Lot 155
Ericsson, John (1803-1839) Swedish-born inventor of the ship propeller; designed the Union ironclad ship "Monitor" that defeated the Confederate "Merrimac." Autograph Letter Signed "J. Ericsson," 3pp, 9¾"x7¾", ruled paper, n.p., 1860 Oct. 22. Fine; light toning, professional fold repairs. A detailed technical letter to an unidentified correspondent regarding Ericsson's plan for a "caloric" engine for naval use. In part: "I will attend to the wheelwright matter….The fact that the engines run away with the work, not withstanding the small suction, is all sufficient. The leak of the brass lining will take up of itself…. Pray tell your men to send the braces to a blacksmith to put in a stout rod in the middle pull an inch in diameter. The rods are good and strong enough….The 4380 gallons pumped up in 104 minutes by both engines proves each to have run at the rate of 21 gallons per minute….Pray do not give an inch in this matter. Your pumps are big enough to do the work if the pips are tight….I will send our drawings of bell cranks….The caloric…vessel will be launched Wednesday & the engines are nearly ready…." Much more content.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
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