SCIENCE
THE ASTRONOMER ROYAL SIGHTS A COMET! ~~ “ON SUNDAY NIGHT THE 8TH INSTANT, A COMET EQUAL IN LIGHT TO A STAR OF THE FOURTH MAGNITUDE, WITH A LARGE COMA, BUT NO NUCLEUS OR TAIL, WAS OBSERVED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY AT GREENWICH”.
MASKELYNE, NEVIL. (1732-1811). English astronomer. Significant Autograph Letter Signed, “N. Maskelyne”, accompanied by a holograph article for inclusion in the next day’s daily paper penned under Maskelyne’s statement. One page, quarto. Greenwich, December 9, 1805.
IN 1948, JUST A SHORT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE FOUNDING OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL, EINSTEIN WRITES TO A POST-HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR STAYING IN AN AMERICAN-JEWISH DISTRIBUTION CAMP IN CYPRUS, WHILE AWAITING HIS RESETTLEMENT IN THE NEW ISRAELI STATE, AND ACKNOWLEDGES:
“WE ALL OWE THE SMALL HEROIC GROUP OF OUR BROTHERS IN ISRAEL GRATITUDE AND ADMIRATION BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACHIEVED ON THEIR OWN THAT WHICH IS THEIRS BY RIGHT”
EINSTEIN, ALBERT. (1879-1955). Theoretical physicist; Developed the general theory of relativity. Outstanding Typed Letter Signed “A. Einstein”. 1 1/4 pages, quarto. [No place], November 24, 1948. In German. To Siegfried Hessing, Polish writer and Jewish Internee in Famagusta, Cyprus. Addressed to “Camp 67 Bg c/o A.J.D.C.”, a post-Holocaust location where Jews were awaiting permission to enter the new nation of Israel.
ALBERT EINSTEIN : PHILOSOPHER-SCIENTIST ~~ COPY # 7 OF THE LIMITED SIGNED EDITION
EINSTEIN, ALBERT (1879-1955) Theoretical physicist. The book: Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist, boldly Signed on the limitation page “Albert Einstein 49.” Copy 7 of 760. [The first 10 copies were reserved for special presentations.] The Library of Living Philosophers, Evanston Illinois. Small quarto, top edge gilt, 779 pages, 1949. Additionally inscribed and signed on half title page by Paul Arthur Schilpp [the editor]: “To Dr. Barnaby C. Keeny, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, with the sincere gratitude and appreciation of Paul A. Schilpp. Summer 1969”.
JOSEPH BARTLETT PENS A LETTER ON HIS STUNNING BARTLETT STREET LAMP COMPANY LETTERHEAD
BARTLETT, JOSEPH WEATHERBY. (1835-1902). American inventor of both sewing machines and street lamps; received patents on sewing machines in 1865, 1868, and manufacturer of Bartlett Street Lamps [circa 1870]; his economical street lamps were used throughout New York City as well as in Troy, New York. Exceedingly scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “J.W. Bartlett,” on his fabulous illustrated Office of Bartlett’s Reflecting Boulevard, Street & Park Lamps letterhead. Two separate pages, octavo. “619 Broadway, N.Y.” “Nov[ember] 11, 1876.”
THOMAS EDISON TAKES A CRUISE WITH HIS CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE EDISON COMPANIES AND SIGNS THE LUNCHEON MENU
EDISON, THOMAS A. (1847-1931) American inventor of the light bulb. His bold ‘umbrella’ signature, “Thomas A. Edison,” in pencil, on the verso of an octavo menu for an: “Edison Jobbers Excursion on Board Steamer ‘Cepheus’ New York to West Point, Thursday, July 19, 1906” luncheon.
SIR HUMPHREY DAVY SENDS THE ADDRESS OF SIR THOMAS BERNARD, NOTED PHILANTHROPIST, TO SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, THE BRITISH POET AND PHILOSOPHER
DAVY, SIR HUMPHREY (1778-1829) British chemist and inventor. Autograph Note Signed, “H. Davy.” One page, octavo. No place. “June 10th 1807”.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN — AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OVERSEES THE INDUCTION OF EDWARD PENNINGTON, A LEADING PHILADELPHIA QUAKER MERCHANT, WHO WILL FIND HIMSELF HELD PRISONER DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION FOR HIS REFUSAL TO SUPPORT THE WAR AGAINST BRITAIN
FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN. (1706-1790) Founding Father of the United States, author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, statesman, and diplomat. Scarce Partially-Printed Document Signed, “B. Franklin,” as President of The American Philosophical Society. One page, large oblong folio. Philadelphia. January 20, 1780.