Lot 166
Ericsson, John -- Giving Detailed Instructions (1803-1889) Swedish-born American naval engineer and inventor who built the first armoured turret warship and developed the screw propeller. Autograph Letter Signed ("J. Ericsson"), 3 pages, recto and verso, 4to (conjoining leaves), no place, Oct. 22, 1860. Light toning; some restoration at horizontal folds. Ericsson writes to an unnamed colleague in the days leading up to the Civil War, giving detailed advice. In part: "I see nothing discouraging in McClary’s letter. The fact that the engines run away with the work, not withstanding the small suction, is all sufficient. The leak of the brass lining will take up of itself. The spring of the braces, on the back strut, only proves heavy suction, no doubt owing to the small pipe. Pray tell your men to send the braces to a black smith to put in a stout rod in the middle, full an inch in diameter, the red one good and strong enough….". Estimate $900 - 1,200
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| Realized $1,313 |
