RR Auctions Civil War Bullets

Five Civil War-era bullets, one still housed in its jacket, all framed together to an overall size of 4.75 x 5. In very good overall condition. RRAuction COA.  

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=2050

RR Auctions Albert Einstein

“The discerning reader can gain the information necessary to form an independent opinion on the practical problems of atomic energy”

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TLS signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists letterhead, April 29, 1947. Letter to Miss Fishel. In full: “I am glad to have the opportunity to send you the enclosed book, Explaining the Atom, by Selig Hecht, honorary vice-chairman of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists. Dr. Hecht has succeeded in giving, clearly and simply, an authoritative account of the scientific steps, both theoretical and experimental, that have lead to our present knowledge of nuclear fission. I believe also that from this book the discerning reader can gain the information necessary to form an independent opinion on the practical problems of atomic energy confronting the world today. Remembering your concern for these problems, and your interest in the work of our Committee, I hope that you may also share my admiration and respect for this distinguished book.” Simply framed to an overall size of 9.25 x 11.75. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, and a bit of trivial soiling.

Einstein personally established the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists to warn the public of the dangers associated with the development of nuclear weapons, promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and ultimately work towards world peace. Among the committee members was Hecht, who wrote the “authoritative account of the scientific steps, both theoretical and experimental, that have lead to our present knowledge of nuclear fission” that Einstein here states he was sending. At the time, the book had only recently been published and offered the reader a clear explanation of the atom—unique in that Hecht was the only member of the esteemed committee who was not a nuclear physicist, but rather a biophysicist. The work is still regarded as being unsurpassed as an exposition of the history and the theory of the atom. Einstein clearly admired his colleague and his contributions to help encourage and further the peaceful uses of atomic energy. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=203

RR Auctions Flown Apollo 14 Robbins Medal

Flown Apollo 14 Robbins Medal

Flown Apollo 14 Robbins Medal, approximately 1.5 diameter, with a raised design on the face of the Apollo 14 mission insignia. The reverse of the sterling silver medal is engraved with the full names of astronauts Alan B. Shepard, Stuart A. Roosa, and Edgar D. Mitchell, along with the January 31, 1971, launch date, February 5, 1971, moon landing date, and February 9, 1971 return date. This medal is serial numbered “220” along the rim. In normal condition, with a bit of light tarnishing around the rim. Accompanied by a 1996 letter of authenticity signed by Alan Shepard, which states: “This is to verify that the accompanying silver medal, the insignia of the flight of Apollo 14, was flown to the moon on board the spacecraft during the time period of January 31 until February 9, 1971. It bears the serial number of 220.” Also accompanied by a similar photocopied letter. Remarkably scarce flight-flown mementos such as this—particularly one flown to the moon and with astronaut certification, seldom find their way to the marketplace. 

http://rrauction.com/PreviewContent.cfm?Flown-Apollo-14-Robbins-Medal

RR Auctions James A. Garfield

Extremely rare printed DS as president, one page, 17 x 14, May 16, 1881. President Garfield appoints Edwin F. Tomlinson “Postmaster at Plainville in the County of Hartford, State of Connecticut.” Signed at the conclusion by Garfield, and countersigned by Postmaster General Thomas James. In very good to fine condition, with central horizontal and vertical fold, mild overall toning, just a bit heavier at edges, a few trivial bends and wrinkles, a couple minor spots to borders, and a bit of slight color transfer from ribbon. The gold foil seal is intact and just slightly worn, and retains its red ribbon. Interestingly enough, when Garfield took office, the Post Office Department was the largest department in the federal government—and highly prone to corruption—an embarrassment to both the president and his Republican Party. Documents signed by Garfield while in office are extremely rare, ranking second only to William Henry Harrison in scarcity, with this piece being of a particularly nicer quality than usually encountered. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.


http://www.rrauction.com

RR Auctions Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Extremely rare Tchaikovsky hand-penned musical quotation

Esteemed Russian composer (1840–1893) whose colorful, dramatic, and expressive works represent the epitome of the Russian Romantic tradition and take a place among the most beloved staples of the concert repertory. Rare and extremely desirable AMQS on a 5.5 x 3.75 light green album page. Tchaikovsky pens three bars of an unidentified work, adding “And non hype,” above the quote, and signing “P. Tchaikovsky, London, 19 Apr. 1889.” Matted and framed, with an engraved portrait of the composer, to an overall size of 11 x 16. In very good condition, with a central vertical fold, some mild toning to edges, and a few stray ink marks. Tchaikovsky had served as director of the Moscow branch of the Russian Musical Society during the 1889-1890 season, where he invited a number of international celebrities to conduct,  but he started the year with a European concert tour in January 1889. London was the tour's last stop where he appeared at the Philharmonic Society in Saint James' Hall on April 11, conducting Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat and Suite No. 1. He was also composing his second ballet, Sleeping Beauty, for which he had been commissioned the previous December, writing his brother Modeste that he felt it was one of the best compositions he had ever written. It was completed in 1890, but an unidentified, unused 14-bar Suite in D-minor was discovered among his sketches for the ballet with no other mentions in his notes or letters. The highly desirable unidentified 3-bar exemplar offered here, also written in D-minor, is an uncommon and beautifully well-preserved quote from one of the most important figures of Western music.

The March 2012 Auction closes on Wednesday March 14, 2012

RR Auctions Edgar Allan Poe check $54,966

The only Edgar Allan Poe check known to exist sold for $54,966 in the February auction

http://www.rrauction.com

RR Auctions Love Letters from Elizabeth Taylor

                            RR Auctions Love Letters from Elizabeth Taylor

Before Richard Burton, before Eddie Fisher, before any of her many other husbands, there was another dashing young man who was the secret love of Elizabeth Taylor's life. (rrauction.com)


She fell head-over-heels in love with William Pawley Jr., the 28-year-old son of a former U.S. Ambassador, during a family vacation in Florida.

Taylor's first love is now 90 years old and he's speaking for the first time about the screen goddess.

Pawley told INSIDE EDITION's Les Trent, "It was love at first sight, I'll tell you that."

Trent asked, "If you had married her, do you think your marriage would have lasted?"

"I do," replied Pawley.

They met in 1949. Taylor was just 17 years old and was already a breathtakingly beautiful movie star.

On pale blue stationary she wrote him: "I've never known this kind of love before. It's so perfect and complete."

She called him "Bill darling" and "My dearest baby," and told him, "You are my whole life."

She inscribed: "Bill, until tomorrow. Love, Elizabeth" on the back of one of her photos.

They broke up over 60 years ago, but Pawley told Trent he spoke to Taylor just last year.

"She didn't forget me completely, but she tried to, I think," said Pawley.

Now, Pawley has decided to sell the 66 unpublished love letters Taylor wrote him. They'll be auctioned online in May by RR Auctions of Amherst, New Hampshire.

Bobby Livingston of RR Auctions told INSIDE EDITION, "You can feel her emotion and attachment to this man and how much she wants to love somebody and be loved."

It was so serious, an engagement notice actually appeared in a Miami newspaper.

He gave her a white diamond ring—the first of many diamonds she'd be given by adoring lovers.

But studio bigwigs did their best to keep her relationship with Pawley under wraps. The studio wanted Taylor to date famous football player Glenn Davis.

An angry Taylor wrote: "I don't care what they say anymore. From now on, I'm going to live my life the way I want to."

Her letters to Pawley are filled with sweet moments like: "As I'm sitting here writing to you, I'm just stuffing myself on a box of candy. Honestly, I've got to stop eating so much."

She even offered to give up her career for him. Taylor wrote in one letter: "I'm only ready to say farewell to my career and everything connected to it."

In the end, Pawley was jealous of all the attention showered on his beautiful fiancée. Their engagement ended after six months and a heartbroken Taylor returned his ring.

In a letter to Pawley, Taylor wrote: "I know with all my heart and soul that this is not the end for us. It couldn't be. We love each other too much."

She married her first husband, Nicky Hilton, just eight months later.

Trent asked Pawley, "Were you heartbroken?"

"I was indeed. I didn't marry for 25 years," said Pawley.

"Did it take you that long to get over Elizabeth Taylor?" asked Trent.

"I haven't gotten over her yet," said Pawley.

RR Auctions Einstein print sells for $74G

One of the original signed prints of Albert Einstein sticking his tongue out at photographers has been sold by a New Hampshire auction house for $74,324.

“Every kid has it in their dorm room on the wall,” Bobby Livingston of RRAuction.com in Amherst said Saturday. “It’s such an iconic display of freedom of speech.”

The picture was taken in 1951 by UPI photographer Arthur Sasse after a 72nd birthday celebration for the physicist. As Sasse tried to coax a smile for the camera, Einstein stuck out his tongue.

Two years later, at the height of the McCarthy anti-Communist hearings, Einstein signed the photo and gave it to broadcaster Howard K. Smith as a gesture of his admiration of Smith’s work.

Translated from German, the inscription says: “This gesture you will like, because it is aimed at all of humanity. A civilian can afford to do what no diplomat would dare. Your loyal and grateful listener, A. Einstein ’53.”

By 1953, Einstein had begun speaking out against McCarthyism.

“Einstein, escaping Nazi Germany, fully understood what was happening in this country and was commenting on it,” Livingston said. “That’s what makes it so special, he wrote on it and explained his intentions.”

David Waxman of Great Neck, N.Y., is the new owner. He is a specialist in important scientific books and autographs.

Waxman said the image probably is the most well-known picture of Einstein, appearing on T-shirts and even currently on a New York City billboard.

He said Einstein’s inscription makes it even more valuable.

“It’s one of a kind, highly important, speaks to the culture, speaks to anybody who looks at it and thinks about it a bit,” Waxman said. “It’s a message of intelligent nonconformity.”

Waxman intends to put the photo up for sale, perhaps with other photos of famous scientists

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2009/06/21/news/a7-albert.txt?viewmode=fullstory

RR Auctions AC/DC For Those About to Rock

Color limited edition 22 x 27.5 lithograph entitled ‘For Those About to Rock’, numbered #AP21/50, signed in the lower border in black felt tip by Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Phil Rudd, and Cliff Williams. Rolled and in fine condition. Accompanied by a composite photo of all five members taken at time of signing. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auctions COA. 

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=713

RR Auctions Franklin D. Roosevelt Rare oversized signed portrait of FDR’s unprecedented third inauguration

Historic vintage matte-finish 13 x 10 photo of Roosevelt being sworn in as president for the third time on the steps of the US Capitol, signed in fountain pen, as president “Franklin D. Roosevelt.” Also signed “Charles E. Hughes, Jan 20, 1941,” as chief justice, “Cordell Hull,” as Secretary of State “H. A. Wallace,” as Vice President, and “Charles Elmore Cropley, January 20, 1941,” as clerk of the Supreme Court, who held Roosevelt’s family bible as Hughes administered the oath of office. Matted and framed to an overall size of 17.5 x 15. Some light contrast and a bit of irregular ink adhesion to portions of Roosevelt’s signature, a few scattered light creases, and last letter of Wallace’s signature matted out, otherwise fine condition.

After serving eight years in the White House, FDR faced the difficult choice of running for office again, but worldwide events swayed him to run for an unprecedented third term. He must have felt the ominous tides of war after Hughes administered the oath and heard the thunder of guns when Supreme Court clerk Cropley dropped his family's Dutch bible so soon after he had touched it and sworn the oath. In his inauguration speech, he declared, "In this day the task of the people is to save that Nation and its institutions from disruption from without."

Isolationism in America was coming to an end and Roosevelt felt the pressure of unfolding world events as Winston Churchill on the day of his inauguration admonished neutral nations to support the Allied cause and Japan expanded in intelligence budget to $500,000 to spy on the United States. Surely as he delivered his speech, the president knew the threat as he spoke "In the face of great perils never before encountered, our strong purpose is to protect and to perpetuate the integrity of democracy. For this we muster the spirit of America, and the faith of America. We do not retreat. We are not content to stand still. As Americans, we go forward, in the service of our country, by the will of God." On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a devastating attack on Pearl Harbor and America finally entered World War II. A remarkable image from an unprecedented and historically-significant event. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA. 

http://rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=107

RR Auctions is America’s Autograph Auction

Every month we offer collectors more than 1,250 quality, fully guaranteed signed items, including photos, documents, letters, and books from a variety of categories—just as we have for more than 30 years.
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