Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 22

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Scientists and Engineers

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 395		Darwin, Charles (1809-82) English naturalist; the publication of his On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection in 1859 aroused a storm of controversy which continues to this day. Book Signed on one of the front end pages, no place, no date. The 5 x 3 inch volume is Cowper's Poems, Vol 2, printed by S. Hamilton, Weybridge, Surrey, no date, full calf with gilt trim. Edges of cover are worn, but interior is intact and has only very minor foxing. Cowper was an 18th century English poet who translated Homer and Latin and Italian poems. A penciled note on page facing signature states that Darwin "was at party to assert he knew nothing of poetry." An inscription in another hand below Darwin's signature states, "G. Raverat 1926 from E. Darwin," perhaps a relative presenting the volume with his or her famous relative's signature. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $920
Lot 396		Einstein, Albert (1879-1965) German-born physicist; awarded the Nobel prize for physics in 1921. Typed Letter Signed ("A. Einstein") on embossed letterhead with his name and Princeton address, Princeton, New Jersey, December 19, 1938, 1 page, quarto. In German, to Dr. Otto Wallerstein of San Francisco, California: "I suggest you write to my friend, Dr. Gabriel Segall, in Los Angeles (6943 Camrose Drive), and ask if he would be willing to help in your efforts to reach your goal. I will gladly lend my support as well." Light toning and wrinkling; fold split at right edge and two red marks in right margin which could be framed out. The neat signature is lightly traversed by two folds. Einstein was a member of the Institute for Advance Study in Princeton from 1933-55. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,438
Lot 397		Freud, Sigmund (1856-1939) Founder of psychoanalysis. Autograph Note Signed ("Freud") as professor of neuropathology at the University of Vienna, Vienna, September 1, 1936. In German, written on the verso of a postcard addressed in Freud's hand to an American, Mrs. Dorothy Ewald, in Maryland. He writes: "Sorry, I know nothing about a relative by the name of Gottlieb Fr." Overall toning and light soiling; stamp has been removed. Very boldly penned and signed by Freud. Very Good condition. Freud also maintained a private psychoanalytic practice at this time. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 398		Nobel Prize Winners. A collection of 29 Typed Letters Signed by seven Nobel prize winners, six German and one Hungarian: H.A. Krebs, A. Butenandt, A.V. Szent-Gyorgyi, Otto Hahn, Rudolf L. Moßbauer, H. Staudinger, and Werner Heisenberg. All of the correspondence is addressed to F.L. Breusch, between 1937 and 1972, most of it while he was at the Chemical Institute of the University in Istanbul; Breusch went on to the University of Massachusetts. Krebs (Nobel prize for physiology or medicine in 1953), wrote one letter, January 31, 1949, regarding "the question of the admission of German biochemists to the International Congress…"; Krebs wrote in English, the remainder of the letters being in German. Krebs was Jewish and was forced to emigrate from Germany in 1933. Adolf Betenandt (Nobel prize in chemistry in 1939), wrote 3 letters in 1948, 1952, and 1961, from the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute and its successor, the Max Planck Institute. A.V. Szent-Gyorgyi (Nobel prize for physiology in 1937) writes 2 letters, one in 1937 inviting Breusch to work for him for 4 months, and another in 1943, that wishes for a speedy end to the war. Ten letters are signed by Otto Hahn (1944 Nobel prize in chemistry), 4 from 1948, 5 from 1951, and 1 from 1954. Hahn refers to "the modern question of nuclear physics which has made all mankind excited and uneasy." He mentions splitting uranium and the geological determination of the age of minerals after the strontium method; also, the energy of atomic nuclei and their utilization. Hahn sends 3 lectures to Breusch and asks if they are too difficult to understand; one pertains to the discovery of nuclear fission and another to harnessing nuclear fission. There is 1 letter from Rudolf L. Moßbauer (1961 Nobel prize in physics), 1968, and 6 letters by Hermann Staudinger (1953 Nobel prize in chemistry), written from 1948-1956. Six letters are by Werner Heisenberg (1932 Nobel prize in physics), 5 from 1950 and 1 from 1972. On April 19, 1950, Heisenberg notes that he is sending a copy of his latest work on the quantum theory of elemental particles, and on April 20, he recommends Herr Tollmien as the finest Germany possesses in the field of theoretical and applied mechanics; a July 11, 1972 letter has interesting scientific content. There is also an unsigned draft of a letter, probably in Breusch's hand. Letters are in overall Fine condition. Heisenberg and Hahn were key scientists in Germany's race to develop an atomic bomb during World War II. Interested parties may request photocopies of letters. (30 lettters, total of 38 pages). Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,910
Lot 399		Piccard, Jean (1884-1963) Pioneer aeronaut. who contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the stratosphere, ballooning, and survival in a high-altitude environment. Cover Signed by Piccard and his wife Jeannette, postmarked "Dearborn Mich. Oct 17 1934." The couple made a balloon ascension from Dearborn, Michigan on October 23, 1934, during which they reached an altitude of 17,672 meters (57,979 faint), and tested a liquid oxygen system. The experince was instrumental in the development of a liquid oxygen converter for use in balloons and high-flying aircraft. This was also the first stratospheric flight made by a woman. Fine. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $115
Lot 400		Schweitzer, Albert (1875-1965) Alsatian-born missionary physician. Autograph Letter Signed twice, at the conclusion and in the address, Lambaréné, Gabon, May 6, 1962, 1 page, large quarto. In German to Dear Doctoresse (Margrieta van der Kreek-Barthélémy), Schweitzer's chief of medical services at his hospital in Lambaréné from March 1955 until August 1960. Schweitzer writes, in part, "I can have a sum sent you which can be useful for your project. But I can't find the data on your bank account. It is not on your letterhead….Here everything is fine, it's just that I am very tired…." In 1913, Schweitzer built his hospital with the help of natives, and equipped and maintained it from his income, later supplemented by gifts from individuals and foundations in many countries. Schweitzer was also a theologian, philosopher, and music scholar. He received the Nobel Prize for peace in 1952. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $230
Lot 401		Steinmetz, Charles P. 1865-1923. German-born electrical engineer for General Electric Co.; patented over 200 inventions. Document Signed, February 18, 1895, Schenectady, N.Y., being a check drawn on The Mohawk National Bank. Usual bank endorsements; minor soiling and several small edge tears, one lightly affecting two letters of signatures. Bold signature. Very Good. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 402		White, Sanford (1853-1906) Prominent architect, killed by an ex-lover's husband. Typed Letter Signed ("S White") on "McKim, Mead & White" letterhead, New York, March 1, 1894. 1 page, quarto, to Frederick W. McMonies, in Paris, France, forwarding a bank draft and discussing a project for the Stewarts. Light toning, some bleeding to signature, else Fine. White belonged to the most prominent archetectural firm in America, designing many famous buildings, such as Madison Square Garden II (where he was killed), the Players Club, and the Metropolitan Club, as well as Washington Arch. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $288