science

JAMES MADISON, CAESAR RODNEY AND ROBERT SMITH — A VERY EARLY ‘LETTERS PATENT’ ISSUED FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN “THE STEAM STILL” — USED IN 18/19^TH CENTRY WHISKEY AND SPIRIT PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES

MADISON, JAMES.  (1751-1836).  Fourth President of the United States (1809-1817).  Partly-printed Document Signed, “James Madison”, as President, and countersigned by ROBERT SMITH as Secretary of State. Additionally signed by CAESAR RODNEY, Attorney General of the United States.   Madison’s and Smith signatures are dark and boldly penned.  Rodney’s is light, but readable.   

JULES VERNE  —  AN ATTRACTIVE AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED IN FRENCH — SENDING HIS BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR [1885]

VERNE, JULES (1828-1905)  French author;  pioneered the science-fiction genre;  best known for his novels: A Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1872). Uncommon Autograph Note Signed, “Jules Verne,” in French.  ’16 Dcbr [18]84′.  One full page, 16mo . 

JAMES MONROE  —   CERTIFIES THE PATENT FOR DANIEL PETTIBONE’S  “RARIFYING AIR STOVE FOR WARMING ROOMS”   ACCOMPANIED BY A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE AND MULTIPLE DRAWINGS OF THE FURNACE, BY PETTIBONE

MONROE, JAMES.  (1758-1831).  Fifth President of the United States. Partially-Printed Document Signed, “Ja[me]s Monroe”, as Secretary of State in James Madison’s cabinet.  One full page, quarto.  Washington. October 14, 1813. 

ROBERT E. PEARY, THE FIRST MAN TO CLAIM TO HAVE REACHED THE NORTH POLE,  PROTECTS HIS PUBLICATION RIGHTS TO HIS BOOK: ”THE LURE OF THE POLE”

PEARY, ROBERT, E. (1856-1920) Rear Admiral, North Pole Explorer. Document Signed “R. E. Peary”. One page, oblong octavo. May 8, 1905.

ALAN BEAN, THE 4^TH MAN TO WALK ON THE MOON INSCRIBES AN ICONIC APOLLO 12 IMAGE OF THE LUNAR LANDER MODULE ASCENDING THE MOON’S SURFACE  — 

Choice original 1^st generation NASA color photograph of the lunar module leaving the moon’s surface. Oblong quarto. No place. [Texas?] No date [circa 1970].   Signed, “Alan Bean” on the photographic surface, in lower right corner.  The photograph is mounted to a larger piece of photographer’s backing and is wonderfully further inscribed on the wide lower margin:  “To Rooster- Flying to the Moon is like throwing a long forward pass – You have to lead it just the right amount- It worked for us.”

SIR HUMPHRY DAVY  —  NOTES THE DANGERS OF MERCURY POISONING AND HIS ’VAIN’ ATTEMPT AT FLY-FISHING

DAVY, SIR HUMPHRY.  (1778-1829).  British chemist, best known for his experiments in electrochemistry and for his invention of the miner’s safety lamp.  Good Autograph Letter Signed, “H. Davy”.  Four pages, octavo.  “Monday”.  Fine condition.  To “My dear Lord [Holland]”. 

A MOST INTERESTING COLLECTION OF CONGRATULATORY LETTERS UPON A TESTIMONIAL DINNER FOR AMBROSE SWASEY, A LEADING SCIENTIST AND INVENTOR THAT INCLUDES LETTERS FROM ORVILLE WRIGHT AND THOMAS EDISON AND MANY MORE OF THE LEADING SCIENTIFIC / INDUSTRIAL MINDS OF THE EARLY 20^TH CENTURY

ORVILLE WRIGHT —  Typed Letter Singed, “Orville Wright,” on his name-imprinted letter head. One page, quarto.  May 12, 1929.

THOMAS EDISON —  Typed Letter Signed, “Thos. A Edison,” on his name-imprinted “From the Laboratory of” stationery. One page, octavo. May 6, 1926.