SCIENCE
OPPENHEIMER TO LILIENTHAL — HIS BOOK: THE FLYING TRAPESE: THREE CRISES FOR THE PHYSICIST – INTIMATELY INSCRIBED: “WITH AN OLD, CONSTANT AND GRATEFUL LOVE, ROBERT”.
OPPENHEIMER, ROBERT J. (1904 –1967) American theoretical physicist; director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II; credited as the “father of the atomic bomb” for his role in the Manhattan Project, the research and development project that was responsible for the first nuclear weapons. His book: The Flying Trapeze: Three Crises for the Physicist. 1964, Oxford University Press, London. Red cloth covered boards. Octavo, 65 pages. Very fine condition. Inscribed on half title page: “with an old, constant and grateful love, Robert”.
THE NOTED ASTRONOMER, HERSCHEL, REVEALS THAT: “I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE IN THE USE OF MICROSCOPES”
HERSCHEL, SIR JOHN FREDERICK WILLIAM. (1792-1871). British mathematician, astronomer, and inventor; known for his discoveries related to the moons of Saturn and Uranus and for his pioneering work in early photographic processes, including coining the word ‘photography’ itself; President of the Royal Astronomical Society. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed “J. F. W. Herschel”. One page, octavo. No place, no date.
SCARCE ALS OF THE DEVELOPER OF THE BUNSEN BURNER ~~ A NAME KNOWN TO EVERY STUDENT WHO HAS EVER TAKEN A CHEMISTY CLASS!
BUNSEN, ROBERT WILHELM. (1811-99). German chemist; discovered the elements cesium and rubidium; developed the laboratory burner that now bears his name. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “R.W. Bunsen”, in German. Two pages, octavo. Heidelberg, November 14, 1852. Very fine condition.
A FASCINATING LOOK INTO THE LESIURE AND SAILING ACTIVITIES OF LORD KELVIN
THOMSON, WILLIAM. (1824-1906). First Baron Kelvin; Irish and British mathematical physicist and engineer from which we get the Kelvin measure. Uncommon and lengthy, Autograph Letter Signed “William Thomson” on black bordered The Athenaeum impressed stationery. Eleven very full pages, octavo. [No place], May 10, 1871.
PETER M. ROGET AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS THESAURUS THAT BEARS HIS NAME COLLABORATES WITH PHYSICIST MICHAEL FARADAY
ROGET, PETER M. (1779-1869). English scholar and physician; best known for compiling the famous Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases; Secretary of the Royal Society (1827-1849); Fullerian professor of physiology at Royal Society. Noteworthy, and a superb association Autograph Letter Signed, “P. M. Roget”. Three pages, quarto. London, November 25, 1837.
GEORGE WASHINGTON GOETHALS ~ THE CHIEF ENGINEER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PANAMA CANAL
GOETHALS, GEORGE WASHINGTON. (1858-1928) U.S. Army officer and Civil Engineer; best known for his administration and supervision of the construction and the opening of the Panama Canal. Uncommon Typed Letter Signed, “G. W. Goethals,” on Isthmian Canal Commission letterhead. One page, quarto. Culebra. December 4, 1913. Fine condition.
DR. WILLIAM GORGAS — THE PHYSICIAN WHOSE WORK IN CONTROLLING MALARIA AND YELLOW FEVER MADE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PANAMA CANAL POSSIBLE
GORGAS, WILLIAM C. (1854-1920). Army physician and Surgeon General of the United States Army; best known for his work combating the transmission of yellow fever and malaria by controlling the mosquitoes that carry them; his strategy was greeted with considerable skepticism and opposition to such hygiene measures; the measures he put into practice as the head of the Panama Canal Zone Sanitation Commission saved thousands of lives and contributed to the success of the Canal’s construction. Surprisingly uncommon Typed Letter Signed, “W.C. Gorgas,” on War Department, Office of the Surgeon General letterhead. One page, quarto. Washington March 31, 1916. Very fine condition.