover and 8¢ stamp in honor of Robert Goddard with the cover signed by W. A. Fiedler who was a German test pilot and helped develop the V1 Rocket. Estimated Value $500 - UP From The Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,091
Lot 835		Early Rocketry: Flown V-2 Fragment Test Fired at White Sands (1946), Atlas Aegena Missile Fragments and Teletype from JPL Mariner. 3 relics from the early days of Rocketry. 1.) Certainly the most historic is a fragment from a German V-2 Rocket in 1946 In the aftermath of the war, the United States launched Operation Paperclip, a secret program that successfully recruited German scientists and engineers (most prominently Wernher von Braun) to work for the American military, and transported 100 captured V-2 rockets to the recently established White Sands Missile Range. Between 1946 and 1951, the Army fired 67 V-2 rockets from this site. This fragment was legally removed from a tail fin while on display in Las Cruces. COA by Ken Havekotte. 2.) A keychain and tie-tack made from the shell of an Atlas Agena Missile. 3.) Teletype print out from JPL during Mariner Mission with a fantastic vintage original photo from August, 1962. Estimated Value $250 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 836		100 + Unique NASA, Department of Defense and Various Contractors Glossy Photos of Unmanned Missiles, Rockets and Satellite Images. Outstanding collection of over 100+ photos, both B&W and color of unmanned missiles, rockets, satellites, spectacular launches and other related images. Virtually all have pertinent and interesting information printed on verso spanning from the 1950s to the early 2000s. The bulk of these photos we have never seen before and they certainly intrigue. From the personal collection of Ken Havekotte. Estimated Value $200 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $156
Lot 837		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 $1,200