The man who pioneered the concept of the space shuttle writes about space travel. Autograph Manuscript signed: "By Dr. Wernher von Braun" in title, 1p, 8¼ x 10½ ruled sheet. Manuscript page, which is written in pencil, is part of a longer manuscript ("1" written by von Braun at upper margin). Headed: "Space Travel/by Dr. Wernher von Braun/Chief, Guided Missile Development Division//Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala." In full: "There are few dreams of the future which have woven so fascinating a web around human fantasy as flight through space. Since the first, epoch-making experiments of the great American pioneer of rocketry, Robert H. Goddard; since the days when Hermann Oberth, the German, and the Russian Constantin E. Ziolkovsky published their startling writings on rocket propulsion, a veritable spate of literature has overwhelmed the public. This has covered the entire field ranging from serious, scientific dissertations to comic strips. Thus, the intelligent layman outsider who is at tempting to sift the actual promises of space flight from idle conjecture frequently finds himself more confused than before he began to [word crossed out] study space flight literature.…"

George Eastman responds to a Charles Edison regarding music selections Typed Letter Signed: "Geo Eastman" as Chairman of the Board of Eastman Kodak Company, ¾p, 8x7¼. Rochester, New York, 1929 February 5. On letterhead of Eastman Kodak Company to Charles Edison, son of Thomas A. Edison. In full: "I return herewith the lists of musical compositions which were enclosed in your letter of February 2nd, having marked eight of them as requested: Ave Maria (Schubert), Evening Star from Tannhauser, Largo-Xerxes (Handel), Londonderry Air, Marche Militaire (Schubert), Meistersinger - 'Prize Song' (Wagner), The Swan (Saint-Saens), Traume (Wagner). The compliment implied in your request is greatly appreciated." At the time of this letter, THOMAS ALVA EDISON (1847-1931) was continuing to perfect his favorite invention, the phonograph (he had first recorded sound in 1877, but put his invention aside the following year to work on the incandescent light), and was manufacturing and marketing a new line of radios. In the summer of 1929, he would also offer lateral cut records and accompanying players, but the company would cease recording operations in October 1929. Thomas' son, CHARLES EDISON (1890-1969), who was then Chairman of the Board of Thomas A. Edison, Inc.

The famed mathematician sends a dinner invitation. Third Person ANS: "Mr. Babbage", 1p, 3½ x 3¾. Dorset St., (no year) May 23. In full: "Mr. Babbage will have the honor of dining with Mr & Mrs Strutt on Saturday the 11th June". Charles Babbage (1791-1871) is known as the "Father of Computing" for his ideas about building an analytical engine, the predecessor of the digital computer. He proposed operations research that involved the idea of using machines to perform routine mathematical operations, eliminating errors in human calculation. By 1825, he had developed a machine that was capable of calculating up to 20 decimals. Plans formulated by Babbage in the mid-1830s became the basis for the computers that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s. Lightly stained at upper right blank corner. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 27½ x 16¼. Frame exhibits wearing at corners.

Typed Letter Signed: "Bertrand Russell". 1p, 7½x9. Penrhyndeudraeth (Wales, United Kingdom), 1963 April 27. To Jack Benjamin, Brooklyn, New York. In full: "Thank you for all your recent newspaper cuttings, which are of great value to me in my work. If I have failed for some time to acknowledge your great assistance I assure you it is not for want of gratitude, but merely through pressure of events. As you know, I have recently written several articles for American publications, and I am most interested to see repercussions to these in editorial and letters columns. With warm good wishes, Yours Sincerely," Bertrand Russell signed this letter of April 27, 1963 thanking one of his many supporters for clippings sent to him of recent articles Russell had published in the New York Times and the fierce reaction they generated. Russell had written these articles denouncing the hard-line, anti-communist stance of the United States government and its role in the Vietnam War. His articles, specifically "Is Communism a Menace?" (April 7), received hostile public response from most quarters; however, they did help to inspire the burgeoning American peace movement.

A rare, typed letter, on stationery of Lumiére Laboratories, signed by Lumière during World War II. Rare TLS: "A. Lumière in French, 2 pages, separate sheets, 8¼x10½. Lumière Laboratories, Lyon, France, 1943 May 26. To Doctor Maurice Vernet, Paris, France. Fully translated. In part: "Excuse me for resorting to the machine to respond to your benevolent and encouraging letter. I don't write well, and I would not want to impose the boredom of deciphering my handwriting. I am so touched by your appreciation which consoles me against all ostracism. In offering me unanimously the Presidency of the Duchenne de Boulogne Academy, all my colleagues expressed esteem for me which moved me profoundly and which I will not forget. It makes me contemplate with great serenity the obstacles that are ceaselessly thrown in the path I pursue as well as the malicious insinuations of sectarians and conformists who refuse to pay attention to my work…As for me, the duties which confront me and which are very heavy for my 80-year old body, keep me here. Every day, in fact, we receive at the Clinic the sick, often coming from very far despite the difficulties of transport and who regret my absence when, unusually, I am forced to cancel some consultations.

TLS: "R.J. Gatling", 1p, 8½x11½. Hartford, Conn., 1885 April 14. As President, on stationery of The Gatling Gun Company. To Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, Hartford. In full: "The Chief of Ordnance, State of New York, advises us that he has sent two Gatling Guns here for repairs, and that if anything is needed in the way of appendages or spare parts, that he be furnished with a list of the same, before he gives the order for them. As soon as the guns are received, please put them in good working order, and furnish us with a list of the articles required as above." Exactly 20 years before this letter was written, John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln with a Derringer pistol. Twelve days later, U.S. Cavalry Sgt. Boston Corbett shot Booth with a Colt revolver. By the 1850s, Richard J. Gatling (1818-1903) had become wealthy from agricultural inventions such as machines for sowing rice and wheat. He is best known for inventing the rapid-fire Gatling gun, the first practical machine gun, patented in 1862, the year The Gatling Gun Company was founded in Indianapolis.

Frederick Samuel Duesenberg wrote this letter on Duesenberg Motor Company letterhead in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1916. In it, he talks about his family and the engines he was building, including one for Barney Oldfield, the first man to drive a mile a minute in 1903. ALS: "F. S. D & family" in pencil, 2p, 8¼x10¾, front and verso. St. Paul, Minnesota, 1916 February 5. On letterhead of Duesenberg Motor Company to "Dear George Mrs B. & Mary", the Bird family of San Diego, California. In full, with original spelling and grammar: "Your most welcome letter rec'd several weeks ago and it found me in bed but was about over my pneumonia got out of bed three weeks ago and was out for two weeks & then had a touch of rhuematism & went back to bed for a week & this is my first day up. I havent been out of doors since the middle of Dec. We were sure pleased to get your letter I have spoken of you people so often that Mrs D feels she knows you quite well. We did think of coming out west this winter and should have done so but for the fact that we are so busy getting out motors for various purposes. We are building one for Barney Oldfield at Los Angeles. We are building some motors for the Navy Sea planes for the U.S.…"

The chemist penned and signed this note asking Mr. Potterin to speak to him later Autograph Note signed: "L.P.", in black ink. One page. 2¾x1¼. To "Mr. Potterin - Eugene". In French, translated in full: "Speak to me about him after/the arrival of Mr. Lapetair, the injector, etc." Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) was a chemist and biologist who is considered one of a handful of the most important pioneers of microbiology. His body of work directly led to the development of vaccinations to protect humans from deadly diseases, the invalidation of the spontaneous generation theory of life, and the invention of pasteurization. Pasteurization is the process of heating dairy products to eliminate microbial organisms that can spread disease. Germ theory was already rapidly growing support, but Pasteur conducted controlled experiments from 1860-1864 that investigated germs, disease, and potential causality. These experiments put to rest any further serious opposition to the theory. While Pasteur's influence on microbiology and chemistry stretch far into the sciences, his notoriety today is primarily due to the namesake process of pasteurization used on virtually all dairy products sold in stores.

Rare manuscript letter written from his estate in England to Inslee Hopper, his successor as head of the Singer Manufacturing Co. in New York. Hopper has added his receipt acknowledgement in purple ink! Manuscript Letter signed: "I M Singer", 1p, 5x8. Paignion, South Devon, England, 1873 July 8. To The Director of the Singer Manufacturing Co., New York. In full: "On receipt of this letter, please send me sight Bill of Exchange for Five thousand pounds (£5000) but should Gold and Exchange exceed 125 you may wait until you are able to buy at that price. I have telegraphed to Mr. Hawley to come out, and write to you as I expect he will sail before this letter arrives." Ink note receipt acknowledgement by Singer President Inslee Hopper: "July 23 73". Singer received his first patent for a commercial sewing machine in 1851. Three years later, he introduced a domestic model that made him one of the wealthiest Americans of the century. In late 1857, Singer opened the world's first mass production facility for something other than firearms in New York. I.M. Singer & Company was soon able to cut production costs to a little more than $10.00 per machine. Singer sold his new machines for 50% less than his first, yet had increased his profit margin to 530% per machine.

Signed autograph letter (1871) to an experimenter, in which Morse discusses "the present Science of Electro-Magnetism." ALS: "Saml F.B. Morse". 1½ pages, 5 x 8, front and verso. New York, 1871 February 22. The inventor of the Morse Code and the Electromagnetic Telegraph writes to G.W. Varnum, M.D., Montgomery City, Mo. In full: "I received yesterday through my friend & your Cousin J.B. Varnum, Esq your letter of the 16t. instant. In regard to the experiment mentioned in your letter, it is by no means new. Indeed it was from observing this effect, upon a needle, of the magnetism of an electric current (not indeed upon the modern electromagnet, which was the result of his observation,) that Oersted founded the present Science of Electro-magnetism. The use made also of this effect of the magnet upon the needle, to indicate the presence of an electric current upon the telegraph wires, is almost universal in the Offices in Europe; every instrument being furnished with a Galvanometer for the purpose, So although although (sic) not new, you have at least the satisfaction of having independently Suggested a valuable use of the magnetic needle. With respect Yr. Ob. Serv."  G.W.

Sigmund Freud signed this typed letter to his nephew, publicist Edward L. Bernays, in 1924 on his personalized stationery. In it, Freud discusses family finances and thanks Bernays for a case of coffee. Typed letter signed "Sigm". Pencil marks on page 2 in unknown hand. 2 pages, 5¾x8¾, 1 sheet, front and verso, on Freud's personalized stationery. May 11, 1924. In German, translated. In part: "Also in May, I lent you 150 dollars, so that your mother's assets with me are now 460 dollars. Thus, three further months are paid for. I would suggest that you send a larger amount of money here after these three months... The case of Washington Coffee arrived undamaged on 30 IV. I very much approve of you deducting the price for that upcoming royalties. I didn't expect the coffee to be so expensive, however, I received your book from Boni & Liveright. As a real American, I was very interested in it...". We believe that this letter was written to Edward Bernays, Freud's nephew, as it mentions sending money to an "Onkel [Uncle] Alexander". EDWARD L. BERNAYS ()1891-1995, born in Vienna, Austria) was an American publicist and the first publicist to incorporate Sigmund Freud's ideas on psychology into public relations and advertising.

The famous inventor penned a section of answers on this questionnaire! Printed Questionnaire filled out by an assistant who has signed: "Thomas A. Edison" at the conclusion, but with 11 words in Edison's hand, 1p, 7¾x10½. J.K. Macomber, Professor of Physics at the Physical Laboratory Agricultural College in Ames, Iowa, sent Edison and other authorities in the field, a printed questionnaire, dated September 27, 1879. Macomber message, in part: "The people of the Western States have been imposed upon by lightning-rod peddlers more, perhaps, than by any other class of swindlers. Among other rods being sold in Iowa is one known as the 'Chambers' rod, widely has been patented by the 'Chambers' National Lightning Protection Company,' of Cincinnati, Ohio. Briefly, this system consists on an Iron rod running along the ridge of the building with points at each end projecting upward…Many public buildings in thus State have been furnished with these rods…I beg leave to submit the following interrogations." Macomber lists seven questions for Edison to answer. Edison dictated his answers to an assistant who handwrote his replies in a hand resembling Edison's.