“THE BARRIER OF PANAMA IS GOING TO FALL, AS FELL THE BARRIER OF EGYPT, BECAUSE THE MOMENT HAS COME IN THE MARCH OF HUMANITY WHEN THIS OBSTACLE MAY NO LONGER REMAIN STANDING.”
LESSEPS, FERDINAND de. (1805-1894). French diplomat and engineer; designer of the Suez Canal. Superb Manuscript Letter Signed, “Ferd. De Lesseps”, on imprinted Compagnie Universelle du Canal Interoceanique letterhead. Four pages, quarto. “46, Rue Caumartin, Paris”, November 11, 1885.
A DOCUMENT FROM LINCOLN’S DAYS ON THE ILLINOIS CIRCUIT COURT, ONCE OWNED BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER DAVID LLOYD GEORGE
LINCOLN, ABRAHAM. (1809-1865). Sixteenth President of the United States (1861-1865). Autograph Document Signed, “Lincoln & Herndon p.q.” One full page, folio.
GANDHI — SPEAKING ON THE SALT RIOTS AND SOCIAL REVOLUTION IN INDIA!
GANDHI, MONHANDAS KARAMCHAND. (1869-1948). Considered the father of the Indian Independence movement; created his concept of satyagraha, a non-violent way of protesting against injustices; returned to India in 1914 to found and lead the Indian independence movement. An exceedingly-scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “your sincere, old friend /M.K. Gandhi”. Two full pages, quarto, in pencil. “Ahmedabad, 25th February [no year, but circa 1930].
JOHN HANCOCK — AS PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS — IN PHILADELPHIA — IN 1776! SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN BOSTON AFTER THE BRITISH EVACUATION & INQUIRES ABOUT THE FLEDGLING AMERICAN NAVY WHILE SENDING ALONG PRIVATEEERS COMMISSIONS
HANCOCK, JOHN. (1737-1793) President of the Continental Congress and of the Congress of the Confederation; first Governor of Massachusetts; first signer of the Declaration of Independence. Historic, apparently unpublished, Autograph Letter Signed, “John Hancock” [with paraph], as President of the Continental Congress. One full page, quarto. Philadelphia, April 12, 1776.
ALBERT EINSTEIN AND THOMAS MANN — COME TOGETHER TO RAISE FUNDS FOR REFUGEES FLEEING FROM EUROPE IN 1938
“IN OUR TIME, IT BECOMES PARTICULARLY CLEAR THAT HUMANITY AND READINESS TO SERVE MEAN MORE TO SOCIETY THAN ALL WISDOM AND TECHNICAL PROGRESS. THE POSSESSION OF POWER AS A TOOL IS LESS DECISIVE THAN THE DIRECTED IDEA IN WHICH IT IS USED.”
EINSTEIN, ALBERT. (1879-1955) Theoretical Physicist. [and] MANN, THOMAS (1875-1955) German novelist, short story writer, and Nobel laureate. An exceedingly-rare specially bound booklet entitled: “g-o-i-n-g, G-O-I-N-G, GONE! Rare Book Auction”, being a listing of collectable books and autographs gathered to be sold for the cause. Signed by each author at the conclusion of their remarks.
DARWIN DIRECTS THAT HARVARD PROFESSOR ASA GRAY IS TO RECEIVE UNBOUND SHEETS OF HIS: ORIGIN OF SPECIES
DARWIN, CHARLES. (1809-1882). British naturalist who advanced the idea of evolution. A Superb, and apparently unpublished, Autograph Letter Signed, “Ch. Darwin.” Three pages, octavo. “4 Chester Place, Regents Park”, “Monday”, no year but circa 1860.
WHEATSTONE BUILDS AND SELLS HIS: ELECTRO-MAGNETIC CHRONOSCOPE, A DEVICE CAPABLE OF MEASURING TIME DOWN TO 1/7300 OF A SECOND — IN 1843!
WHEATSTONE, CHARLES. (1802-1875). Scientist and inventor, a major figure in the development of electric telegraphy. Good scientific Autograph Letter Signed, “C. Wheatstone”. One full page, octavo. “20 Conduit St., [London], March 27, 1843”.