Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 30

Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Inventor

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1330		Edison, Thomas A (1847-1931) Prolific inventor. Cut Signature on a 1¾ x 4 in. piece of off-white paper. Beautifully signed in thick, dark pencil. Ideal for framing with an engraving or photograph of Edison. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $345
Lot 1331		Greeley, Horace (1811-1872) Journalist, publisher, presidential hopeful. Autograph Letter Signed "H. Greeley" on "Office of the Tribune" letterhead, New York, July 9, 1866, 1p, octavo. In his deplorable handwriting, Greeley makes a suggestion to Schuyler Colfax, a congressman from Indiana who would become Vice President in 1868: "Before the Congress adjourns, it seems to me that a resolve of this sort should pass: Resolved that the Secretary of War be instructed to (?) the whole number of Union soldiers who are known to have died while prisoners of war; also, the number of Rebel soldiers who likewise died whild held as prisoners of war. I think this inquiry would unearth facts that ought to be definitely known." Two edge splits, else very good. With engraving and transmittal envelope, 3¢ postage stamp and octagonal "NEW YORK JUL 10" postmark. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1332		(Napoleon) Napoleonic Wars Equestrian Portraits. A collection of ten engraved and beautifully hand-tinted portraits by Richard Evans, London, pulished in 1815 and 1816. All but one engraving is of a British military leader or ally, mounted on horseback with his name inscribed below. The exception is Crown Prince Bernadotte of Sweden, who was one of Napoleon's field marshals. The other nine engravings are: the Duke of Wellington, Field Marshal von Blücher, Lieut. Gen. the Marquis of Anglesea, Lieut. Gen. Sir Eire Coote, George IV as Prince Regent, the Duke of York, the Prince of Orange, and Russian Emperor Alexander I (2 different engravings). Each is approximately 9¼ x 13¼ in. One print with minor corner repair, else fine. Ideal for display. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $780
Lot 1333		(Napoleon) Waterloo - An Early Map. A Sketch of the Battle of Waterloo, Fought Sunday 18th June 1815, Published by T. Kinnersley, June 10, 1816, 8¼ x 10¼. British troops are designated in red, French troops in blue, and Prussians in yellow. The Forest of Soigné and the village of Waterloo are at the top. Letter references indicate British and French positions on the morning of the 18th, the march of Prince Blucher to form a junction with the British, the advance of Gen. Bulow's Corps from St. Lambert to occupy their covered position, the advance and charge of Gen. Ziethen's Corps towards the close of the battle, the attack of the Prussians on the French right flank, and the movement of the French reserves to oppose the Prussians. Light toning and foxing, else fine. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $173
Lot 1334		Björling, Jussi (1911-1960) Swedish tenor, proclaimed the successor to Caruso. A master of French and Italian repertoire, Björling sang nearly every tenor role, gaining immense popularity across the globe before his sudden death at age 49. Signature ("Jussi Bjorling") in blue ink on the front of an envelope from the Olympic Hotel, Seattle, n.d., one page, 5½ x 3½ in. The only flaw is a small smudge above the end of Björling's signature -- likely made by the great man himself. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $150
Lot 1335		Caruso, Enrico & Scotti, Antonio. Three 6½ x 4 in. caricatures on brown paper, drawn by Enrico Caruso in Chicago in 1906. One is of Italian baritone Antonio Scotti and is signed by Caruso and Scotti. A second caricature is of Mrs. H.O. Crane and is also signed by Caruso and Scotti. A third caricature is, presumably, Harold O. Crane; it is unsigned. Caruso and Scotti often shared the stage. Caruso was a tenor, Scotti a baritone. Caruso made his stage debut in Naples in 1894; his extraordinary voice and acting ability won him worldwide acclaim. He loved to draw while dining and at parties, and often gave his drawings to the people whom he drew. Estimated Value $500 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $360
Lot 1336		Early 20th Century Opera Greats. Lot of four items: three sepia-toned Photographs Signed by Grace Moore, Frida Leider and G. Martinelli, and a signature with inscription and date by Martinelli on his letterhead. Miss Leider inscribed her photo, "In kindest remembrances," and Mr. Martinelli inscribed his, "to Miss Ida Y. Corey/ most sincerely…Aug. 1930." The photographs range from 7 x 5 x 7 in. to 12 x 8 in. Minor silvering around the edges. Overall very good. A wonderful group of dramatic photos of three of the best-known artists of the first half of the 20th century. Estimated Value $200 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $120
Lot 1337		Irish Tenors. Lot of two signatures: Composer ("My Wild Irish Rose" etc.) and tenor Chanucey Olcott's bold strokes fill up the 4 x 5¾ in. page with his name and ("Yours in Irish…Aug. 4. 1930"), while the great John McCormack signs a 3 x 5½ in. page and adds "from" and the date "1929". McCormack's page is missing the tips of two corners; upper left corner of Olcott's is soiled. Very good to fine. Both men were revered by Irish-Americans. Estimated Value $75 - 100. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $54
Lot 1338		Ruffo, Titta (1877-1953) Arguably the greatest baritone of the 20th century, Ruffo's imposing physical presence and rich voice earned him the moniker, "The Singing Lion." Sepia-toned Portrait Postcard Signed in black ink across Ruffo's chest, n.p., n.d., 5½ x 3½ in. One small crease and abrasion at tip of top left corner, else fine. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1339		Scotti, Antonio (1866-1936) Italian operatic baritone. Photograph Signed "A Scotti" and Inscribed in French to Mrs. Crane, Chicago, 1906, 10 x 7 in. A wonderful, full-length portrait of Scotti in costume. Scotti made his debut in Naples in 1889 and came to the U.S. in 1898. He was with the Metropoltan Opera for 30 seasons, singing in more performances than any other lead singer. Estimated Value $300 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $196
Lot 1340		Tetrazzini, Luisa (1871-1940) Italian soprano of almost unmatched coloratura ability; she enjoyed worldwide popularity for almost 40 years. Black and white Photographic Postcard Signed and Inscribed with place and date ("March 1931 Rome, Italy / To Miss Ida G. Corey souvenir from Luisa Tetrazzini"), in black ink at top and bottom, 5¼ x 3¼ in. Minor corner abrasion at top left, minor adhesive residue on verso, else fine. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1341		Three Violinists. Four items signed by three violinists: Ivan Grzhimali, Autograph Musical Quotation Signed in 1913, 2 long bars, double staves from Paganini's "Cadenza pour le Streghe," together with a 5¼ x 3¼ in. Photograph Signed; Mischa Elman, Autograph Note Signed in 1930, contributing $100 to the Alexander Glazounow Fund, written on the lower portion of a TLS on Steinway & Sons letterhead; Joseph Szigeti, two Typed Letters Signed, one in 1958 to pianist and conductor Joseph Levine, the other in 1955 to Mrs. Levine, both with excellent musical content. All fine. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1342		Whiteman, Paul & Others (1890-1967) Most popular band leader of the 1920s; called "The King of Jazz." Photograph Signed, "Sincerely Paul Whiteman," 7 x 5 in. A chest-up portrait of the orchestra leader who commissioned George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and who gave Bing Crosby his start. Together with a 10 x 8 in. photograph of Pablo Casals, playing the cello; an Autograph Letter Signed by German choral conductor Siegfried Ochs, 1906, 1p. octavo, telling an attorney that he will have seats reserved for him; and a 1976 Autograph Letter Signed by the widow of Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor Serge Koussevitzky, regarding The Koussevitzky Music Foundation. Estimated Value $200 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1343		Berkman, Alexander (1870-1936) Russian-born anarchist; with Emma Goldman, leader of the anarchist movement in America. Autograph Letter Signed ("A. Berkman") on Mother Earth letterhead, New York, July 15, 1907, 1 p quarto. To Victor Robinson, regarding a contribution to the magazine and mentioning Horace L. Traubel, a socialist who was a close associate and literary executor of Walt Whitman. Written shortly after Berkman served a 14-year prison term for shooting the director of the steelworks in Homestead, Pa. as a protest against the treatment of the workers. Estimated Value $150 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $173
Lot 1344		(King, Dr. Martin Luther Jr.) James Earl Ray (1928-1998) Assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King; he was serving a 99-year prison term when he died. Dietary Menu from the prison cafeteria Signed "James Earl Ray #65477" The menu was for renal patients; a sticker on the menu, which is dated 3/28/98, just over one month before Ray died (April 23, 1998) from complications related to kidney disease, has Ray's name and prison number, and "Renal" printed on it. Ray signed this for a visitor. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1345		King, Martin Luther Jr (1929-1968) Civil Rights leader; assassinated. Signature with Sentiment, "With Best Wishes / Martin Luther King Jr.," on a 3¼ x 5¼ inch piece of paper, n.p., n.d. Cleanly written in blue ink. Very fine. Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,150
Lot 1346		(King, Martin Luther Jr.) James Earl Ray. Original Painting by the convicted assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Titled "Escape from Brushy Mountain," Signed on the front and the back. The 12 x 16 inch painting shows Ray escaping over the prison wall as gunfire is directed at him from the wall turret. His prison number, 65477, is on the back of his blue uniform. Painted on canvas, the green grass of the prison yard is in front of the gray prison wall, and grass and a line of trees are beyond the wall; a large orange sun sets at top left and the firing from the turret is painted in red. His name is signed in full at lower right. Ray sent this painting to a woman in England, along with a June 9, 1986 letter of provenance typed on the bottom of a 1982 letter to Ray from the Board of Paroles in Nashville, explaining the factors against his parole. Ray signed "James E. Ray" and includes his prison number in the letter. On the back of the painting, Ray wrote the name of the painting, the date, the name and address of the prison, and signed his name as the artist. After Dr. King's assassination April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, the largest manhunt in FBI history was launched, costing a million dollars. Ray fled abroad to Canada, England and Portugal. He was finally apprehended at London's Heathrow Airport on June 8, 1968. He pleaded guilty in March 1969 and was given a 99-year prison sentence. He soon recanted, to no avail. In 1977, Ray escaped from Brushy Mountain Prison in Tennessee; after three days on the lose, he was tracked down by bloodhounds. It is this escape that Ray painted and that is offered here. A unique item. Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,450
Lot 1347		Nightingale, Florence (1820-1910) English nurse; hospital reformer. Collection of four items (5 pp total) regarding her will: (1) Autograph Letter Signed, on stationery headed "10, South Street, Park Lane.W.," July 31, 1901, 2pp octavo. Enclosing payment to her lawyer and asking if she should not destroy copies of her will and codicils dated 1892, '93, and '94. Overall foxing. (2) Autograph Letter to her lawyer, with signature cut out, Oct. 23 (18)94, 1 p octavo, asking him to send for her will. A postscript is initialed "F.N."; overall light soiling. (3) An Autograph Document with the signature cut out (1877), 1 p oblong octavo, regarding a codicil to her will and asking her lawyer if the document could be made 2 or 3 inches shorter so that it would fit her despatch (sic) box. (4) A codicil sheet in another hand, by which she leaves £45 to her messenger and £175 to her niece; a file date from 1901 is on verso. Estimated Value $900 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $575
Lot 1348		Reed, John (1887-1920) Journalist and revolutionary; author of Ten Days That Shook the World, an account of events surrounding the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. Autograph Letter Signed, Croton-on-Hudson (New York), July 31 (c. 1919), 4 pp, 6¾ x 4½ in. To Theodore Schroeder, in Cos Cob, Connecticut, asking for his help in raising bail for a Socialist who has been indicted for sedition and is in prison at Hartford. The man, Cornelius Lehane, "is abandoned by all the 'regular' 'organization' Socialists, who hate him….I will back him up as loyal, brave and good….they have raised only half of his outrageous bail ($7,500 - or $15,000 in all). It is a typical government sedition case. Could you yourself get the rest of the bail….we need him out…." Accompanied by a photo reprint of Reed. Warren Beatty played Reed, and Diane Keaton played his wife, Louise Bryant, in the 1981 movie Reds. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,725
Lot 1349		Sanger, Margaret (1883-1966) Pioneer in birth control; founder of Planned Parenthood. Typed Letter Signed, Tucson, Arizona, April 25, 1961, one page octavo. Thanking a couple in Iowa for their support and stating that she is working on a conference to be held in India: "It is in the Orient now that the population question must be solved…." With a 5 x 4 inch Photograph Signed across the chest of her dark dress. When Sanger died in 1966, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "…Our sure beginning in the struggle for equality by nonviolent direct action may not have been so resolute without the tradition established by Margaret Sanger and people like her." (2 items). Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $403
Lot 1350		Crookes, Sir William (1832-1919) English physicist and chemist; founder of thallium. Photograph Signed and Inscribed, "To Dudley P. Lewis, from William Crookes, July 29th 1914," as President of the Royal Society, n.p., 9 5/8 x 7 1/8 inches. A sepia-toned, waist-up portrait. One blemish on Crooke's left sleeve, else fine. Signed photographs of Crooke are virtually unknown. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1351		Dooley, Dr. Thomas A (1927-1961) Medical missionary in southeast Asia. Sentiment and Signature, "Best Wishes from Half a World Away / Tom Dooley MD" on a 3½ x 6½ in. light green card. A scarce autograph from the selfless doctor who helped so many and died from cancer at the young age of 34. Estimated Value $250 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1352		Einstein, Albert (1879-1955) Physicist; winner of 1921 Nobel prize. Signature ("A. Einstein") in blue ink on a 1 x 2½ inch slip of paper, closely clipped at the top. Ideal for framing with an engraving. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $776
Lot 1353		Eisen, Gustavus A. Swedish American scientist. Photograph of a painting Signed in the lower border (probably Chicago, 1941, from notation on verso), 10 x 8 inches. A seated, three-quarter portrait. Among Eisen's many accomplishments were authoring a cornerstone study of ancient glass, forming the world's largest and best-documented collection of 19th century Guatemalan textiles, and writing an authoritative study of portraits of George Washington. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1354		Irwin, James Benson (1930-1991) American Astronaut, a member of the Apollo 15 mission. Moonwalker, author of To Rule the Night. Business Card Signed. 3½ x 2", on white card stock with color. Signed in full on verso. Estimated Value $120 - 180. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 1355		Irwin, James Benson. Business Card Signed. 3½ x 2", on white card stock with color. Signed in full on verso. Estimated Value $120 - 180. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $72
Lot 1356		Schweitzer, Dr. Albert (1875-1965) Physician, theologian, and concert organist; won Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. An extraordinary Autograph Letter Signed twice, once at the end and once in the return address, Lambaréné, Gabon, Oct. 29, 1961, 4pp, quarto. In French, with translation. To Saturday Review editor Norman Cousins, who was deeply involved with the issue of nuclear disarmament. In part: "I cannot do what you ask of me. I did not insist that Khrushchev not take up testing again, and I did not condemn him publicly (although in my heart I condemn him absolutely). I cannot demand of Kennedy by telegram not to take up testing in turn. In America people would say that I, a foreigner…want to influence the President of the U.S. My role is to make appeals to enlighten public opinion in all countries…and to tell them what must be done to avoid war and arrive at peace….the resumption of nuclear testing above ground was the temptation to which East and West would succumb….It is deplorable….We are sinking even deeper in inhumanity….public opinion throughout the world takes the dangers of nuclear radiation lightly….I hope that America will begin to listen to us and let you lead it down the path to reason and humanity. The hour is…graver than ever in the history of humanity. So let us struggle…." Much more terrific content. Fine. Estimated Value $800 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $840
Lot 1357		Spock, Dr. Benjamin (1903-1998) Influential pediatrician whose book on child care was translated into 39 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. Check Signed, n.p., Oct. 10, 1983, and filled out by Dr. Spock to "whom it may concern" for one cent. With a 30-word holograph note on verso mentioning Alan Jay Lerner. Estimated Value $100 - 125. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $60
Lot 1358		Teller, Edward (1908-1994) Major contributor to the development of the atomic bomb; "Father of the hydrogen bomb." Typed Letter Signed on letterhead of the Hoover Institution On War, Revolution and Peace, where Teller was a senior research fellow, Stanford, California, February 5, 1980, 1p. octavo. Good content letter to B.H. McGee, beginning: "Technology, the application of man's knowledge, is his best defense against arbitrary power…." Very fine. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $127
Lot 1359		Wright, Frank Lloyd (1867-1959) American architect; leading designer of modern private dwellings; his larger works include the Guggenheim Museum of Art in New York City and the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Autograph Letter Signed ("Frank"), postmarked Chicago, July 11, 1925, 1 p. octavo. Addressed to Miriam Lloyd Wright, his second wife, from whom he had been separated for over a year, trying to arrange a divorce. In part: "I could hope that a spirit of live and let live 'might' arrange a settlement between us without more dirty linen or emotional fizzles. / If you will see me with Judge Hill to talk matters over calmly - I will do all I can to meet your needs at present and establish you comfortably, so far as I can, in future. / You must see that this is the only course open to either of us. A note to Taliesen will reach me Monday afternoon." With transmission envelope addressed by Wright. On August 14, 1914, a recently-hired chef set Wright's house (Taliesen) on fire and murdered Margaret (Mamah) Cheney, who had lived with Wright since 1909 (although he was still married to his first wife, Catherine), as well as her two children and two others. Miriam Noel offered Wright sympathy and he soon asked her to move into Taliesen with him. Catherine finally agreed to a divorce in 1922 and Wright married Miriam in November 1923. By April of 1924, she had left him. Despite numerous attempts by the couple's attorneys to finalize a divorce, they would not come to a settlement until August 1927. By that time, Wright had been living with Olga Milanoff Hinzenberg for over two years. At the time Wright wrote this letter to Miriam, Olga was pregnant with their daughter Iovanna. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold