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Sell or Auction Your Svante Arrhenius Autograph Letter Signed for up to Nearly $1,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions

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Free Appraisal, Auction or Sell Your Svante Arrhenius Autograph Letter Signed

Svante August Arrhenius (/əˈriːniəs, əˈreɪniəs/ ə-REE-nee-əs, -⁠RAY-, Swedish: [ˈsvânːtɛ aˈrěːnɪɵs]; 19 February 1859 – 2 October 1927) was a Swedish scientist. Originally a physicist, but often referred to as a chemist, Arrhenius was one of the founders of the science of physical chemistry. He received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1903, becoming the first Swedish Nobel laureate. In 1905, he became director of the Nobel Institute, where he remained until his death.

Below is a recent realized price for a Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to these amounts or more for you:

Svante Arrhenius Autograph Letter Signed. Sold for nearly $1,000.

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Consign your Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Send a description and images of your item to us at [email protected].

Nate D. Sanders Auctions has sold the following similar items:

Nobel Prize Awarded to Physiologist Alan Lloyd Hodgkin in 1963 — Won for His Revolutionary Research on the Central Nervous System

The 1963 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to physiologist Alan Lloyd Hodgkin for establishing the propagation mechanism of nerve impulses called action potentials — consequently helping to understand the mechanism behind disorders such as multiple sclerosis, seizures and Parkinson’s disease. Hodgkin is also responsible for identifying the Hodgkin Cycle and, along with colleagues Andrew Fielding Huxley and John Carew Eccles, hypothesized the existence of ion channels on cell membranes, a concept which took over 20 years to confirm; that confirmation earned Erwin Neher and Bert Sakmann the 1991 Nobel Prize. This Nobel Prize medal is made of 23k gold and features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features the words, ”INVENTAS VITAM JUVAT EXCOLUISSE PER ARTES”, which translates from Latin to, ”Inventions enhance life which is beautified through art”. A.L. Hodgkin’s name and the year 1963 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief, framed by the words, ”REG. UNIVERSITAS MED-CHIR-CAROL”. On the right side is the name ”E LINDBERG”, who designed the prize. Comes with 6 original photographs of Hodgkin (at least 4 of which are from the ceremony in Oslo on 10 December 1963), a New York Times article on Hodgkin dated 18 October 1963, a portion of a 1976 issue of ”The Journal of Physiology” featuring an essay by Hodgkin, and the official 1963 English edition of the Nobel Prize publication, featuring Hodgkin and partner Huxley on the cover. Medal is housed in the maroon leather presentation box with a white satin lining and Hodgkin’s name printed on the front. Box measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Medal measures 6.5 cm or 2.56” in diameter, and weighs 196 g or 6.9 oz, consistent with the original Nobel Prizes awarded in 1963. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from the daughter of Dr. Alan Hodgkin. Sold for $795,614.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
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Nobel Prize Awarded to Physicist Leon Lederman in 1988 — Won for His Groundbreaking Discovery of a New Atomic Particle — One of Only 10 Nobel Prizes Ever to Be Auctioned

The 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to particle physicist Leon Lederman for his discovery of the muon neutrino, a particle 200 times the size of an electron. Lederman, along with colleagues Melvin Schwartz and Jack Steinberger, found the muon neutrino in 1962 while using a high energy particle accelerator. They discovered that in some cases a muon (rather than an electron) was produced, illuminating the existence of a new atomic particle. Lederman was also instrumental in the discovery of the bottom quark in 1977, and was the champion of the Superconducting Super Collider. His popular 1993 book ”The God Particle: If the Universe is The Answer, What is The Question” was released to critical acclaim. This Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24k gold, as were all Nobel Prize medals awarded after 1980. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Lederman’s name and 1988 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the two women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Housed in the original red leather case with Leon Lederman’s name gilt stamped. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter, consistent with the original Nobel Prize awarded in 1988. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Presented in near fine condition, and with an LOA from Leon Lederman. Sold for $765,002.

Paul Ehrlich signed letter
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Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
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Nobel Prize Won by Walter Kohn, One of the Children Saved by Kindertransport During World War II

Nobel Prize in Chemistry won by Walter Kohn in 1998, unique not only for the scientific impact of Kohn’s work, but also for his life experience as one of the children rescued from Nazi-occupied territories in World War II through the Kindertransport program. Kindertransport was established by the United Kingdom in 1938 immediately after the ”Night of Broken Glass” pogrom in Germany, authorizing the safe passage of almost 10,000 children into the UK. The children were placed in homes throughout the British empire, with Kohn ultimately finding a home in Canada after both his parents were killed in the Holocaust. In addition to his Nobel Prize, lot also includes three science books that Kohn purchased at the temporary internment camp in Canada, all still housed in their well-worn homemade dust jackets: ”A Course of Pure Mathematics”, ”Dent’s Modern Science Series”, and ”Properties of Matter”.

The books are a foreshadowing to the incredible achievements that Kohn made to the world through his Nobel Prize-winning work. As the architect of density functional theory (DFT), Kohn devised the computational quantum mechanical modelling system that has allowed scientists to understand the nuclear structure of microscopic matter. Though the underlying structure of NFT is complex, the actual equations are now commonplace among scientists, with countless practical results deriving from it – from discovering trace impurities in chemicals to modeling planetary systems.

Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1998 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Reverse features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Kohn’s name and 1998 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the two women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, who designed the Nobel medal. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Near fine condition. With an LOA from the Kohn family. Sold for $457,531.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Nobel Prize Awarded to Chemist Heinrich Wieland, the Founder of Modern Biochemistry — The Only Nobel Prize in Chemistry Ever to Be Auctioned

The 1927 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to Dr. Heinrich Otto Wieland, considered the father of modern biochemistry. This Nobel is the only Prize in Chemistry to ever be auctioned. Wieland spent his life’s work investigating the oxidation processes in living cells, and has been credited with unifying the disciplines of organic chemistry and biochemistry, which had been split since the work of chemist Justus von Liebig in the 1870’s. Wieland’s research into bile acid was used as the basis for the manufacture of drugs for the treatment of a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases, underpinning his recognition as the founder of modern biochemistry. As a result of his groundbreaking work in the field of chemistry, the Heinrich Wieland Prize was established and endowed in his honor in 1964, awarded to leading scientists for their work in the fields of biochemistry, chemistry and physiology, and counting four Nobel Laureates among its recipients. Wieland was also a strident opponent of the Nazi party; he employed and hid several Jews and supporters of the White Rose Nazi resistance movement in his laboratory at the University of Munich, which was given the nickname ”The Ghetto Room”. Wieland even courageously defended his student Hans Leipelt in court, who was convicted for collecting money for the widow of Kurt Huber, Wieland’s colleague who moonlighted as a White Rose resistance leader. Huber and Leipelt were both tried and executed in 1943. This Nobel Prize is made of 23kt gold and features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Wieland’s name and 1928 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the two women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, who designed the Nobel medal. Medal is housed in a green leather box with a pale blue felt bottom and white satin lining. Box measures 5” x 5”. Medal measures 66 mm or 2.5” in diameter, and weighs 206 g or 7.25 oz, consistent with the original Nobel Prizes awarded in 1928. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from the consignor, Dr. Heinrich Wieland’s grandson. Sold for $395,000.

Paul Ehrlich signed letter
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William Osler typed letter signed
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Nobel Prize Awarded to Economist Simon Kuznets in 1971 — Inventor of the Kuznets Curve — One of the Most Influential Economists of All Time

The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, awarded in 1971 to influential economist Simon Kuznets, inventor of the Kuznets Curve in 1955. Kuznets is credited with inventing a quantitative method for correlating per capita income to economic inequality over time, as a country’s economic growth matures. In the ceremony on 11 December 1971, the Nobel Prize committee awarded Kuznets the Nobel Prize for his ”empirically founded interpretation of economic growth which has led to new and deepened insight into the economic and social structure and process of development”. 23K gold medal prominently bears the image of Alfred Nobel upon the obverse, with ”Sveriges Riksbank Till Alfred Nobels Minne 1968” applied in raised letters, encircling the medal. ”Simon Kuznets 1971” is engraved to the rim, and the medal’s reverse contains the north star emblem of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, with the phrase ”Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien” applied. Housed in the original red leather case with Kuznets’ name gilt stamped. Medal weighs 7.25 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter, consistent with the original Nobel Prizes awarded in 1971. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Accompanied by a copy of the Nobel Prize speech owned and annotated by Kuznets. This is the sixth Nobel Prize ever sold at auction, and the first in the category of Economic Sciences. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from the consignor, Simon Kuznets’ son. Sold for $390,848.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
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Nobel Prize Awarded to the Scientist Who Developed Bone Marrow Transplants as a Treatment for Leukemia and Other Blood Cancers

Outstanding Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to E. Donnall Thomas for his use of bone marrow transplants to treat leukemia and other blood cancers. Awarded the Nobel Prize in 1990, Thomas first published his theory on BMT treatments in ”The New England Journal of Medicine” in 1957, and then worked methodically throughout the 1960s and 70s to turn the theory into a clinical treatment, despite it being dismissed at the time as implausible and experimental. In the latter half of the 20th century, the treatment slowly gained acceptance, with approximately 60,000 transplants now occurring each year, bringing the survival rate for some cancers from zero to near 90%. Bone marrow transplants are now considered one of the greatest success stories in cancer treatment.

Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1990 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of a woman representing the Genius of Medicine, holding a book in her lap, as she collects water to nourish a girl. Encircling the medal are the words ”INVENTAS VITAM JUVAT EXCOLUISSE PER ARTES”, which translates from Latin to ”The benefits of improved life through discovered arts”. Thomas’ name and 1990 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque framed by the words ”REG UNIVERSITAS MED-CHIR CAROL”, representing the Karolinska Institute that awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Minor soiling to reverse, overall in near fine condition. With an LOA from the Thomas family. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Sold for $312,500.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Nobel Prize Awarded to The Father of Immunogenetics, George Snell in 1980 — Snell’s Work Led Directly to Successful Human Organ Transplants

The 1980 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to George D. Snell for his scientific discovery that directly led to saving lives through organ transplantation. Snell – known as the Father of Immunogenetics, won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the major histocompatibility complex, or MHC, the genetic foundation of a body’s immunological response to tissue and organ transplants, determining whether an organ is accepted by the body or rejected as a foreign invader. Prior to Snell’s work, organ transplantation was entirely dependent on chance as to whether a genetic match would allow an organ to be accepted; afterwards, the only impediment was the availability of organs. Nearly 150,000 organ transplants are now performed each year, with millions of lives over the course of 40 years saved as a result.

Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1980 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of a woman representing the Genius of Medicine, holding a book in her lap, as she collects water to nourish a girl. Encircling the medal are the words ”INVENTAS VITAM JUVAT EXCOLUISSE PER ARTES”, which translates from Latin to “The benefits of improved life through discovered arts”. Snell’s name and 1980 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque framed by the words “REG UNIVERSITAS MED-CHIR CAROL”, representing the Karolinska Institute that awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Presented in fine condition. With an LOA from George Snell’s son. Sold for $275,000.

Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
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Nobel Prize Awarded to Scientist Hans Krebs in 1953, Won for His Discovery of the Famous Krebs Cycle — With Krebs’ Nobel Prize Diploma

The 1953 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to physician and biochemist Hans Krebs for the discovery of the citric acid cycle (later named the Krebs cycle) and the urea cycle, the metabolic process by which all multi-cellular organisms convert food into energy. This Nobel Prize medal is made of 23k gold and features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features the words, ”INVENTAS VITAM JUVAT EXCOLUISSE PER ARTES”, which translates from Latin to, ”Inventions enhance life which is beautified through art”. H.A. Krebs’ name and the year 1953 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief, framed by the words, ”REG. UNIVERSITAS MED-CHIR-CAROL”. On the right side is the name ”E LINDBERG”, who designed the prize. Comes with the Nobel Prize diploma which contains calligraphy printed on 2 vellum sheets, with signatures from 29 members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science, housed in a beautiful blue case with Krebs’ initials “HAK” printed in gilt; sheets each measure 13.5″ x 19.5″. Medal is housed in the 5.5″ square red leather presentation box with Krebs’ name printed on the front. Medal measures 6.5 cm or 2.56” in diameter, and weighs 196 g or 6.9 oz, consistent with the original Nobel Prizes awarded in 1953. Presented in near fine condition. Sold for $269,000.

Henry Gray Anatomy Descriptive and Surgical 1858 1st edition
Nobel Prize Awarded to Scientist Hans Krebs in 1953. Click to enlarge.

Nobel Prize Awarded to Thomas Schelling in 2005 — One of the Foremost Experts in Game Theory Regarding Nuclear Arms Strategy — Proceeds of Sale Will Be Donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center

The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, awarded in 2005 to Thomas C. Schelling, the foremost expert on game theory as it applies to nuclear weaponry and international relations, and whose theory is particularly relevant now. Schelling is famously credited with the concept of ”uncertain retaliation”, expressed in his 1960 book, ”The Strategy of Conflict”, in which he argued that unpredictability, a higher tolerance for risk, and a willingness to feign irrationality in decision making can lead, if performed correctly, to a superior position over one’s opponents — especially with nuclear weapons. This so-called ”Madman Theory” was used by Richard Nixon in his negotiations with the Soviet Union and North Vietnam, and many experts have stated that both Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are currently using the strategy in negotiating with each other. Schelling was also one of the “founding fathers” of the modern, leadership-oriented John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and made wide-ranging policy contributions helping to curtail smoking, confront racial segregation, and address climate change.

Nobel medal, made of 18K gold, prominently bears the image of Alfred Nobel upon the obverse, with ”Sveriges Riksbank Till Alfred Nobels Minne 1968” applied in raised letters, encircling the medal. ”T.C. SCHELLING MMV” is engraved to the rim, and the medal’s reverse contains the north star emblem of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, with the phrase ”Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien” applied. Housed in the original red leather case with Schelling’s name gilt stamped, and also accompanied by the original Nobel Prize certificate awarded to Schelling. Medal weighs 6 oz. and measures 2.625” in diameter, consistent with the Nobel Prizes awarded in 2005. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1.25”. Certificate is housed in custom leather portfolio, then housed in suede-lined clamshell case measuring 9.75” x 14.75”, beautifully accented with Schelling’s initials in calligraphy. All items are presented in near fine condition. The proceeds from the sale of this auction will be donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center, consistent with the wishes of Thomas Schelling. Sold for $187,500.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Nobel Prize Awarded to Physicist Kenneth G. Wilson in 1982 — One of the Kingpins of Quantum Physics

The 1982 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to theoretical physicist Kenneth G. Wilson for his work in understanding the ”critical point” of phase transitions – the exact point at which matter transitions to another state, such as when a solid become liquid. Wilson’s work was subsequently applied to quantum mechanics, where he is considered a pioneer who laid the theoretical groundwork for today’s quantum physicists. Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1982 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Wilson’s name and 1982 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the 2 women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Housed in the original red leather case with Kenneth G. Wilson’s name gilt stamped. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from Kenneth Wilson’s widow. Sold for $118,750.

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Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
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Albert Einstein Letter Signed During WWII — ”The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive…our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test”

Albert Einstein typed letter signed during World War II, with moving content regarding helping Jewish refugees. Dated 10 June 1939 on his personal embossed letterhead from Princeton, Einstein writes to Dr. Maurice Lenz who worked on ”behalf of the refugees during Dedication Week.” Einstein continues, ”…The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years has been based to a large extent on traditions of mutual helpfulness. In these years of affliction our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test. May we stand this test as well as did our fathers before us.

We have no other means of self-defense than our solidarity and our knowledge that the cause for which we are suffering is a momentous and sacred cause.

It must be a source of deep gratification to you to be making so important a contribution toward rescuing our persecuted fellow-Jews from their calamitous peril and leading them toward a better future…[signed] A. Einstein”.

Single page letter measures 8.5” x 11”. Folds and light creasing, otherwise near fine condition. Accompanied by Einstein’s embossed mailing envelope, postmarked Princeton on 12 June 1939. Sold for $134,344.

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The Most Famous Photo of Albert Einstein, Playfully Sticking Out His Tongue — Extraordinarily Rare as Signed by Einstein

Very rare photo signed by Albert Einstein, on the occasion of the Nobel Prize winner playfully sticking out his tongue to a group of photographers on his 72nd birthday. Photo was snapped on 14 March 1951 by Arthur Sasse, a UPI photographer whose employers were at first hesitant about publishing the iconoclastic image of Einstein; when they did, Einstein was so amused by it that he ordered several prints to give out to close friends. This image is unlike most which crop the photo to show only Einstein. Here, the photo is shown in its full context with Einstein seated between Dr. Frank Aydelotte, head of the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton, and Aydelotte’s wife, after celebrating his birthday at the Princeton Club. Photo is signed along the left margin ”A. Einstein .51”, indicating he signed the image shortly after it was taken. Photo measures 7” x 10”. Very good to near fine condition. Extraordinarily rare photo signed by Einstein, the most famous and beloved image of him. Sold for $125,000.

William Osler typed letter signed
Albert Einstein Signed Photo. Click to enlarge.

Nobel Prize Awarded to Physicist Kenneth G. Wilson in 1982 — One of the Kingpins of Quantum Physics

The 1982 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to theoretical physicist Kenneth G. Wilson for his work in understanding the ”critical point” of phase transitions – the exact point at which matter transitions to another state, such as when a solid become liquid. Wilson’s work was subsequently applied to quantum mechanics, where he is considered a pioneer who laid the theoretical groundwork for today’s quantum physicists. Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1982 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Wilson’s name and 1982 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the 2 women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Housed in the original red leather case with Kenneth G. Wilson’s name gilt stamped. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from Kenneth Wilson’s widow. Sold for $118,750.

Alexander Monro autograph
Nobel Prize Awarded to Physicist Kenneth G. Wilson in 1982. Click to enlarge.
LOA for Nobel Prize Awarded to Physicist Kenneth G. Wilson in 1982. Click to enlarge.

Albert Einstein Letter Signed During WWII to William Morris of the William Morris Agency — ”…The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive…an especially severe test…”

Albert Einstein typed letter signed during World War II, with moving content regarding helping Jewish refugees. Dated 10 June 1939 on his personal blind-embossed letterhead from Princeton, Einstein writes to William Morris of the famed William Morris Agency, who worked on ”behalf of the refugees during Dedication Week.” Einstein continues, ”…The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years has been based to a large extent on traditions of mutual helpfulness. In these years of affliction our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test. May we stand this test as well as did our fathers before us.

We have no other means of self-defense than our solidarity and our knowledge that the cause for which we are suffering is a momentous and sacred cause.

It must be a source of deep gratification to you to be making so important a contribution toward rescuing our persecuted fellow-Jews from their calamitous peril and leading them toward a better future…[signed] A. Einstein”. Single page letter measures 8.5” x 11”. Folds and small closed tear at top, in very good to near fine condition. Sold for $63,195.

Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
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Remarkable Letter Signed by Albert Einstein, Along With His Initialed Drawings — Explaining the Science Behind His Groundbreaking Work on Electrostatic Theory and Special Relativity

Albert Einstein letter signed with his hand drawings, elegantly explaining his electrostatic theory of special relativity to a physics teacher struggling to reconcile it with experiments he was conducting. In addition to the letter, which is new to the market, Einstein generously replies to a series of questions the teacher asks him on a questionnaire, providing additional drawings and calculations, initialed ”A.E.” at the conclusion. Dated 4 September 1953 on Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study letterhead, Einstein writes to Arthur L. Converse, the teacher from Malcolm, Iowa, in part, ”There is no difficulty to explain your present experiment on the basis of the usual electrostatic theory. One has only to assume that there is a difference of potential between the body of the earth and higher layers of the atmosphere, the earth being negative relatively to those higher layers…[Einstein then draws Earth and the atmosphere, referring to it for clarification] The electric potential p rises linearly with the distance h from the surface of the earth…For all your experiments the following question is relevant: How big is the electric charge produced on a conductor which is situated in a certain height h, this body being connected with the earth…” Einstein then answers Converse’s questions on a two-page questionnaire. In one answer, Einstein seems to disagree with the question, providing both a diagram and mathematical equation and then a ”?” to try to aid understanding. He later writes ”not clear” to one answer along with a question mark and additional diagram with the notation ”charge of elektroscope increased proportional to h”. An extraordinary lot by Einstein showing the generosity of his time, with rare content on his theory of special relativity. Single page letter and two-page questionnaire each measures 8.5” x 11”. Also included is Einstein’s original mailing envelope from ”Room 115” of the Institute for Advanced Study, postmarked 7 September 1953 from Princeton. Folds and very light toning to letter, otherwise near fine. Questionnaire has folds, light toning and staple mark, otherwise near fine with bold handwriting by Einstein. With an LOA from the nephew of Arthur Converse and new to the market. Sold for $53,504.

Paul Ehrlich signed letter
Remarkable Letter Signed by Albert Einstein, Along With His Initialed Drawings. Click to enlarge.

Albert Einstein Autograph Letter Signed on God & Unified Field Theory, With Mathematical Equations in His Hand Regarding the Theory — “…It is devilishly difficult to get closer to ‘Him’…”

Albert Einstein autograph letter signed in April 1950, shortly after his article “On the Generalized Theory of Gravitation” appeared in “Scientific American”. Einstein replies to a letter from his closest friend, Michele Besso, with wide-ranging content spanning the spiritual (even referencing God as “Him”) to his Unified Field Theory, with equations from the theory in his hand (“A certain mathematical question has occupied me lately”) that he believes neutralizes his critics. Einstein also takes aim at quantum physicists (“there is no such thing as a ‘particle’ in the strictest meaning of the word”) and even tackles the tricky issue of knowledge itself (“no guarantee that it will ever be possible to know whether the theory is ‘true.’”). At the age of 71, Einstein is seeking to augment his Unified Field Theory, creating an umbrella theory for Special Relativity and Gravity, and seems frustrated that “contemporary physicists” appear content with theoretical abstractions without proving the equations underpinning them. In fact, he predicts that they will eventually see the need for evidence: “they clearly have the right to condemn my method as unproductive. But it will not be like that in the long run. They will see, very slowly, that you cannot get closer in depth to things with the quasi-empirical method.”

Two page letter on 8.5″ x 11″ sheet is near fine and accompanied by original envelope postmarked from Princeton on 16 April 1950. Also accompanied by a four page reply letter from Besso, with complete translation for both letters. Sold for $36,628.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Einstein and Nazism in 1938: ”…buckets of letters are coming in, whole stacks full of persecuted and desperate victims of the current situation…Only when you are dead will you be safe…”

Exceptional autograph letter signed by Albert Einstein in 1938, on helping Jews and other persecuted people flee German-held countries in Europe, even using his own funds to do so. Writing on 14 December 1938 to his sister Maja Winteler-Einstein in Switzerland, Einstein instructs Maja to leave Switzerland for the United States, and then writes of his work in helping others in danger. German letter translates in full,

”Dear Sister! / I believe that you should come over here soon to visit me, then wait and see how things will develop from here on. For this, you will need a visitor’s visa, which the American consul will issue. For you, most likely the one in Naples will be applicable (or, on the other hand, perhaps the Swiss one, i.e., the American consul in Zurich). I am attaching a letter for you here that will help you obtain the visitor’s visa more easily. As soon as you have the visa or at least know that you will get it soon, please let me know by when you will be able to travel. I will then take care of everything and will send everything to you at a suitable Swiss address that you will have to provide.

As a sideline, I am now working as some sort of itinerant relief committee and buckets of letters are coming in, whole stacks full of persecuted and desperate victims of the current situation. I sent some money to Marie Dr., and I am helping the Ulm [city in Germany] relatives with emigrating. It is easy for the young ones, but difficult for the old ones. People such as Paul Moos will have to be taken to safety in a neighboring country and will have to be modestly provided for. I will have to use a large part of my income for such permanent benefits and services. Gumpertz will have to leave as well (sic transit Gloria mundi [thus passes the glory of the world]). Only when you are dead will you be safe. The most difficult thing will be finding a country that will accept the old people, even if one provides a modest livelihood for them. That is how things have turned out by now!

Pauli [Maja’s husband] will now become familiar with the life of an old bachelor as well. Maybe he could actually take in Marie, with whom I exchanged a few letters. Loving greetings to all of you from your / Albert.” Letter runs just over one page on a 8.5” x 11” sheet. Separation starting along bottom vertical fold; overall very good plus condition. Sold for $31,250.

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Albert Einstein 1938 ALS Regarding Hitler: ”…Hoping that Hitler might let off steam…[Chamberlain] saved Hitler in the nick of time by crowning himself with the wreath of love of peace…”

Exceptional and lengthy autograph letter signed by Albert Einstein in October 1938, ten days after English Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain signed the Munich Agreement, effectively ceding Czechoslovakia to Adolf Hitler. Einstein here shows that his sharp mind extends beyond physics to also include the nuances and repercussions of international diplomacy; while most people praised Chamberlain (including President Roosevelt and the Royal family) for avoiding war by appeasing Hitler, Einstein accurately predicted that it would embolden Hitler and do further damage to European alliances. Datelined Princeton, 10 October 1938, Einstein writes to his close friend Michele Besso in German, beginning with his attempts to help European Jews by issuing affidavits: ”Dear Michele! / I am not able to give any more affidavits, and I would endanger the ones that are still pending if I issued additional new ones. The few persons I know who have some assets are already encumbered to their limit. The pressure on us from these poor people over there is such that, in view of the amount of misery and the scant opportunity of being able to help, one feels absolute despair. It is bloody difficult here for business people to establish themselves. It is significantly better for trades-people – this would apply in the case of your protege’s wife. However, it will be very difficult, if these people do not have any relatives over here. You see, affidavits from relatives receive priority consideration, and increasingly this means exclusion of all others. / You have confidence in the British and even Chamberlain? O sancta simpl…! [‘Oh holy innocence’, i.e., naivete in Latin] Hoping that Hitler might let off steam by attacking Russia, he sacrifices Eastern Europe. But we will come to see once more that shrewdness does not win in the long term. In France, he pushed the Left into a corner and, in France as well, helped give power to those people whose motto is, ‘Better Hitler than the Reds.’ The extermination policy against Spain already showed this clearly. Now he saved Hitler in the nick of time by crowning himself with the wreath of love of peace and inducing France to betray the Czechs. He did all this in such a clever way that he deceived most people, even you (unfortunately). His only fear, which spurred him on to his humiliating flights, was the worry that Hitler might lose ground. / I do not have any hope left for the future of Europe. America valiantly joined in with the effort to strangle Spain. For here too, to all intents and purposes, money and the fear of Bolshevists prevail – or, just in general, the fear of the owning class for their privileges. I wouldn’t want to be alive if I didn’t have my work. At any rate, it is good to be old now and, as a person at least, not to have to count on a distant future. / I am sending you our most recent work; I have great hopes for its further elaboration. I am still thoroughly convinced that, looked at from a deeper perspective, explaining the laws of nature in terms of probability constitutes a wrong direction, in spite of all practical successes of the statistical method. / From this work, you will not yet be able to clearly see the physical implications. Nevertheless, I am sure that you will like its purely logical aspect, irrespective, at this point, of whether anything can be done with it from the actual physical point of view. / I am glad for you that you are going to retire. You have pulled this tedious cart, which never arrives anywhere, long enough, and now, during your last years, you will be able to devote yourself purely to thought. Plato, as you know, desired this for all members of his privileged class who had reached the age of 50. / Mileva [Einstein’s ex-wife] has great difficulties making her mortgage payments. I suppose I will have to assume ownership of the house, in which she lives, in my own name, even though this constitutes a considerable risk. / Affectionate greetings to you and Anna from your / Albert”. Two page letter with blind-stamped address measures 8.5” x 11”. With original transmittal envelope postmarked Princeton, 11 October 1938. Near fine condition. Accompanied by a full translation. Sold for $31,250.

Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
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Letter Written by Albert Einstein the Day He Renounced His German Citizenship & Turned in His German Passport — ”…We will now look for a hiding place…”

Historically important autograph letter written by Albert Einstein the day he renounced his German citizenship and turned in his passport to the German Consulate in Brussels. Dated 28 March [1933] aboard the S.S. Belgenland ship, Einstein and his wife Elsa write to Einstein’s sister Maja Winteler-Einstein about the dire situation in Germany, just minutes before they would dock in Antwerp, Belgium, where Einstein famously renounced his German citizenship.

Entire letter in German runs four pages on card-style stationery measuring 5” x 8”. Einstein’s portion is found on pages three and four. Single fold, otherwise near fine condition. A remarkable letter, imparting the visceral feeling of the extreme danger the Einsteins were in, and their bravery as Germany descended into Nazism. Sold for $30,250.

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Albert Einstein Letter Signed During WWII — ”The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive…our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test”

Albert Einstein typed letter signed during World War II, with moving content regarding helping Jewish refugees. Dated 14 June 1939 on his personal embossed letterhead from Princeton, Einstein writes to Fred Behr who worked on ”behalf of the refugees during Dedication Week.” Einstein continues, ”…The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years has been based to a large extent on traditions of mutual helpfulness. In these years of affliction our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test. May we stand this test as well as did our fathers before us. Single page letter measures 8.5” x 11”. Folds with one-inch split starting at top fold. Very good plus condition. Sold for $29,478.

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Albert Einstein Defends His Theory of General Relativity Two Years After He Published It — ”…L-Civita wrote a critical paper on gen[eral] rel[ativity]. I think however that he is wrong…”

Albert Einstein autograph letter signed from April 1917, with interesting content on his Theory of General Relativity, which he had published only two years prior. Einstein writes to his close friend and scientific collaborator Michele Besso, whom Einstein called “the best sounding board in Europe”; Besso was, in fact, the only individual credited in Einstein’s paper on the Theory of Special Relativity. Writing in German on Sunday, 29 April 1917, Einstein addresses a few different topics, not only General Relativity, but also quantum physics and his close friend Friedrich Adler, who had, astonishingly, recently assassinated Austrian Minister-President Karl von Sturgkh. Einstein comes to his friend’s defense, describing his personality and wondering how he could help him. Einstein writes in small part, “…Yesterday I presented a little thing about the Sommerfeld-Epstein formulation of quantum theory before the thinned ranks of our Physical Society. I want to write it up in the next few days. L[evi-]Civita wrote a critical paper on gen[eral] rel[ativity]. I think however that he is wrong…” Earlier in the letter Einstein discusses Adler, whose trial for the assassination of von Sturgkh was within days of Einstein’s letter. Einstein expresses his willingness to help Adler and examines his personality: “…A. proved himself a selfless, calm, hard-working, goodhearted, conscientious man who was highly esteemed by everybody, and that it is my heartfelt desire, therefore, to intercede for him…A. is a rather sterile rabbinical mind, obstinate, without a sense of the real. Ultra- selfless with a strong tinge of self-torture, even suicide. A real martyr-type…I just received a manuscript on relativity from him, completed within the past few days, in which, with the conviction of the prophet, he broadly expounds quite worthless subtleties, so that I am painfully caught in the dilemma of how to respond to it. I have been racking my brain about this. He keeps drawing on [Ernst] Mach’s theories to the point of exhaustion…you are much wiser about human affairs than I am…Albert”. Three page letter measures 5.5″ x 8.25″ on card-style stationery. Light creasing and horizontal fold, else near fine condition. Originally from the collection of Michele Besso. Sold for $27,500.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Rare Sigmund Freud Autograph Letter Signed on His Jewish Roots & Psychoanalysis — ”…the Freud family is said to sometime have left their hometown of Köln during a period of persecution of Jews…”

Unusually personal and autobiographical Sigmund Freud autograph letter signed, with content on Freud’s Jewish heritage and ancestry, the growth of psychoanalysis and the ”intense type of rejection” of it by psychiatrists, his marriage and children, and his professional writings and honorary degree; in essence, the whole of Freud’s life and career, as told in his own words. The content is especially important and unusual as Freud kept tight control over his autobiography, with this letter likely the most comprehensive detailing of it. He writes to fellow psychoanalyst Dr. Paul Federn, one of Freud’s earliest proteges, with Freud even dryly commenting in the beginning of his letter that his reluctance to answer Federn’s correspondence (by misplacing it) was ”most likely as a consequence of my resistance”. Dated 30 June 1913 upon his personal stationery from his home in Vienna, four-page letter reads in part,

”For several months, your communication of 04/21 had made itself untraceable – most likely as a consequence of my resistance…I was born on the 6th of May [18]56 in Freiberg /Moravia. My father and mother came from Galicia. My mother, nee Nathansohn, from Brody, of very distinguished ancestry (the Nathansohn – Kallir family), my father of the merchant class. According to tradition, as he once reported to me, the Freud family is said to sometime have left their hometown of Köln [Cologne] during a period of persecution of Jews and then to have migrated eastward…

Four page letter on two sheets, in German, measures 8.25” x 10.75”. Separations starting along folds and small amount of chipping to edges. Overall in very good condition. With full translation, and with two transmittal envelopes to Dr. Federn, both in Freud’s hand. Sold for $25,000.

Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
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Prestigious Gold Enrico Fermi Award Presented to Physicist Leon Lederman in 1992 — One of the Greatest U.S. Honors to Scientific Achievement

The Enrico Fermi Award presented to Nobel Prize-winning physicist Leon Lederman in 1992. The Fermi Award, first given in 1956, honors scientists from around the world for their lifetime achievements, with many of the recipients also winning Nobel Prizes. Medal features a relief portrait of Enrico Fermi, with his name and the years of his birth and death. ”SCIENTIA PROGRESSUS” is also engraved on front, which translates from Latin to ”the progress of science”. Verso reads: ”PRESENTED TO / LEON LEDERMAN / FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT, USE, OR CONTROL OF ATOMIC ENERGY / 1992” and is framed by the words, ”DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”. Gold-plated medal weighs 324 grams or 11.4 ounces, and measures 3” in diameter. Case measures 5.25” x 5.25” x 1.5”. Very small mark on front of medal on Fermi’s lapel. Near fine condition. With an LOA by Leon Lederman. Sold for $25,000.

Richard Feynman Quantum theory handwritten notes
Enrico Fermi Award Presented to Physicist Leon Lederman. Click to enlarge.

Rare First Edition of Sir Isaac Newton’s ”The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy” — Two Volume Set From 1729

Rare Sir Isaac Newton first edition ”The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy” in two volumes. London: Benjamin Motte, 1729. One of the most important works by the leading mind of the 18th century scientific revolution. Bound in contemporary tree calf, sympathetically rebacked, with gilt tooling to spines. Two octavo volumes measure 5.5” x 8.5” each. Volumes contain two folding letterpress tables and 47 folding engraved plates; the two frontispieces and pp. 385-393 and first 7pp. of index are replaced in facsimile, but hardly distinguishable from the original. The ”Laws of Moon’s Motion” usually found in Vol. II are here bound at end of Vol. I, and with errata for both volumes on verso of E4. Small stain to inner part of title in Vol. I, short tear to lower margin of G1, small section missing from lower margin of M3 and with lower corner cut away of A8 and C4 of ”Laws of Moon’s Motion” (no loss of text). Some marginal dampstaining and occasional soiling and spotting, overall in very good, clean condition with most edges untrimmed.  Excellent Isaac Newton first edition.  Sold for $22,500.

 Paul Ehlrich autograph
Sir Isaac Newton First Edition ”The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy”

Albert Einstein Letter Signed During WWII — ”The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive…our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test”

Albert Einstein typed letter signed during World War II, with moving content regarding helping Jewish refugees. Dated 10 June 1939 on his personal embossed letterhead from Princeton, Einstein writes to Irving Lubetkin who worked on ”behalf of the refugees during Dedication Week.” Einstein continues, ”…The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years has been based to a large extent on traditions of mutual helpfulness. In these years of affliction our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test. May we stand this test as well as did our fathers before us. Single page letter measures 8.5” x 11”. Uniform toning, folds, and two thumbtack impressions. Overall in very good condition. Sold for $22,146.

Albert Einstein autograph aphorism signed
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Richard Feynman Handwritten Diary-Style Document, Trying to Understand the Faulty Decision Making at NASA After the Challenger Disaster — “…the ‘fairyland’ feeling I get reading NASA reports…”

Richard Feynman handwritten manuscript, composed while Feynman served on the Rogers Commission to investigate the cause of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Feynman appears to try to understand the faulty decision making at NASA and Morton-Thikol that led to the disaster, writing free association on these two pages in a fascinating diary-style document. Feynman dates the document as “Sunday Mar 29, 1985″, however 29 March doesn’t fall on a Sunday in either 1985 or 1986, so it’s unclear when the document was written, although it seems to be from the time of the Rogers Commission. Two page document on a single sheet measures 8.375″ x 11”. Near fine condition. From the estate of Richard Feynman. Sold for $16,800.

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Charles Darwin Autograph Letter Signed With Evolution Related Content — ”…you had seen a dozen instances of white cats with blue eyes being deaf…”

Charles Darwin autograph letter signed with evolution related content written shortly after ”On the Origin of Species” was published. Dated 16 August (1860 or 1861), Darwin writes to his second cousin William Darwin Fox, who introduced Charles Darwin to entomology. Upon Down, Kent stationery, Darwin writes in part, ”…you had seen a dozen instances of white cats with blue eyes being deaf: how can you by an extraordinary chance remember the sex of any of them…C. Darwin”. Fox’s reply to Darwin, giving additional details on the white, blue-eyed, blind cats, is archived in the Darwin Correspondence Project. Single page letter measures 5” x 8”, with an engraving of Darwin measuring 5.5” x 8”. Uniform toning, mounting tape remnants and writing at top not in Darwin’s hand, overall very good condition. Sold for $15,000.

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Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman & the Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-51-L) Disaster: “Notes on Conference Call with Kutyna & Titan People” Dated February 10 [1986]. Two pages in green ink on 5″ x 8″ plain white notepaper. He quickly jots down various key words and phrases as they spoke, such as: “Titan, tighter tolerance, not as much joint rotation, insulation joint, no pressure check.”, “General Thermal sensitivity, This flight: any loads ? beyond norm”, “Analysis O-rings to determine differential of expansion on joints at O rings.”, “Any change in ZnCrO4 [zinc chromate] battery compound. Tested characteristics of ZnCrO4 at 51-L Temp.”, etc. A very important group of notes regarding a conversation held between the two men who discovered the real cause of the Challenger disaster. Very fine. General Donald J. Kutyna, an Air Force General, manager of the Department of Defense Space Shuttle program, and heavily involved with Titan and Atlas space boosters, was a friend and ally of Feynman’s on the Challenger commission. Kutyna was a friend of Sally Ride’s (also a commission member); she handed him (in secret) a NASA document regarding the resiliency of O-rings as a function of temperature. “I wondered how I could introduce this information Sally had given me. So I had Feynman at my house for dinner. I have a 1973 Opel GT, a really cute car. We went out to the garage, and I’m bragging about the car, but he could care less about cars. I had taken the carburetor out. And Feynman said, ‘What’s this?’ And I said, ‘Oh, just a carburetor. I’m cleaning it.’ Then I said, ‘Professor, these carburetors have O-rings in them. And when it gets cold, they leak. Do you suppose that has anything to do with our situation?’ He did not say a word. We finished the night, and the next Tuesday, at the first public meeting, is when he did his O-ring demonstration.” (Dean, Margaret Lazarus. January 28, 2016. “An Oral History Of The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster”. Popular Mechanics.)

Sold for $14,700.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Robert Hooke Autograph Document Signed — Extraordinarily Rare Document by “England’s Leonardo” & Perhaps the Only Hooke Signed Document Regarding the Great Fire of London

Robert Hooke autograph document signed from 1670, arbitrating a property dispute after the “Late dreadfull fire” that destroyed most of London in 1666. Hooke was one of the three surveyors appointed after the Great Fire of London, and this document signed by him is perhaps the only one extant concerning the fire. His autograph concerning any subject is extraordinarily rare, especially considering the extent of his interests as a natural philosopher and polymath, whose 1666 book “Micrographia” was revolutionary in advancing microscopy and cell research. Called “England’s Leonardo”, Hooke was an early member of the Royal Society, responsible for curating its lab experiments, and corresponded at great length with Isaac Newton regarding gravity. In fact, some believe that Newton actually appropriated Hooke’s ideas about gravity as his own. Sold for $12,600.

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Scarce Richard Feynman Signed First Edition, First Printing of His Memoir, ”Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!”

Very scarce Richard P. Feynman signed first edition, first printing of his memoir, ”Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman!”. Feynman signs on the half-title page, ”To Bill – Congratulations on your graduation. / Richard Feynman”. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1985. Book shows full number line on copyright page, also stating ”First Edition” as called for. In original first printing unclipped dust jacket, showing $16.95 price and two reviews on back cover. In this unconventional book by the Nobel Prize winning physicist, Feynman discusses the Manhattan Project, safe cracking, presenting as a young man in front of Albert Einstein, and much more. Book runs 350pp. and measures 5.75” x 8.5”, bound in orange cloth boards. Slight cocking to spine and light shelf wear, overall near fine. Dust jacket is slightly chipped with some sunning to spine, in very good condition. One of the few first printings signed by Feynman. Sold for $12,500.

Richard Feynman Quantum theory handwritten notes
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Richard Feynman Signed “Recommendations” of the Rogers Commission Report Investigating the Crash of the Space Shuttle Challenger

Richard Feynman signed “Recommendations”, made by the Rogers Commission to improve safety at NASA after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Signed “RP Feynman” at top right, and marked “PRIVATE (CLOSE HOLD)” at top left, these Recommendations were made at the conclusion of the official Report, which ironically, differed substantially from Feynman’s minority report critiquing NASA’s decision making and risk tolerance. The document begins by recommending that the design of the Sold Rocket Motor joint and seal (the O-rings that failed) be improved, and goes on to suggest bureaucratic and oversight changes at NASA before concluding, “The Commission strongly recommends that NASA continue to receive the support of the Administration and the nation.” Five-page report on five sheets measures 8.5″ x 14″. Folds, else near fine. From the Richard Feynman estate. Sold for $8,400.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Richard Feynman Autograph Manuscript Theoretical Physic

Richard Feynman autograph manuscript on theoretical physics, circa 1983-1984. Three page document is entitled “Conversation with Preskill”, referencing physicist John Preskill, who in 1983 joined the Caltech faculty where he is now the Director of the Institute for Quantum Information, and the Richard P. Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics. Composed in black ink on grid-ruled hole-punched paper, Feynman takes detailed notes with dozens of handwritten equations, summarizing the conversation in five main points. Five sheets included, with writing on three separate sheets and with two blank sheets. Each measures 8.5″ x 11″. Spot of discoloration to bottom of one page and light creasing, overall near fine condition. Sold for $5,250.

Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
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Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman & the Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-51-L) Disaster: First Computer Printout Draft of His “Appendix F” to the Rogers Commission Report with Handwritten Notes, as Sent to Dr. Alton G. Keel. 

Eleven pages, lightweight 8.5″ x 11″ plain paper, printed apparently on a dot matrix printer. A printed copy of the final complete “Appendix F” will be included with the lot. A real piece of Space history. Fine.

There is a cover letter to Dr. Keel as follows:

“DEAR AL,

“Here is some stuff I wrote. I don’t know if any of it is suitable for the report as is. But some of the information can guide others a bit, perhaps. Modify it, or use it, as you wish. I think it belongs mostly to Acheson’s committee of which I am a member.

“There are several things I could amplify, if there is a need. I haven’t written the AVIONICS part yet…

“If anyone needs it I could elaborate on other of the SSME problems, such as the high pressure oxygen pump turbine blades, or also on the problems with bearings, cracked sheet metal, etc. I have data but I didn’t think it too necessary to make my point in this paper.

“I shall be at Marshall working with Kutyna for the next 10 days. Call me if you have questions, suggestions or orders.

“At your service,
Dick Feynman”

Feynman closes his remarks with the following:

“Let us make recommendations to ensure that NASA deals in a world of reality in understanding technological weaknesses and imperfections well enough to be actively trying to eliminate them. They must live in reality in comparing the costs and utility of the shuttle to other methods of entering space… Only realistic flight schedules should be proposed, schedules which have a reasonable chance of being met. If in this way the government would not support them, then so be it. They owe it to the citizens from whom they ask support to be the wisest decisions for the use of their limited resources.

“For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, or it will fail. (NOTE: Feynman’s final version reads: “For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled.”)

“(PERHAPS THIS IS TOO STRONG, BUT IT IS A WORKING OUTLINE)”

Feynman sent his reports on O-rings, etc., to Keel who said he sent them out to everybody, but actually sent them to no one until Feynman found this out. After Keel attempted to edit this report, Feynman said “there was still so much missing that my report wasn’t anything like it was before.” He insisted on and succeeded in publishing this original document as “Appendix F” of the Rogers Commission Report. 

Sold for $4,600.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Scarce First Edition, First Printing Map of London Just After the Great Fire in 1666, by Wenceslaus Hollar

A very rare first printing of the post-Great Fire map of London by noted artist and engraver to the King, Wenceslaus Hollar. After the Great Fire swept across London in September 1666, destroying nearly 90% of the homes, Hollar almost immediately produced this map, titled “A MAP or GROUNDPLOT of the Citty of London”, noted for its accuracy and attention to detail. Printed in London by John Overton, 1666. Appointed by King Charles II to document the destruction, Hollar was able to quickly plot the map based on his previous but failed passion project – to produce the greatest map of London that ever existed. Hollar used those previous drawings as the basis for his post-Great Fire map, adding detail for areas that survived the fire, and foregoing details for the destroyed areas. The result was an immensely popular and well-received map that grounded Hollar’s reputation as engraver and cartographer. In this first printing – distinguished by the placement of the legend, inset map and scale of the city, Hollar documents the destruction of London, from Lincoln’s Inn Fields in the west to East Smith’s Field in the east, including the Great Tower of London, and from just south of the Thames River in the south to Bunhill Fields Burial Ground in the north. An inset to churches throughout the city “and other remarkable places” is present, as is a scale for the map. Finally, an inset map showing a larger portion of London is found at lower left, including Westminster which narrowly missed the fire’s path. Map is astonishingly complete and detailed given the speed that Hollar produced it, with printed signature appearing at bottom of inset map, “W. Hollar fecit [Latin, ‘he made’] 1666″. Map measures 14.5″ x 12”. Light toning and faint creasing, small quarter-inch closed tear at lower left margin, and spot of discoloration at mid-right margin. Mounting remnants on verso. Overall near fine condition given age. Sold for $4,383.

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Tractado de las drogas, y medicinas de las Indias Orien

Rare 1578 first edition of “Tractado de las drogas, y medicinas de las Indias Orientales” (“Treatise of the drugs and medicines of the East Indies”) by physician and naturalist Cristobal Acosta. Burgos, Spain: Martin de Victoria, 1578. Bound in original vellum boards with leather ties, rare volume is complete with all woodcuts: title page featuring a portrait of the author, 45 pages of medicinal plants and herbs, and two pages of Asian elephants. Book also features woodcut initials heading each chapter. Acosta’s tomb of therapeutic botany was highly important in its day, giving illustration to exotic plants, animals, herbs and spices from the East Indies during the Age of Exploration, including cinnamon, garlic, nutmeg, coconut, sandalwood, and pineapple, all relatively unknown to Europe at the time. There is even a chapter on opium (“muy usual, y necessaria”), and a chapter on Asian elephants, then described for the first time in a scientific publication. Book measures 5.5″ x 7.375″. Some faint dampstaining, worming to several pages towards the end, and expected age wear. Overall very good plus condition. Sold for $3,900.

Henry Gray Anatomy Descriptive and Surgical 1858 1st edition
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Max Planck Autograph Letter Signed, Musing on the First Law of Thermodynamics — ”…Mayer had burst into his room exclaiming…that water could be warmed by means of vigorous shaking…”

Lively autograph letter signed by Nobel winning quantum physicist pioneer Max Planck, who writes to fellow physicist Paul Epstein. Dated 19 January 1938, Planck muses on the first law of thermodynamics (before it was recognized as such), responding to Epstein’s mention of the 18th century scientist Albrecht von Haller learning that liquid warms by shaking. On Planck’s personal stationery, letter in German reads in full, ”Dear Doctor! / Your kind letter of the 17th of this month and the attached article on the background of the first fundamental theorem gave me great pleasure, for which I thank you sincerely. Concerning the content of your essay, your mentioning of [Albrecht von] Haller’s finding that ‘water, as well as milk, when moved vigorously, could reach a certain degree of warmth,’ was of particular interest to me. I remember exactly one of the stories told by my teacher in Munich, Philipp [von] Jolly, who was personally acquainted with J. R. [Julius Robert von] Mayer, relating that one day Mayer had burst into his room exclaiming, full of a discoverer’s joy, that water could be warmed by means of vigorous shaking. So someone else had already arrived there first after all. / But your letter made me happy in personal terms as well, since it was the first direct sign of life from you after some time. I am in awe about how much, considering your weakened physical condition, particularly with respect to your vision, you are still able to achieve. Many would envy even your firm handwriting. May this mental acuity remain with you during the new year as well. Very warm regards. / Yours respectfully, / M. Planck”. Two page letter on a single sheet measures 5.875” x 7”. Single fold, staple puncture and light toning. Very good condition. Sold for $2,500.

Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed
Max Planck Autograph Letter Signed, Musing on the First Law of Thermodynamics. Click to enlarge.

Harvey Cushing / W. Osler Signed Rare Book

Well-known 19th century French surgeon, Alfred-Armand-Louis-Marie Velpeau’s, “A Treatise on The Diseases of the Breast and Mammory Region.” London: Printed for the Sydenham Society: 1756. Rare book translated from French by Mitchell Henry. Dedicated from esteemed diagnostician Sir William Osler to Harvey Cushing. Cushing, mentored by Osler, won the 1926 Pulitzer Prize for his book on Osler. He passed the edition onto successor Elliot Cutler, who forwarded it to Richard Warren. All were Harvard doctors. Rare Osler-to-Cushing dedication. Sold for $1,353.

Harvey Cushing / W. Osler Signed Rare Book. Click to enlarge.
Harvey Cushing / W. Osler Signed Rare Book.

Nobel Prize Winning Physicist Hendrik Antoon Lorentz Writes a Letter of Recommendation for Fellow Physicist Paul Epstein — ”He has especially contributed to the development of the quantum theory”

Hendrik Antoon Lorentz autograph letter signed, dated 15 August 1921 from Haarlem, Netherlands where he taught at the University of Leiden. The Nobel Prize winning physicist writes a letter of recommendation for fellow physicist Paul Sophus Epstein, reading in part, ”Dr. Paul S. Epstein’s scientific work has given me the impression that he is one of the very best of young physicists. He combines great mathematical skill with a keen understanding of physical problems and has obtained results that will undoubtedly be of lasting value. / He has especially contributed to the development of the quantum theory…Indeed, whereas the older theories of light and electricity were unable to account for the effect discovered by Stark, the splitting of spectral lines by the action of electric force, Epstein succeeded in giving a full and highly satisfactory explanation of this phenomenon…following the principles underlying Bohr’s theory of spectra, he deduced not only the great number of components observed with many spectral lines, but also the absolute values of their mutual distances…I have come to appreciate very much his vast knowledge of the facts and theories of modern physics…H.A. Lorentz”. Later in 1921, Epstein was recruited to teach at Caltech, where he remained the rest of his career. Two page letter on bifolium stationery measures 8.5” x 10.75”. Folds and a few chips to edges, else near fine condition. Sold for $1,063.

William Osler typed letter signed
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Svante Arrhenius autograph letter signed

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