Scientists and Inventors |
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1. LOUIS AGASSIZ (1807-1873). |
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| Swiss-born scientist, respected for his work in natural history. Member of the French Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society, and virtually every other European and American scientific organization. Manuscript document requesting the release from a warehouse of a quantity of alcohol “for the sole and exclusive purpose of preserving specimens of natural history.” Addressed to the US Secretary of the Treasury, dated April 5, 1873, and signed by Agassiz as Director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. $135.00 | |||
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2. LUTHER BURBANK (1849-1926). |
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| Plant breeder. Influenced by the ideas of Darwin, he conducted over fifty years of successful plant breeding experiments. Signed and inscribed card, "Your friend, Luther Burbank, Santa Rosa, Calif., Aug. 28th, 1922." Beautiful large and bold signature. SOLD | |||
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3. SAMUEL COLT (1814-1862). |
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| Pioneering firearms inventor, designer of the first practical revolver, which he patented in 1836. Manuscript letter written to Colt by Dudley Seldon offering to pay a bill on Colt’s behalf, and suggesting he draw up an order on the reverse of the letter, which Colt has done. On the back of the letter is a pay order written and signed by Colt for $164.50, payable to Captain John Johnston. The letter is dated January 9, 1836, and the pay order is signed “Sam’l Colt.” An interesting and unusual Colt item from his early career. $2800.00 | |||
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4. GEORGE EASTMAN (1854-1932). |
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| Photographic pioneer, inventor of the “Kodak,” the first hand-held, celluloid film camera in 1888. Signature on paper, “Geo. Eastman.” $185.00 | |||
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5. THOMAS A. EDISON (1847-1931). |
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| Inventor, businessman. Invented the phonograph, developed the electric light bulb and the motion picture projector. Five-page legal document of the Edison Storage Battery Company concerning proxy voting. Page two empowers Edison’s son Charles to act on his father’s behalf. Boldly signed with Edison’s famous umbrella signature. Dated September 5, 1919. SOLD | |||
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6. THOMAS A. EDISON (1847-1931). |
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| Typed document of the Edison Storage Battery Company concerning proxy voting. The proxy empowers Edison’s son Charles to act on his father’s behalf at the annual shareholders’ meeting – the first such meeting after the great stock market crash a few weeks earlier. Boldly signed with an especially fine example of Edison’s famous “umbrella” signature. Dated October 31, 1929. $1100.00 | |||
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7. THOMAS A. EDISON (1847-1931). |
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| Inventor, businessman. Invented the phonograph, developed the electric light bulb and the motion picture projector. Typed letter of resignation from an employee of Thomas A. Edison Inc., dated August 27, 1924, addressed to Charles Edison. Charles has commented and forwarded the letter to his father, writing “T.A.E., This obviates the necessity of firing him.” Thomas Edison has added below, “Yes - Dead one. E.” An intriguing glimpse inside Edison’s pioneer research laboratory. $1050.00 | |||
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8. CYRUS H. McCORMICK (1809-1884). |
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| American inventor, developed the first practical reaping machine in 1831, which was enormously important for agricultural development world-wide. Among other honors, he was made an officer of the French Legion of Honor. Check drawn on the Importers and Traders National Bank for $3900.00, payable to Jesse Hoyt. Dated May 4, 1868, and signed "C. H. McCormick." $475.00 SOLD | |||
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9. FRANCIS BARBER OGDEN (1783-1857). |
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| American inventor, Aide-de-Camp to Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. He was a pioneer in the field of nautical steam engines - in 1837 the first boat powered by a screw propeller was named in his honor. Partially printed consular document concerning a shipload of goods bound for Philadelphia from Liverpool, where Ogden was US Consul. Dated September 19, 1834, and signed “Fras B. Ogden.” $55.00 | |||
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10. ALBERT SCHWEITZER (1875-1965). |
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| Alsatian physician and humanitarian, noted for his extensive medical missionary work in Africa. Manuscript letter entirely in Schweitzer’s hand, dated February 12, 1952, from his jungle clinic in Lambarene. In French, not translated. Signed in full “Albert Schweitzer.” SOLD | |||
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11. (SHARP’S RIFLE COMPANY). |
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| Fine, engraved check of the famed Sharp’s Rifle Company, maker of the hugely popular repeating firearms that aided the Union war effort and helped win the West. Interestingly, this check for $530 is payable to A. S. Winchester! Dated January 14, 1880, and signed by Sharp’s Vice-president Ely Westcott. $185.00 SOLD | |||
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12. CHARLES P. STEINMETZ (1865-1923). |
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| Renowned mathematician, electrical engineer and inventor. Noted for his pioneering work in artificial lightning, and in alternating current electricity. Check drawn on the Schenectady Trust Company of New York for $309.00, payable to W. Wellman. Dated August 8, 1904, and elegantly signed "Charles P. Steinmetz." $275.00 SOLD | |||