Harmer-Schau Auctions

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Sale 90

APS StampShow Auction

Autographs

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1		Autographs, Bell, Alexander Graham, Handwritten letter from Bell to his parents, dated June 10th, 1878, and signed in ink by Bell as "your loving son, Alex". The letter announces the name of Bell's daughter to his parents and offers detailed description and a charming drawing explaining how to prevent electrocution during a lightning storm, and features Bell's own drawings of a telephone terminal and connection. The lot consists of two uneven folded sheets of handwritten text and an envelope addressed to Bell's father, Fine to Very Fine. The letter was found in A.W. Clime's stamp collection and the stamp corner has been removed. Estimate $10,000-12,000. View details and photo	Realized $12,075
Lot 2		Autographs, Bell, Alexander Graham, Handwritten 4-page letter from Bell to his wife, on Beinn Bhreagh, Nova Scotia letterhead, dated April 17, 1917, signed in ink by Bell as "Your loving Alex". The letter details Bell's rather amazing trek from Washington back to Nova Scotia, including a row-boat trip across an icy channel with an assistant in an attempt to circumvent a closed passage to his estate. Folded, Fine to Very Fine. Estimate $4,000-5,000. View details and photo	Realized $4,715
Lot 3		Autographs, Bell, Alexander Graham, Check signed by Bell, addressed to Little, Brown & Co. (publishers), dated Sept. 9th, 1882, and drawn on the Newport National Bank in Rhode Island. Somewhat worn, about Fine, but a very crisp clean signature. Estimate $750-1,000. View details and photo	Realized $604
Lot 4		Autographs, Bell, Alexander Graham, Typed letter to A.W. Clime, signed in ink by Bell, dated 1917 Dec 31. Bell is in financial difficulties and writes to Clime hoping that Clime has "been looking out for another position that will relieve me of your salary account, as it is obvious that I cannot give you sufficient employment at Washington while I am in Nova Scotia … I have no wish to dispense with your services, which have been very valuable to me, and yet I must confess that it will be a financial relief to me if you can get employment elsewhere." Light file folds and a few minor edge stains, otherwise Very Fine, with a particularly distinct and clear signature. Estimate $1,000-1,500. View details and photo	Realized $604
Lot 5		Autographs, Bell, Alexander Graham, Typed letter on Beinn Bhreagh, Nova Scotia letterhead, to A.W. Clime, with Bell's clear signature in ink, dated 1917 July 31. In it Bell thanks Clime for "the proof of the first three pages of the Hyde book. I return these, with one correction. They are O.K. and I want it gone ahead with." Minor file folds and light toning, also a 10¢ Bell Famous Americans stamp has adhered to the top, still Fine to Very Fine and a clear signature. Estimate $750-1,000. View details and photo	Realized $604
Lot 6		Autographs, Edison, Thomas A., 1847-1931, prolific American inventor, among whose inventions are the electric light and the phonograph. Edison and Bell were born a month apart and were friendly rivals for much of their careers. Edison made numerous improvement's to the telephone himself., Handwritten letter to "Prof. A. Graham Bell", dated Apr 24, 1879, with handstamped letterhead "From the laboratory of T.A. Edison, Menlo Park, N.J., U.S.A." The letter concerns a request from Edison for a photo of Bell; Edison had received the request from Scribner magazine. The letter is accompanied by the original envelope; both are probably secretarially written and signed. Very Fine. Estimate $100-150. View details and photo	Realized $374
Lot 7		Autographs, Eiffel, Gustave, 1832-1923, noted French engineer and architect, his most well-known creation being the Eiffel Tower in Paris., Carte de visite signed, with original envelope, addressed to Alexander Graham Bell in Washington, D.C., dated 1913. Note references a brochure of the Smithsonian which Bell had sent to Eiffel. Very Fine. Estimate $300-500. View details and photo	Realized $265
Lot 8		Autographs, Eliot, Charles William, 1834-1926, American educator, became president of Harvard University, serving the longest term as president in the university's history, and in the process transforming the university into the national institution it still is today., Typed letter signed, on Harvard University letterhead, addressed to Alexander Graham Bell, dated November 28, 1906. In the letter, Eliot recommends a candidate for the secretaryship of the Smithsonian Institute. Clean and attractive, Very Fine. Estimate $100-150. View details and photo	Realized $58
Lot 9		Autographs, Hubbard, Gardiner G., 1822-1897, Alexander Graham Bell's father-in-law. A noted lawyer and financier, he served as Bell's chief financial supporter during his development of the telephone. He was one of the founders and the first president of the National Geographic Cociety. Hubbard created the Bell Telephone Company on July 9, 1877, with himself as president. Hubbard was a principal investor in the Edison Speaking Phonograph Company as well. Mt. Hubbard in Alaska and the National Geographic's annual award are named after him., Stampless ALS dated June 21st, 1846, to his wife Gertrude, with fancy blue Buffalo, N.Y. postmark. Letter is four pages, handwritten and signed, and discusses his many travels. Fine to Very Fine. Estimate $100-150. View details and photo	Realized $58
Lot 10		Autographs, Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1882, American author and poet, the most popular American poet of the 19th century. Among his works are "The Song of Hiawatha" and "Paul Revere's Ride"., Handwritten letter signed, dated March 30, 1876, addressed to Gardiner G. Hubbard, Alexander Graham Bell's father-in-law. In the letter Longfellow thanks Gardiner for an invitation to meet Professor Bell, but indicated he was "too ill to go out at night". He also answered a question about a photograph of himself. Longfellow's signature is crisp and clear, and the letter, aside from a trivial toning area, is in excellent condition, Very Fine. Estimate $150-200. View details and photo	Realized $127
Lot 11		Autographs, Lowell, James Russell, 1819-1891, American poet, critic, essayist, editor and diplomat., Handwritten letter signed, dated 29th April 1876, addressed to Alexander Graham Bell. In the letter, Lowell answers a request from Bell about a photograph of himself. Light irregular toning (Clime had placed a stamp at bottom), otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $100-150. View details and photo	Unsold
Lot 12		Autographs, Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and after his death, United Nations diplomat and humanitarian., Typewritten letter to A.W. Clime, signed in ink by Eleanor Roosevelt, dated December 18, 1941 (very shortly after Pearl Harbor was bombed). Some uneven toning (Clime had left stamps in front of the letter), otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $150-200 Following Clime's work for Alexander Graham Bell, he began a 37 year career as a civil servant in the federal government. This letter was sent as a follow-up to an event in the Interdepartmental Auditorium (now the Andrew Mellon Auditorium), of which Clime served as superintendant. View details and photo	Realized $109
Lot 13		Autographs, Schley, Admiral Winfield Scott, 1839-1911, American admiral, commanded the American Squadron at the battle of Santiago de Cuba., Handwritten letter signed, dated Jan 19th, 1907, addressed to Alexander Graham Bell. In the letter, Schley recommends someone to succeed Prof. Langley. Minor toning (Clime had placed a stamp at bottom), otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $150-200. View details and photo	Realized $86
Lot 14		Autographs, Byrd, Richard E (1888-1957) American aviation pioneer and Antarctic explorer, framed ALS dated October 24, 1935, addressed to Miss Ruth Wicks, with photo and American flag "which I carried with me during our 30,000 miles of flying in the Antarctic", great piece of history! . Ms. Wicks worked for Albert Lodwick, a leading figure in pioneer aviation and assisted in the preparations for this second expedition. Estimate $500-750. View details and photo	Realized $2,645
Lot 15		Autographs, Edison, Thomas Alva (1847-1931) American inventor of the electric lamp and the phonograph, Soiled sheet of 100, stuck to mounting paper, initials "TAE" in selvage at left, original consignment for E.C. Worden II (of First Day cachet fame) incl. very unusual item, last offered in 1959 (copy of auction cat.incl.), some selvage damage, , only 4 sheets signed . Estimate $450-550. View details and photo	Realized $460
Lot 16		Autographs, Eisenhower, Dwight D (1890-1969) 34th President of the United States, 1953-1961, autograph on special helicopter flight cover while visiting Greece in 1959, nice item. Estimate $150-200. View details and photo	Realized $161
Lot 17		Autographs, Himmler, Heinrich (1900-1945) German Nazi leader, signed H. Himmler (greeting) at bottom of picture postcard 1939 from Memel to Berlin, handwritten by General Wolff. Obtained from OSS Officer Karl Wolff. Estimate $300-400. View details and photo	Realized $604
Lot 18		Autographs, Hughes, Howard (1905-1976) American industrialist, movie producer and aviator, signed aviation photo with inscription "to Ruth Wicks, best wishes, Howard Hughes", lovely and scarce piece of aviation history. Ms. Wicks was the secretary to Albert Lodwick, a leading figure in pioneer aviation. Estimate $1,500-2,000. View details and photo	Realized $1,783
Lot 19		Autographs, Truman, Harry S (1884-1972) 33rd President of the United States,1945-1953, signature on 1945 U.N. Conference FDC, Brookman cat. $750. Estimate $150-200. View details and photo	Realized $161
Lot 20		Autographs, Van Buren, Martin (1782-1862) 8th President of the United States, 1837-1841, Signed as Attorney General (State of N.Y.) on 1816 Supreme Court document, folded with some splitting along folds, clean. Estimate $300-400. View details and photo	Unsold
Lot 21		Autographs, Presidential Group, Consisting of Herbert Hoover on Stanford University business size card; 5 1916-17 Woodrow Wilson typed letters signed to John Small (House of Representatives - 3 with some water soiling not affecting signatures); William Taft signature on 1921 typed letterhead to Henry Phillips of the "University of the South". Estimate $500-700. View details and photo	Realized $1,093
Lot 22		Autographs, Miscellaneous Group, Incl. 14 Donitz signatures on letters, cards signed 1977-79 period, Mamie Eisenhower handwritten note, Speer 2 letters signed 1980-81, few other items, clean group. Estimate $100-150. View details	Realized $978

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