Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 38

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Scientists & Engineers

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 266		Burbank, Luther (1849-1926) Pioneer botanist; developed over 200 new varieties of plants. Bold Signature on a 1¾x3¼" card, with a postcard picturing Burbank, both partially affixed to cardboard; plus two pencil and crayon drawings featuring parrots, and two humorous unsigned letters. Estimated Value $100 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 267		Einstein, Albert (1879-1955) German-born American physicist; famous for developing the theory of relativity; winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics (1921). Typed Letter Signed ("A. Einstein") on blind-stamped, personal letterhead, 1p, 11x8½", Princeton, New Jersey, 3 April 1951. Very fine. To Joseph Halle Schaffner, New York, nearly a year after the explosion over Schaffner's proposed contribution in Einstein's name to the New School of Social Research. Einstein had originally suggested that Schaffner give the money to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, but he indicates in this letter that the money should be used for refugee intellectuals. In part: "… It is well known that the refugee intellectuals of the Hitler persecution have nearly all found opportunity for work in this country. However, many of them were already middle-aged when they arrived and there are emergency cases produced by illness and old age which constitute a permanent worry for those of us who are in a more favorable position. It may be known to you that there exists a Committee in Aid of Displaced Foreign Scholars, headed by Mrs. Else Staudinger, which has successfully tried to mitigate this situation. I believe there could be no more satisfactory use for the money than to give it in the form of a private foundation to this organiation with the proviso that the funds should be used for such emergency cases of old age and illness. Such foundation could bear my name in conformity with your earlier intentions if you find it desirable….you would produce something good and worthwhile and earn the gratitude of all concerned.…". Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $4,400
Lot 268		Freud, Sigmund (1856-1939) Austrian psychoanalyst; found psychoanalysis (1895-1900); first to develop the concept of the subconscious mind. Autograph Letter Signed ("freud"), in German, on both sides of his 3½x5¼"correspondence card imprinted "Prof. Dr. Freud / Wien, IX., Berggasse 19," Grundlsee, 11 Aug. 1930, together with the original envelope addressed in his hand, postmarked Grundlsee, August 11, 1930, with Freud's imprinted return address on the verso. An effusive social note to the wife of a colleague, "frau Prof. Ehrmann / Wien IX / Rotingasse." Freud was spending the summer at a resort in the Salzkammerqut, hence the notation "Grundlsee" above his Vienna address. Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 269		Freud, Sigmund. Autograph Letter Signed "Freud," 1 p, 7½x5", in German, n.p., n.d. Fine. Freud writes to an unidentified professor, "Most esteemed professor, Please take note of the fact that my physical condition makes it impossible for me to participate in the convention on Austrian Public Health and to deliver a speech on that occasion. With great respect, Your Devoted Freud." Freud contracted cancer of the mouth from his habit of smoking a box of cigars daily. After undergoing some 30 operations, including the removal of his jaw, he chose to die of a physician-assisted morphine overdose on 23 September 1939. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 270		Morse, Samuel F.B (1791-1872) American artist and inventor. Autograph Letter Signed "Sam'l F.B. Morse," 2 pp, 6¾x4¼", Poughkeepsie, 20 Nov. 1856. Fine. To Charles Wheaton, of the Poughkeepsie Lyceum, in part: "…however desirous I am to do all in my power to promote the laudable objects of the Lyceum I find my time so completely occupied with matters of pressing importance that I shall not be able at present to lecture before you…." Morse spent much time in litigation over rights to the Morse code, his invention for telegraph use; he finally prevailed in the courts and enjoyed financial success. The first message, "What hath God wrought!" was sent between Washington and Baltimore on May 24, 1844. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 271		Muir, John (1838-1914) Scottish-born geologist and naturalist; founder of the Sierra Club. Book Signed, "John Muir. Calcutta, 19th Apr:, 1895" on the half title page. The book is titled Echoes From Old Calcutta: Being Chiefly Reminiscences of the Days of Warren Hastings, Francis and Impey by H.E. Busteed (Calcutta: Thacker, Sprink and Co., 1888), 8x5". Edge wear to cloth covers; spine is slightly loose; frontispiece is separated but present; light toning; numerous uncut pages. Overall fair. Muir visited Calcutta during an extensive trip he took to visit various geological wonders of the world, including the Himalayas. Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $460
Lot 272		Salk, Jonas (1914-94) Doctor who created the polio vaccine. Photograph Signed in blue ink on Salk's white coat, 10x8", n.p., n.d. Fine. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $86
Lot 273		Sikorsky, Igor Ivan (1889-1972 Aviation pioneer; designed the first four-engine fixed-wing aircraft and the first successful helicopter. Typed Letter Signed "I.I. Sikorsky" on Sikorsky Aircraft letterhead, 1 p, 11x8½", Bridgeport, Connecticut, 19 July 1956. To "Lester," congratulating him on 40 years of service to Aviation and referring to himself as "another old timer…." Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 274		Wright, Frank Lloyd (1867-1959) Most influential American architect of the first half of the 20th century; his career spanned over 70 years. First Edition of The Life-Work of the American Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (Wijdeveld, H. Th., ed. Wendingen, Santpoort, Holland: C.A. Mees, 1925) Inscribed and Signed, "To P.F.R.M. comrade 'in the trenches and over the top' - From F.L.L.W., Taliesin Nov. 1927" in pencil on the title page. Folio; linen covers have light soiling; rubbed at edges. Front endpapers have small, light stains; pages are lightly toned, else very good. Paul Mueller, to whom Wright inscribed the book, was a contractor who worked with Wright on the Imperial Hotel, Unity Temple, Midway Gardens and the Larkin Building. Mueller's wife, Emilia C.N. Mueller, signed on the front endpaper. The book contains articles on Wright by many European and American architects, with many photos and blueprints of Wright's works. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold