rare

“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. 

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.

A LAW BOOK FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON’S LIBRARY WITH HIS CLASSIC BOOK OWNERSHIP SIGNATURE  —  PURCHASED BY HIM IN 1775 FROM PEYTON RANDOLPH’S ESTATE AND ALMOST CERTAINLY REVIEWED BY HIM DURING HIS WRITING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

JEFFERSON, THOMAS.  (1743-1826).  Third President of the United States (1801-1809) and author of the Declaration of Independence.  Thomas Jefferson’s copy of Sir John Davies’”Le Premier Report des Cases & Matters en Ley resolves adiudges en les Cours del Roy en Ireland, DUBLIN, Printed by John Franckton Printer to the Kings most excellent Maiestie.  Anno.1615.”  The first book on Irish case law.

CHOPIN SELLS THE COPYRIGHTS TO HIS ~~  2nd GRANDE SONATA

AND HIS LA BERCEUSE

CHOPIN, FREDERIC.  (1810-1849).  Polish composer and pianist, noted for his lyric compositions for piano, including 55 mazurkas, 13 polonaises, 24 preludes, 27 etudes, 19 nocturnes, 4 ballades and 4 scherzos.  Remarkable and Very Rare Partly Printed Document Signed, “Frederic Chopin,” in English.  One page, quarto.  Paris, May 2, 1845. 

SIGNED CARTE-DE-VISITE PHOTOGRAPH OF FRANZ LISZT

LISZT, FRANZ (1811-1886).   Hungarian Romantic era composer, piano virtuoso, and teacher.  An attractive carte-de-visite Photograph, depicting Liszt in a dramatic pose, standing aside a music stand and boldly Signed,  “F. Liszt.”

VOLTAIRE  —  IN 1774  — CERTIFYING THE OWNERSHIP OF A SURGEON’S SURGERY

VOLTAIRE  — nom de plume of:   FRANCOIS-MARIE AROUET. (1694-1778)   French essayist and philosopher.    Very-scarce Manuscript Note Signed, ”Voltaire.”, in French.  One page, small octavo. Ferney, October 2, 1774.   

MAX PLANCK – NOBEL PRZE WINNING PHYSICIST — QUANTUM THEORY

PLANCK, MAX.  (1858–1947).  Nobel Prize winning German physicist who pioneered the understanding of quantum theory.  Typed Letter Signed “Planck” on Der Prasident de Kaiser  [The President / of the Emperor Wihelm Society],  [Germany] imprinted letterhead. One page, quarto. July 27, 1932.