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1. ANFINSEN, Christian B. (1916-95). Signature and Inscription.
This noted American chemist shared the 1972 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work on enzyme ribonuclease. Bold "Best regards" and full signature in blue ballpoint, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1977 November 8. Fine. With original envelope. A superb example.
Price: $30.00

2. BAIN, H. Foster (1871-1948). Autograph Letter Signed.
The internationally reknowned geologist and mining engineer authored numerous books ("Alaska's Minerals as a Basis for Industry," "More Recent Cyanide Practice," "Ores & Industry in the Far East"); he served as first chief of the Illinois State Geological Survey and as director of the United States Bureau of Mines. ALS, 1p, 8½" X 11", Columbus, OH, 1944 March 28. Addressed to J. Robert Van Pelt of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. Near fine. Smudge at upper right corner (not affecting text). On letterhead of "Battelle Memorial Institute," Bain arranges a date "to meet with the Chicago section once more... In these war times it is not always possible to keep appointments made so far ahead.... As for title for the talk, how would this do? 'The Place of Philippine Mines in the Far Eastern Future' or 'Ores and Industry in the Philippines' or 'One Mining Man's experiences in the Philippines in War time'...." Bold and attractive. It was while in the Philippines that Bain died. A handsome example.
Price: $75.00

3. BARDEEN, John (1908-91). Signed First Day Cover.
Not only did this American physicist help develop the transistor, for which he shared the 1956 Nobel Prize for physics, but his help in developing a theory of superconductivity earned him a second shared Nobel Prize (1972). Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in New York, NY, on July 10, 1973 and with "First Day of Issue" noted. Fine. Eight-cent "Progress in Electronics" stamp, with decorative Art Craft cachet at left featuring portraits of Walter Brattain, William Shockley and Bardeen. No distracting recipient's name/address in address portion -- just Bardeen's bold signature in blue ballpoint on the "sweet spot." Choice and handsome. Small portion of original transmittal envelope (cancelled on August 7, 1973) also present.
Price: $75.00

4. BARRY, Patrick (1816-90). Signature and Salutation.
This Irish-born pioneer horticulturist and pomologist became owner of the largest nursery in the United States; he edited the influential "Genessee Farmer" (1844-52) and in 1851 published his important "Treatise on the Fruit Garden." Clipped "Sincerely yours / P. Barry" penned large and bold in brown ink, 3" X 1¼" (tipped to heavy card), n.p., n.y. Very good. An attractive example from this horticultural giant.
Price: $50.00

5. BARTON, Derek (1918-98). Signature.
English organic chemist who shared the 1969 Nobel Price in chemistry for discovering and researching conformational analysis. Large, bold signature in black fineline, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1983 September 10. Fine. With original envelope.
Price: $35.00

6. BATTISTA, Orlando A. (1917-?). Signed First Day Cover.
This Canadian-American chemist-inventor and author is credited with a wide range of inventions; he held 58 U.S. patents and 450 foreign patents, among them a microcrystalline cellulose for pharmaceutical use and a microcrystalline collagen. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Cincinnati, Ohio on November 10, 1972 with "First Day of Issue" noted. Fine. FDC for the 8-cent "Pharmacy" stamp. No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient's name/address present. Much of the front side, except for the stamp and cancellation, is filled with a typed biographical statement about Battista, as follows: "The Battista boy liked the idea of writing letters to tell major corporations how to improve their products. In the 1930's, he told a chewing gum company it should coat the sticks with starch so they couldn't stick to the paper in hot weather. In 1955 while working on an idea to make a better rayon tire cord to compete with nylon, he came up with a water suspension of cellulose crystals. 'The resulting product is still "revolutionary"', Battista said. He stayed at Princeton until 1970, and in those days came up with a micro-crystalline collagen. This led to the creation of the Avitene hemostat, which uses collagen, and is now used in every operating room across the nation." Below this, on the cover's lower margin, the scientist boldly inscribes and signs in black ballpoint: "Wishing Paul Johnston every / success / Orlando A. Battista / 10/31/79." Attractive and most unusual.
Price: $75.00

7. BELL, Alexander Melville (1819-1905). Autograph Note Signed.
This Scottish-American educator and scientist, best known as the father of inventor Alexander Graham Bell, authored texts on vocal physiology and elocution; he devised a visible alphabet, with symbols representing every sound of the human voice; he specialized in educating deaf-mutes, an interest that his son inherited and further developed. ANS, 1p, 4 3/4" X 8", Washington, DC, 1898 April 4. Addressed to Mrs. Lincoln (possibly Mary Harlan Lincoln, 1847-1937, wife of Robert Todd Lincoln). Near fine. On blind-embossed "1525 35th Street / West Washington, D.C." lined letterhead, Bell arranges a meeting: "I shall be glad to see you on Friday at 12 oclock if that time will be convenient for you...." Bold and attractive. Rather uncommon.
Price: $295.00

8. BELL, Persa Raymond (1914-2001). Signed First Day Cover.
This reknowned physicist and nuclear medicine pioneer served the Oak Ridge National Laboratory from 1946 to 1978, except for a period at NASA's Lunar Receiving Laboratory, where he was in charge of analyzing Apollo moon mission samples. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Washington, DC on 1969 September 9 (and with additional July 20, 1969 "Moon Landing" cancellation) and with "First Day of Issue" boldly stamped. Single 10-cent "First Man on the Moon" stamp at upper right. Fine. At lower left, in black ballpoint, he signs boldly: "P.R. Bell / Manager, Lunar Receiving / Laboratory / MSC Houston." With original transmittal envelope. Handsome and uncommon.
Price: $75.00

9. BERGMANN, Peter G. (1915-2002). Signed First Day Cover.
In 1936 this German physicist joined Albert Einstein at Princeton's Institute of Advanced Study, becoming a valued assistant and collaborator in constructing the unified field theory; it was he who authored the first textbook on general relativity, "Introduction to the Theory of Relativity," for which Einstein provided an introduction; at Syracuse University from 1947 to 1982, he remained the leading proponent of Einstein's theories. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled at Princeton, NJ, on March 4, 1979 and with "First Day of Issue" marked. Near fine. Single 15-cent "Einstein" stamp. No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient's name/address present. Bergmann's tiny, precise full signature in black ballpoint occupies the "sweet spot." Most unusual autograph from this unsung hero of relativity. Small portion of original transmittal envelope present.
Price: $75.00

10. BERRY, Charles A. (?-?). Signed First Day Cover.
This flight surgeon to the astronauts was a U.S. Air Force surgeon, and in the 1960s was MSC Chief of Center Medical Programs. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Huntsville, Alabama, on August 2, 1971 and marked "First Day of Issue." Fine. No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient name/address present. Two 8-cent "United States in Space" and "A Decade of Achievement" stamps, and in the "sweet spot" Berry signs boldly in black fineline.
Price: $50.00

11. BLACKETT, Patrick M.S. (1897-1974). Signature.
British physicist who researched cosmic rays and helped discover the positron; winner of the 1948 Nobel Prize for physics. Signature (dated 1968 February 16 in another hand) on a special heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. [London, England]. With original envelope.
Price: $35.00

12. BLOCH, Konrad (1912-2000). Signature.
German-American biochemist and long-time Harvard University educator who shared the 1964 Nobel Price in medicine for his research on how the body produces cholesterol. Bold sloppy signature in blue ballpoint, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1967 May 14. Fine. With original envelope.
Price: $40.00

13. BOWDITCH, Nathaniel (1773-1838). Autograph Note Signed.
Influential American astronomer and mathematician who prepared the popular "New American Practical Navigator" (1802) and translated and enlarged Laplace's "Celestial Mechanics" (1829-39). ANS, 1p, 7½" X 5½", Boston, MA, 1827 November 16. Addressed to C.M. Enderell. Very good. Minor archival repairs on verso. To a friend in Salem, MA, where Bowditch did most of his scientific work, he acknowledges receipt of a dividend (he was actuary of the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company at the time). Scarce.
Price: $395.00

14. BOYLE, James E. (1873-1938). Typed Letter Signed.
This noted agricultural economist authored studies such as "The Financial History of Kansas" (1908), "Speculation and the Chicago Board of Trade" (1929), "Cotton and the New Orleans Cotton Exchange" (1934), among others. TLS, 1p, 8" X 10½", Ithaca, NY, 1937 August 6. Addressed to Owen Davies. Near fine. "I note that you have some success in hunting old books for your clients," Boyle tells this Chicago bookseller. "I am in the market to buy copies of the ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE...." Bold full signature. Some blue pencil notes by Davies near the bottom (not affecting signature). Evidently Boyle was continuing research on the subject of his 1929 title.
Price: $35.00

15. BRATTAIN, Walter (1902-87). Signed First Day Cover.
Along with William Shockley and John Bardeen, this physicist developed the transistor, for which the three shared the 1956 Nobel Prize for physics. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in New York, NY, on July 10, 1973 and with "First Day of Issue" noted. Fine. Eight-cent "Progress in Electronics" stamp, with decorative Art Craft cachet at left featuring portraits of Brattain, Shockley and Bardeen. No distracting recipient's name/address in address portion -- just Brattain's bold signature in blue ballpoint near the "sweet spot." Choice and attractive. Small portion of original transmittal envelope (cancelled on July 23, 1973) also present.
Price: $75.00

16. BREWER, William H. (1828-1910). Signature and Salutation.
Noted American botanist, geologist and agriculturist; in 1860 he became the chief botanist on Josiah Dwight Whitney's first California Geological Survey, where for four years he surveyed the state's rocks, fossils, minerals, soils, animals and plants; in 1930 his journal of those years was published as "Up and Down California in 1860-1864";he established America's first agricultural experiment station, and was named the first chair of Agriculture at Yale University's Sheffield Scientific School. Attractive "Yours most truly / Wm H Brewer" in brown on a 4" X 1" lined slip (tipped to slightly larger sheet), n.p., n.y. Very good. A fine example from this influential botanist.
Price: $60.00

17. BROWN, Herbert C. (1912-2004). Signature.
English-born American chemist and educator awarded the 1979 Nobel Price in chemistry for his research on organoboranes. Large and bold signature in black fineline, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1987 July 10. Fine. With original envelope.
Price: $30.00

18. BRUNEL, Isambard Kingdom (1806-59). Autograph Note Signed.
The son of French-British engineer and inventory Sir Marc Isambard Brunel was also a noted engineer and inventor who revolutionized public transportation; he and his father built the first tunnel under a navigable river (the Thames Tunnel) and the Great Western Railway; he created the first propeller-driven oceangoing iron ship, and among his reknowned steamships is the S.S. Great Eastern, which laid the first lasting telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean. ANS, 1p, 5" X 7¼", Westminster, England, 1845 November 7. Very good. Couple foxing spots, not affecting text; mounting traces on verso. On "Great Western Railway" letterhead Brunel pens in brown ink: "Allow the bearer to see anything he wishes at the station," signed nicely. A nice example of this uncommon autograph.
Price: $300.00

19. BURBANK, Luther (1849-1926). Typed Note Signed.
This pioneering American horticulturist developed more and better varieties of numerous cultivated plants. Trimmed TNS, irregular 5½" X 2" tipped to pristine cream-colored 6" X 3 3/4" autograph album leaf, n.p., n.y. Very good. Though strangely trimmed, most of the content of this brief note is legible, and it reads in part [missing portions hazarded in brackets]: "Athou[gh I receive thous]ands on thousands of letters to answer, [I for]ward to you today the three Royal walnut [tre]es. [I h]ave selected some wonderful ones for [you] and believe they will fulfill your expectation...." Large, bold signature. Though place and date aren't indicated, this note was received by noted collector Preston Sawyer (1899-1968, California journalist and historical writer), a fellow resident of Burbank's city of Santa Rosa, California. An interesting example.
Price: $150.00

20. BURGESS, George K. (1874-1932). Typed Letter Signed.
This physicist served as the second director of the National Bureau of Standards (1923-32), and is highly regarded for his work in standardizing light and temperature scales. TLS, 1p, 8" X 10½", Washington, DC, 1927 November 2. Addressed to Samuel W. Stratton (1861-1931), creator and first director of the Bureau of Standards. Very good. Lightly age toned. On Department of Commerce letterhead, Burgess writes his predecessor in his capacity as president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a bizarre subject: "We appreciate very much the splendid spirit of cooperation which our representatives... received during their recent visit to your Institute in connection with the laundry deterioration problem... your Research Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, were particularly kind in lending every possible effort to aid us in this study...." Talk about airing your dirty laundry.... Unusual.
Price: $100.00

21. BURPEE, David (1893-1980). Signed First Day Cover.
This pioneering American horticulturalist, son of the W. Atlee Burpee Company founder, was a reknowned plant breeder, developed the first commercially available "Big Boy" tomato, the "Ambrosia" cantaloupe and other disease-resistant hybrids and flowers. Signed First Day Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled at Washington, DC, on October 5, 1966 and with "First Day of Issue" noted. Near fine. Single 5-cent "Plant for a more Beautiful America" stamp at upper left. No decorative cachet at left; no distracting recipient's name/address present. At lower left, near the "sweet spot," Burbee signs boldly in blue ballpoint. Small portion of original transmittal envelope present. Quite choice.
Price: $50.00

22. BUSH, Vannevar (1890-1974). Signed Postal Cover / Unsigned Photograph.
This pioneering American engineer and scientist was responsible for building the first analogue computer and the differential analyzer; he was also in charge of building the atomic bomb; president of the Carnegie Institute of Washington (1939-55). Signed Postal Cover, 6½" X 3½", cancelled in Everett, MA, on March 11, 1974. Fine. Handsome four-cent "Atomic Energy Act Peaceful Uses" stamp. No distracting recipient's name/address present; instead, Bush's hesitant old-age signature in black ballpoint occupies the "sweet spot." NOT a First Day Cover (this stamp, honoring Connecticut Senator Brien McMahon, was issued in 1962) -- but intentionally cancelled at Bush's hometown of Everett, Massachusetts. Likely one of the last autograph requests fulfilled by Bush, who died about 1½ months later, on June 28. Unusual. Accompanied by a superb, highly desirable original 8½" X 6½" glossy news agency photograph (International News Photo) of 1947, a half-length portrait showing Bush at right shaking hands with James V. Forrestal while a third observes, the U.S. flag behind them. The original mimeographed text slip (still attached), captioned "Heads of Munitions, Research Boards, Take Office," reads in part: "Oaths of office were administered today to Thomas J. Hargrave as Chairman of the Munitions Board, and to Dr. Vannevar Bush as Chairman of the Research and Development Board. The ceremony was held in the office of Defense Secretary Forrestal...." Near fine. An interesting signed postal item and a scarce vintage photograph.
Price: $125.00

23. CABANES, Augustin (1862-1928). Autograph Manuscript (unsigned).
This French physician was also a historian and author of many volumes of history and fiction, though he is best remembered for his studies of historical medical mysteries such as "Secret Cabinet of History Peeped Into By a Doctor" (1897) and "Curious Bypaths of History: Being Medico-Historical Studies and Observations" (1898). Autograph Manuscript (unsigned) in French, 1p, 5¼" X 8¼", n.p., n.y. Fine. A full working manuscript page penned in Cabanes' miniscule, sloppy, illegible script -- "teeth" seem to be mentioned often, so an educated guess is that the topic is some medical mystery involving dentistry. Accompanied by an ANS in French from Cabanes widow on a heavy stock 3" X 2¼" calling card ("MADAME BL.-A. CABANES"), n.p., n.y. [post 1928, for it bears mourning borders]. Very good. 2" abrasion from tape removal along top edge of recto, else clean and attractive. Penned on both sides of this card, the widow sends a cordial note transmitting "une page autographe du Dr. Cabanes avec 'iexpression de mes sentiments bien distingues...." Though not indicated, this was sent to Irving Schwerke (1893-1975), American expatriate pianist and music critic. An interesting and unusual pair.
Price: $395.00

24. CALVIN, Melvin (1911-97). Signature.
The chemist who long headed the famed Lawrence Radiation Laboratory at Berkeley was awarded the 1960 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his research on photosynthesis. Bold signature, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1967 May 30. Fine. With original envelope.
Price: $35.00

25. CARREL, Alexis (1873-1944). Autograph Note (unsigned).
As a member of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research (1906-38), this French surgeon and biologist developed groundbreaking methods for suturing vessels and transplanting organs which led to his being awarded the 1912 Nobel Prize for medicine; in 1936 he joined Charles Lindbergh in inventing a perfusion pump to keep organs alive outside the human body. Unsigned AN, heavy stock 4" X 2¼" card, n.p., n.y. Very good. Very slightly edgeworn and a tad smudged. On the verso of the engraved calling card of MAX THOREK, Carrel inks five cryptic lines: "Ruysbroek the Admirable / Translation by / the benedictines of N.D. de Wisques / St Therese / St John of the Cross." From the noted autograph collection of Thorek (1880-1960), a reknowned Chicago physician, surgeon and medical writer who founded the American Hospital (now Thorek Medical Center) and developed techniques for improving gallbladder surgery and reconstructive surgery. Accompanying this unusual item is a typed biographical sheet, 1p, 7½" X 11", n.p., n.y. [ca. 1941-44]. Near fine. Probably written and typed by Thorek himself to appear side-by-side with this Carrel autograph in his collection, this text not only summarizes Carrel's life and accomplishments but offers opinions as well. Thorek calls Carrel "A technician of the highest order and a master of asepsis," among other judgments. Obviously composed before Carrel's death in 1944, Thorek closes by noting tersely, "From 1931 he had revealed a liking for Fascist doctrines." Also present is a small ((8½" X 3½") typed catalogue description, likely accomplished by Thorek. Carrel's notes are clearly religious in nature, which ties in with a Carrel anecdote shared by Thorek in his 1943 memoir "A Surgeon's World": "I had an impression when I talked with Dr. Alexis Carrel that in spite of his professed deep devotion to mysticism, he was one of the wraith-chasers. Was his mystic philosophy more than a feeble defense of miracles, of clairvoyance, of psychic power? He had tried to prove to me that he had good reason to believe in the miracles of Lourdes. He had seen a woman there, he told me, who had long suffered from a triangular bed sore which had resisted all treatment. One day at the holy shrine had reduced the sore to half its size. No, the doctor had not seen the sore when the woman came in. And, he added: 'I regret to say that, when I told her of her progress, the healing process stopped.' He told me instance after instance of healing which had been reported to him by men he 'trusted.' I was profoundly thankful that, in his contributions to science, Dr. Carrel had been less ready to act upon hearsay!" Carrell probably gave Thorek these cryptic notes during this very meeting, referring the Chicagoan to sources he felt might persuade Thorek to share or better understand his mystic beliefs. Exceptionally interesting instance of a Nobel scientist revealing his faith in mysticism. A rare, fascinating piece linking these two medical pioneers.
Price: $395.00

26. CHAMBERLAIN, Owen (1920-2006). Signature.
This American physicist's confirmation of the existence of antiproton's earned him the 1959 Nobel Prize in physics. Attractive bold signature in blue ballpoint, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., 1967 May 31. Fine. With original envelope.
Price: $35.00

27. COMPTON, Karl T. (1887-1954). Typed Letter Signed.
American physicist noted for his research on X-ray photography and photoelectricity. TLS, 1p, 5 3/4" X 7 3/4", Cambridge, MA, 1940 October 8. Addressed to noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar Arnold Gates. Near fine. On letterhead of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (of which Compton served as president, 1930-48), Compton sends thanks for "Your very kind note of birthday greetings... In these days where every one is so busy and there is so much to think about it is reassuring to know that personal relationships and kindly acts can still flourish." Comes with a superb 8½" X 9" half-length glossy portrait of Compton.
Price: $250.00

28. CONANT, James Bryant (1893-1978). Signature.
This organic chemist turned administrator turned diplomat taught at Harvard (1916-33) before becoming its president (1933-53), during which he instituted numerous reforms and advancements; he chaired the National Defense Research Committee (1941046), which developed the atomic bomb and chose Hiroshima as the target; he also helped found the National Science Foundation in 1950; from 1955 to 1957 he served as high commissioner and ambassador to West Germany. Large bold signature in blue ballpoint, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., n.y. [1970 June 21]. Conant adds a flamboyant paraph that practically encircles his signature, as if paranoid about his signature being misused by the addition of text around it.
Price: $35.00

29. COUSINS, Ralph B. (1891-1964). Partly-Printed Autograph Document Signed.
It is for developing the radio beam that this U.S. Army officer gained aviation immortality; during his long career he commanded Clark Field Fort Stotsenburg and the Santa Ana Western Flying Training Command. Partly-printed ADS, 1p, 7 3/4" X 3", Washington, DC, 1920 December 4. Very good; several minor smudges. Check made out to the Army & Navy Club in the amount of $49.47, drawn on the Riggs National Bank. Usual cancellation perforations, not affecting signature. Bank vignette at left.
Price: $125.00

30. CRAIG, Charles F. (1872-1950). Partly-printed Autograph Document Signed.
This U.S. army physician served on the U.S. Army Board for Study of Tropical Diseases in Manila; malaria was a serious concern at the time, ravaging U.S. troops during the Spanish-American War; Craig's advancements in the field include writings such as The Aestivo-Autumnal Malarial Fevers (1901) and The Malarial Fevers (1909). Partly-printed ADS, 1p, 6½" X 2 3/4", Washington, D.C., 1922 July 22. Very good. Check drawn on The Riggs National Bank, written out entirely in Craig's hand to "Cash" in the amount of $25, boldly signed. Cancellation perforations and stamps do not touch upon signature. Nice engraving of bank entrance at left.
Price: $65.00

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