Sale 314

The Dr. Alphonse A. Maffeo Collection
of U.S. & Confederate Stamps and Historical Documents


Prominent Figures in the Fields of Science & Medicine and Other Misc Celebrities
 
 
Lot Photo Description
Lot 329
Adler, Alfred (1870-1937), Austrian-born psychologist, founder of Individual Psychology, considered one of the greatest influences, with Freud and Jung, on the field of modern psychology. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 7¼ x 10½ New York, March 23, 1933. Hotel Gramercy Park letterhead to George S. Denithorne, Bellefonte, Pa., recommending two of his books: "…‘What Life Does Mean To You’ (Little, Brown, Boston) and ‘Practise and Theory of Individual Psychology’ (Harcourt, Brace, NY). Both my works. Yours sincerely, Adler", accompanied by mailing envelope postmarked the same day. Very Fine condition.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 330
Fleming, Alexander, Sir (1881-1955), Scottish bacteriologist, discovered penicillin (1921), Nobel Prize for medicine (1945). Autograph Letter Signed, two pages [one sheet], 5 x 8, [London], August 27, 1945. To a Dr. Shulman, thanking him for some gramophone records, then,

"…Marys goes on [St. Mary’s Hospital where Fleming works]. This is our centenary year and we are trying to raise money to rebuild. The hospital wants £2.000.000 to rebuild and the Inoculation Dept. wants £250.000 as an endowment so that we can carry on without Government interference. It seemed to us that it would be a pity to have too much interference with a laboratory which in less than 50 years has originated vaccine Therapy, Desensitization in Hay Fever with Pollen extracts, and Penicillin besides many lesser things. If you have a patient with too much money who wants to give away $1.000.000 to a good cause he might endow us and perhaps something even better than penicillin might be born…"

Fine condition with small tear at upper left affecting one word on verso. Excellent content mentioning penicillin and Fleming’s views on government involvement in medicine.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

FLEMING’S LETTERS MENTIONING PENICILLIN ARE QUITE RARE.
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Lot 331
Freud, Sigmund (1856-1939), Austrian psychiatrist and psychologist, founder of Psychoanalysis. Autograph Letter Signed on his imprinted "Prof. Dr. Freud" letterhead, one page, 5½ x 7¼ Vienna, December 18, 1932. In German to a Mr. Volkor (?), Freud recalls the founding by James T. Putnam, in 1909, of a center at Harvard University for the study of psycho-neurotic disorders and adds that he has been asked to be an honorary member of the center. Fine condition with minor mounting damage on verso resulting in a small hole in the blank bottom margin.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 332
Jenner, Edward (1749-1823), English physician, invented the procedure of vaccination (1796) using a vaccine derived from the cowpox virus to build up an immunity to smallpox. Autograph Letter Signed, three pages [one leaf], 7¾ x 9¾ Cheltenham [England], December 20, 1806. To Lord Sherborne, a supporter of his, Jenner writes of the proliferation of his smallpox vaccine to all parts of the world:

"…from China, I received a pamphlet…informing me of the adoption of the vaccine there…from the Philippine Islands accounts reach’d me of the innoculation of 230,000 of their Inhabitants…Information of a similar nature has also reached me from Buenos Ayres, & other parts of the world which participated in the benevolence of his Catholic Majesty." and "…that while the King of Spain was extending a knowledge of the vaccine discovery to the southern parts of China, the Emperor of Russia was carrying it to the northern, having first…disseminated it thro’ the vast territories of Siberia & Tartary…"

Excellent condition.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

A RARE HOLOGRAPH LETTER FROM JENNER WRITING DIRECTLY ON THE TOPIC FOR WHICH HE IS FAMOUS.
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Lot 333
Nightingale, Florence (1820-1910), English (Italian-born) hospital reformer, nurse in Crimean War, first female recipient of the British Order of Merit (1907), "The Lady with the Lamp" or "The Angel of Crimea". Autograph Letter Signed in pencil, three pages [one sheet], 4½ x 6¾ "35 South Street, Park Lane, W.", January 10, 1872. To an unidentified friend at the Paris Maternité an obstetric hospital. Comments on the general state of obstetric medicine, in part: "…half a century ago…there was less difference in knowledge between accoucheuses [midwives] & accoucheurs [obstetricians] than now. And this simply because Medical training has been making some progress among men — & among women in Midwives’ cliniques has been going back. Accept…my old & only apology — that of over-work & increasing illness, for this too-long delayed and untidy pencil note. Ever yours, Florence Nightingale" Silked on one side with some edge restoration but text is strong and very readable. A Fine letter on an interesting topic, accompanied by an engraved portrait.
Estimate 600 - 800
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Lot 334
Schweitzer, Albert (1875-1965), French physician, missionary, musicologist and philosopher, Nobel Prize for Peace (1952). Autograph Note Signed, on message side of a picture postcard, 5¾ x 4, Lambarene [Gabon], January 1965. To the children of St. Xavier’s Acadamy in Providence, R.I. Typed message with handwritten greeting "Dear Friends," thanks them for their good wishes on his 90th birthday. In German below, using a different pen, Schweitzer has written another five lines plus his signature, apparently regarding a picture of "Saint Mary" they have sent him (perhaps on a Christmas card); the picture side of the card is a color photo of Schweitzer’s famed Lambaréné Hospital and leper village below which Schweitzer has penned [in the same ink as the greeting on verso, "The landingplace of the hospital". Accompanied by the original mailing envelope with typed address franked with Gabonese stamps cancelled Lambaréné. Very Fine condition.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 335
Treves, Sir Frederick (1853-1923), English physician, surgeon to the British Royal Family, physician and confidant of the Elephant Man, Joseph Merrick. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 4½ x 7, Kingston-on-Thames, March 8, no year. Written in the third person, in ful, "Sir Frederick Treves presents his compliments to the Lord Mayor and will be very pleased to accept the invitation to luncheon on April 11.th with which he has been honoured. March 8." Very Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 336
[Medicine], Group of three medical pioneers: Huxley, Thomas, English biologist, supported Charles Darwin, coined the term "agnostic", grandfather of writer Aldous Huxley and biologist Sir Julian Huxley. 1881 ALS, two pages, to G.M. Grantley, repaired separation, otherwise Fine; Paget, Sir James, English physician, Surgeon to Queen Victoria, co-founder of the modern science of Pathology. 1872 ALS, one page, to Smith Harrison, Fine; Cotton Tufts, American physician/ veteranarian, authored the first article on animal diseases published in the United States (1785), member of the family for which Tufts University was later named. 1787 ALS, one page, to Dr. Amos Holbrooke, Fine.
Estimate 300 - 400
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Lot 337
Alcott, Louisa May (1832-1888), American author, best known work: Little Women (1868), a semi autobiographical account of her childhood years, pseudonym: A.M. Barnard, first woman to register to vote in Concord, Mass. (1875). Signature "Miss L.M. Alcott Concord Mass." on small carte-de-visite originally belonging to Mrs. Harry Allen of New York City with the name and address crossed out, on verso Alcott has written the names and addresses of two individuals, an "F. May" of Philadelphia and a "Mrs. Frances Williams" of Germantown, Fine condition with small abrasion on verso not affecting script; also a clipped signature of Alcott’s father, "A [Amos] Bronson Alcott" (1799-1888), an educator, writer and Transendentalist contemporary and friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 338
Blackstone, Sir William (1723-1780), English jurist, wrote "Commentaries on the Laws of England" (1765-1769), the definitive work on pre-Revolutionary War common law that is still cited by both British and U.S. courts. Autograph Letter Signed, page, two sides, 7½ x 9, Priory Place, September 13, 1779. To an unidentified person. Blackstone, at work setting up the English penal system, writes in part:

"…I like Mr. Milne's hints exceedingly…I am particularly pleased with the artificial islands in which we would build the penitentiaries. I say islands (in the plural) for I think the inconvenience of building the houses so as to adjoin would overbalance the saving made by having only one chapel and one set of officers. But this consideration is at present rather premature. If we cannot engage Dr. Fothergill, perhaps Dr. Smith may serve. He has some knowledge and merit and has been particularly attentive to this subject. But I think his powers are very limited and that he is too apt to [be] opinionated. When once the men are fixed, the form of the nomination may be easily supplied…"

A very rare Blackstone Autograph Letter Signed in exceptionally well preserved condition.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000

The letter was quite possibly written to William Eden, first Lord Auckland (1744-1814); both he and Blackstone were deeply involved in prison reform.

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Lot 339
Churchill, Sir Winston (1871-1947), British historian, orator and politician, Prime Minister (1941-1945, 1951-1955). Manscript Letter Signed, one page, 7½ x 9½ [London], June 28, 1911. Churchill writes, as Home Secretary on Home Office letterhead, to His Majesty King George V, in full:

"Mr. Secretary Churchill with his humble duty to Your Majesty has the honour to recommend that the Imperial Service Medal be awarded to 184 retired members of Your Majesty's Home Civil Service whose names are given in the attached list [not present]." Boldly signed "Winston S. Churchill"

At the top the king has added, in his own hand, his approval of Churchill’s recommendation: "Appd, G.R.I."

Very Fine condition with an insignificant corner crease at the upper right, accompanied by a black & white photo.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000

QUITE A REMARKABLE COMBINATION OF SIGNATURES.
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Lot 340
Einstein, Albert (1879-1955), German-born physicist, discovered relativity, Nobel Prize for physics (1921). Typed Letter Signed on Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton School of Mathematics letterhead, one page, 5½ x 6½ Princeton, N.J., April 7, 1945. To his publisher, The Princeton University Press, in full:

"It would be kind of you if you could send to Methuen and Company, Ltd., 36 Essex Street, Strand, London, W.C.2, a complete proof of the new edition of The Meaning of Relativity, so that they also can publish a new edition as proposed in their letter of March 20 which I enclose." Boldly signed "A. Einstein"

Very Fine condition with filing pinholes at upper left.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

EINSTEIN LETTERS WITH REFERENCES TO RELATIVITY ARE EXTREMELY RARE.

Einstein renounced his German citizenship when Hitler rose to power. In 1940 he became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Upon hearing of Nazi Germany's successful experiments with nuclear fission, he wrote to U.S. President Roosevelt urging the initiation of a U.S. nuclear research program. In 1952, after the death of Chaim Weizmann, Einstein was offered and refused Presidency of Israel (1952).

The first edition of Einstein’s work had been published by Methuen in 1922 and by Princeton University Press in 1923.

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Lot 341
Hill, Sir Rowland (1795-1879), British administrator and educator, campaigned for postal reform based on the concept of penny postage, later a government postal official, usually credited with originating the basic concepts of the modern postal service and the invention of the postage stamp. Document Signed, one page, 4½ x 7, [London], February 2, 1853. Admission Pass, accomplished in manuscript, in full: "The President on Duty. Admit Dr. Hübertz and four friends to be present at the duty in the Inland Office on Saturday 5 Inst. [signed] Rowland Hill. 2 Feb.y 1853. At the bottom, in Hill’s hand, "Entered in Visitor’s Book. R.H". Fine condition.
Estimate 150 - 200
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Lot 342
Irving, Washington (1783-1859), Essayist, historian, novelist, U.S. Ambassador to Spain (1842-1846). Pseudonyms Diedrich Knickerbocker, Geoffrey Crayon, Launcelot Wa. His collection "The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." included "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle". Autograph Letter Signed, two pages [one sheet], 5 x 8, Sunnyside, January 26, 1857. To Henry T. Tuckerman, himself a noted writer of the day, praising Tuckerman's latest work, in part: "…I do not know when I have read any work more uniformly rich, full and well sustained. The liberal, generous, catholic spirit in which it is written is beyond all praise…" Neatly signed "Yours very cordially and truly, Washington Irving". Very Fine, accompanied by an engraved portrait.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 343
Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870), Commander-in-Chief of Confederate Army (1865), surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, superintendent of U.S. Military Academy (1852-1855), son of Revolutionary War General Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 5 x 8, Lexington, Va., October 29, 1867. To "Mrs. Adeline B. Anderson". Lee writes in full:

"You have been misinformed by the public papers. I have no watch to be delivered to the nearest relation of Genl Washington. A watch has been placed in my hands, which is supposed to have belonged to Genl Washington, to be restored to the owner from whom it was taken during the late war. Very Respy. R.E. Lee"

Fine condition with a partial split of bottom fold below signature, accompanied by the mailing envelope addressed in Lee's hand to Mrs. Anderson in Louisville.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500

AN IMPORTANT LETTER THAT POINTS TO THE RADICAL POLICIES OF RECONSTRUCTION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WAR.

Lee's wife Mary, was the great-granddaughter of George Washington. During the War their home, "Arlington", was occupied by General Irvin McDowell who turned it into a Federal post. Many Washington and Lee family items were pillaged by the occupying troops and McDowell had the remainder placed on display in Washington as "Captured at Arlington". After the war a public controversy arose over ownership of these items. In 1868 Gen. and Mrs. Lee petitioned President Andrew Johnson for their return. In response a radical Congress passed a resolution "that the Washington relics were the property of the United States and any attempt to deliver them to the rebel general Robert E. Lee was an insult to the loyal people of the United States."

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Lot 344
Napoleon I (1769-1821), Emperor of the French. Letter Signed as Emperor, St. Cloud, September 21, 1805. To his cousin, Prince Julian Napoleon, Viceroy of Italy. Napoleon writes concerning Austrian troop movements, in full:

"I am counting on going to the Senate on the first, and to be in Strasbourg the 3rd. Military operations on the Rhine will probably commence the 4th. However, until you are advised as to my departure from Paris, write me what you have important to transmit to me in duplicate to Paris and Strasbourg. If you receive this letter, I think you should send your first courier off to Strasbourg. The time being what it is, I have no doubt that my army must be completely reunited between the Chiesa and the Adige, that Mantone be armed and provisioned, that its Governor General Miollis has arrived, that the entire artillery has left and my army abundantly provisioned for. I also imagine that all the depots of the army corps are beyond the Adda, at Cassano, Lodi, Pizza, and Cadogno… It is important from every point of view, that they should not proceed on the Chiesa or the Adiga until the army has made great progress and shall have passed the Tagliamento. Let me know the standing of the above. Guicciardi must find some men, who can report to the Italian Tyrol, and the Grisons in the German Tyrol; and these men must give you information on all the different movements of the Austrians… "

Very Fine condition, accompanied by an engraved portrait.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000

This letter was written at the beginning of the Ulm and Austerlitz Campaign; Napoleon’s troops crossed the Rhine four days later.

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Lot 345
Priestley, Joseph (1733-1804), English chemist and clergyman, wrote on Franklin’s experiment with electricity (1767), discovered oxygen (as "dephlogisticated air") (1774). Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 8 x 11, Birmingham [England], February 26, 1783. Testimonial letter for a Mr. Hazlitt, in part:

"…I have every reason to consider him as a rational christian, and a zealous friend of truth, and of civil and religious liberty. He was uniformly attached to the cause of America in the late contest. I have never heard of any reflection on his conduct as a man, or as a christian minister…"

Fine condition with slight splits at ends of horizontal folds, accompanied by an engraved portrait.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000

Priestley is referring to the Reverend William Hazlitt (1737-1820), who spoke in favor of the American cause in England and protested the brutal treatment of American prisoners of war. In 1783-1785 he visited America and helped establish the first Unitarian church in Boston. This letter may well have been written to an American church elder.

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Lot 346
Watt, James (1736-1819), Scottish inventor and engineer, his improvements to the steam engine made it a primary contributing factor to the Industrial Revolution. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 8 x 10, Heathfield [Scotland], March 3, 1819. To James Davis Esqr regarding a proposal to levy a tax on inland coal, in part: "…a tax so likely to prove ruinous to our manufactories and oppressive to the inland counties & which must undo much of the good we expected from our railway…", then personal matters including "…I have been very unwell but I am now better…" [Watt would die five months later]. The letter is written on the blank integral leaf of a printed circular that enumerates 12 resolutions made by Watt’s local town council in opposition to this proposed inland coal tax. Fine condition with the two leaves separated and rejoined and some internal repairs, small piece at right edge missing where wax seal has been removed affecting one word.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500

The publisher of the circular is Matthew R. Boulton who financed the greatest part of the practical improvements to the steam engine, then known as the Boulton-Watt engine.

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