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.”

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 10^th 1807”.

JOHN DALTON TO HIS FORMER SCHOOL MASTER,  JOHN FLETCHER, THE PERSON WHOM ENCOURAGED DALTON’S EARLIEST INVESTIGATIONS AND HIS STUDY OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE

DALTON, JOHN.  (1766-1844).  British chemist, physicist, and pioneer meteorologist; best known for introducing the atomic theory into chemistry, and for his research into color blindness, sometimes referred to as Daltonism;   published “On the Absorption of Gases by Water and other Liquids” (first read as a lecture on 21 October 1803, first published in 1805) — which contained his law of partial pressures now known as Dalton’s law.   Exceedingly Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “John Dalton”.  Two full pages, quarto.  Manchester, February 9, 1822.  Fine condition.  

EXTREMELY-RARE SIGNED DARWIN PHOTOGRAPH  —  ALSO SIGNED ON THE VERSO BY CONTROVERSIAL PHOTOGRAPHER OSCAR REJLANDER, WHO TOOK THIS CDV IMAGE AND WHOSE PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATED DARWIN’S THE EXPRESSION OF THE EMOTIONS IN MAN AND ANIMALS

DARWIN, CHARLES. (1809-82). British scientist and founder of evolutionary theory.  Superb and Exceedingly-rare Signed Carte-de-Visite Photograph.  Darwin is depicted [in a clear 1^st generation print], showing him seated in 1/2 length pose, facing right, with his hands clasped in front of him. Boldly signed on the lower margin, “Charles Darwin.” No place, [London]. No date  [circa 1871]. Also signed on the verso by OSCAR GUSTAVE REJLANDER (1813-  1875), the Victorian art photographer, who took this photograph: “O.G. Rejlander / 1 Albert Mansions, / Victoria Street S.W.”