1911-1941. 46 signed letters [34 TLS, 12 ALS] comprising decades of correspondence between Frederick Gardner Cottrell and various notable figures of his day in U.S. politics, the international science community, and academia. All letters are housed in new archival mylar sleeves. Cottrell was a notable chemist, inventor, and philanthropist, best known today for his invention of the electrostatic precipitator - one of the first inventions to combat air pollution - and his founding of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement, which used the revenue from the electrostatic precipitator to fund further scientific research, and continues to do so today. While best remembered for these feats, Cottrell had a long and influential career both in the U.S. Federal Government and as a science consultant. He was well known nationally and internationally - in industry, in government, and in academia - for his support of and contributions to new ideas and new talent within the scientific community.

The letters, which span from 1901-1941, track Cottrell over the course of 40 years, and evidence the many relationships he had over that period with some of the most influential people of the time. These include a letter of introduction from Alexander Graham Bell, a discussion of chemistry with Thomas Edison, replies from two Nobel Prize winning scientists - the discoverer of the noble gasses, William Ramsay, and discoverer of the electron, J. J. Thomson - to Cottrell’s request to study in their labs, and exchanges with two presidents, Herbert Hoover and Woodrow Wilson. Other letters show his personal interactions with leading scientists of his day (Robert J. Van de Graaff, Georges Claude, George E. Hale) and heads of industry (Henry L. Doherty, Ivy Lee), and track the path of his career through his time as the director of the Bureau of Mines; to chairman of the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Technology on the National Research Council; to head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fixed Nitrogen Research Lab, and beyond. These letters, the vast majority of which were sent by these notable figures to Cottrell, evidence his expertise, the depth and breadth of his professional interests, and his eagerness to collaborate and share research and ideas, coming together to trace the life of a man whose work was and continues to be consequential to the advancement of science as a whole.

Shelved case 1.

1409640

Shelved Dupont Bookstore

Price: $13,000

NOTES

CONTENTS:

1-Page TLS from inventor of the telephone Alexander Graham Bell to a Mr. Fish, dated December 20, 1911, introducing Cottrell to him. In Very Good condition. In this letter, Bell is writing in his capacity as Regent of the Smithsonian Institution. On 1331 Connecticut Avenue letterhead. Faintly creased, with mild wrinkling along the edges. Signed in black ink by Bell: “Alexander Graham Bell”.

1-page TLS from inventor of the light bulb Thomas Edison to Cottrell dated January 13, 1925, discussing the unexpected results of a past chemistry experiment of his in relation to the generation of ammonia. In Very Good condition. TLS is on Edison's personal letterhead ("From the Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison"). Lightly age toned, with some wrinkling and small closed tears along the top edge. Faintly creased from past folding. Signed by Edison in black ink: "Thos. A. Edison". Includes a lightly soiled 1-page facsimile of Cottrell's reply.

2-page ALS from Nobel Prize winning physicist Joseph John Thomson to an unnamed recipient, likely Cottrell, dated July 6, 1901, discussing the possibility of Cottrell coming to study at Thomson’s lab. In Very Good condition. In 1901, Cottrell would have been studying in Europe at the University of Berlin, seeking to study in the laboratory of an accomplished scientist. Thomson was already a figure of some renown for his 1897 discovery of the electron, which represented the first identification of a subatomic particle, and would be awarded the 1906 Nobel Prize in Physics in recognition of his work. ALS is on Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge letterhead, and shows a faint crease across the middle and light pencil writing in the top margin of the first page. Small red pencil mark beneath letterhead. Signed in black ink by Thomson: “J. J. Thomson”.

1-page ALS from Nobel Prize winning chemist William Ramsay to an unnamed recipient, likely Cottrell, dated 14th August, 1901, in which Ramsay says there is no availability for Cottrell to study in his lab. In Very Good condition. As with the letter from J. J. Thomson, Cottrell would have been studying in Europe at the University of Berlin at the time this letter was sent. In 1901, Ramsay was just a few years away from his landmark 1904 discovery of argon, the first identified noble gas, which would earn him the 1904 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and lead to the development of a new section of the periodic table. ALS is lightly toned along the edges, faintly creased, with a similar red pencil mark in the top margin. Signed by Ramsay in black ink: “W. Ramsay”.

1-page TLS from U.S. President Herbert Hoover to Cottrell, dated September 17, 1920. In Very Good minus condition. Brief letter of thanks for Cottrell's forwarding another person's letter to Hoover. On Hoover's personal letterhead. Faintly stamped, "Received / 1920 Sep 18 / Interior Department Bureau of Mines / Washington D.C.". Small rust marks and light wrinkling along the top margin; faintly creased. Signed in black ink by Hoover: "Herbert Hoover".

Two 1-page TLS's from Herbert Hoover, each part of an exchange with Cottrell. In Very Good condition. Includes a 2-page facsimile of Cottrell's response. First Hoover TLS sent February 5, 1926; Cottrell's response sent February 8, 1926; Hoover's second TLS sent February 12, 1926. In his first letter, Hoover asks Cottrell about the potential improper investigation of a new method of creating aluminum by the Bureau of Mines. In the second letter, Hoover thanks Cottrell for clearing up the issue. Hoover's letters are on Department of Commerce letterhead. Letters show faint creasing from past folding, and small puncture marks and wrinkles where they had previously been stapled. Small pencil mark in top margin of first letter. TLS's signed in black ink by Hoover: "Herbert Hoover".

1-page TLS from Herbert Hoover to Cottrell, dated April 5, 1941. In Very Good condition. Brief letter of thanks. Letter is on Hoover's personal letterhead, lightly age toned, with mild wrinkling and faint creasing. Light pencil writing, not of Hoover's hand, in the top margin and above the address. Signed in black ink by Hoover: "Herbert Hoover".

1-page TLS from U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Woodrow Wilson to Franklin K. Lane dated 20 August, 1918. In Very Good condition. Letter discusses a bill allowing the government more leeway in the acceptance of patents. Includes a copy of Lane’s initial letter to Wilson about the bill, and a handwritten secretarial note indicating Cottrell’s interest in the letters. Wilson’s TLS is on White House letterhead, with two faint ink stamps in the top and bottom margins. Faintly creased, with some wrinkling along the top edge and some scuffing on the reverse side. Signed in black ink by Wilson: “Woodrow Wilson”.

1-page TLS from Woodrow Wilson to Cottrell, dated 31 December, 1920, with original White House envelope. In Very Good condition with a Very Good minus envelope. In the letter, Wilson accepts Cottrell’s resignation as Director of the Bureau of Mines so that Cottrell can serve as Chairman of the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Technology on the National Research Council. Letter is on White House letterhead. Envelope is lightly soiled and wrinkled along edges, with faint pencil writing, not in Wilson’s hand, on the front. Flap is partially torn away. Letter is typed on one face of a folded sheet. Lightly age toned and foxed, with a faint crease where it was folded in half. Signed in black ink by Wilson: “Woodrow Wilson”.

1-page TLS from M.I.T. President Karl T. Compton to Cottrell dated May 16, 1933. In Very Good minus condition. In his letter, Compton recommends Arthur M. Miller to Cottrell to be one of the directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Letter is on M.I.T. Office of the President letterhead. Letter is faintly creased, with some rust marks along the left side and faint wrinkling along the top edge. Blue and gray pencil notation in the top margin; one instance of pencil underlining in text. Signed in pencil by Compton: “Karl T. Compton”.

1-page ALS from linguist, philosopher, and writer Charles Kay Ogden to Cottrell, dated June 29, 1933. In Very Good condition. In the letter, Ogden informs Cottrell of his travel plans, and expresses hope for the two to meet. The letter evidences Cottrell's abiding interest in the development of an international auxiliary language, linking to Ogden’s work in the construction of Basic English. Letter is on “Orthological Institute for the Promotion of Research in the Science of Language” letterhead, with typed information about the Institute along the top and left margins. Faintly creased, with faint wrinkling in the top left corner. Ogden’s name in letterhead is underlined in red pencil. Signed in black ink by Ogden: “C. K. Ogden”.

1-page TLS from Robert Cecil, key architect of the League of Nations and Nobel Peace Prize winner, to Cottrell, undated. In Very Good minus condition. Brief inquiry on Cottrell’s thoughts on the “problem of an international auxiliary language”. Letter is faintly creased, with toning along the edges and faint smudging. Small purple ink stamp beneath the address reads “Oct - 4 hec’d”. Signed in black ink by Cecil: “Robert Cecil”.

2-page TLS from Inazō Nitobe, serving at the time as deputy secretary general of the League of Nations, to Cottrell, dated 20th January, 1922. In Good plus condition. A lengthy letter typed on both sides of a long sheet, in which Nitobe seeks Cottrell’s advice regarding “the International Cooperation scheme”, where the scientific institutions of various nations would cooperate and share their research, and the international auxiliary language Esperanto. The letter is on League of Nations letterhead. Bears three horizontal creases where the letter has been folded into four segments, with closed tears at the ends of the creases. Some soiling and wrinkling align the left and top edges, with a small closed tear at the top. Small puncture and small pencil marking in the top margin. Signed in black ink by Nitobe: “Inazo Nitobe”.

2-page TLS on two sheets from Australian physiologist and biochemist Thorburn Brailsford Robertson to Cottrell, dated 15th February 1923. In Very Good minus condition. Robertson discusses a report of Cottrell’s, and its use in relation to the promotion of soil bacteriology research in Australia. On University of Adelaide letterhead. Lightly age toned, with several faint creases and wrinkling along the top margins. Staple punctures and closed tears in top edges. Pencil line in margin of first page. Signed in black ink by Robertson: “T. Brasilford Robertson”.

1-page TLS and 1-page ALS from U.S. Secretary of War George Henry Dern. TLS is addressed to Cottrell, dated April 14, 1934; ALS is addressed to a Col. Waite, undated. Very Good minus TLS with Very Good ALS. The TLS discusses Cottrell’s recommendation of Jim Elton for the next Director of the Bureau of Mines; the ALS requests that Waite communicate with Cottrell and Elton about the “Great Salt Lake Dike scheme”. Both letters are on War Department letterhead, with the TLS on a full-size sheet and the ALS on a smaller card. TLS is faintly creased and lightly age toned, with mild wrinkling and some rust marks in the top margin. ALS is more moderately age toned, with light wear along edges. TLS signed in pencil, ALS signed in black ink: “Geo. H. Dern”.

1-page TLS from businessman E. A. W. Jefferies to Cottrell, dated August 17, 1925. In Very Good condition. Discusses an experiment of Jefferies’ regarding the production of Liquid Air. On Jefferies-Norton Corporation letterhead. Light wrinkling, some staple punctures, and a small closed tear in the top edge. Signed in black ink by Jefferies: “EAW Jefferies”.

1-page TLS from President of the University of California Robert G. Sproul to Cottrell, dated July 28, 1931. In Very Good condition. In the letter, Sproul discusses plans for he and Cottrell to meet, and thanks Cottrell for his offer to promote the University of California’s research efforts on the east coast. On University of California Office of the President letterhead. Letter is faintly creased, with light age toning, and some rust marks and mild wrinkling along the top edge. Signed in black ink by Sproul: “Robert G. Sproul”. Includes typed secretarial note acknowledging Cottrell’s receipt of Sproul’s letter.

1-page TLS from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Henry C. Wallace to Cottrell, dated January 31, 1924, congratulating Cottrell on his recognition by the American Chemical Society as one of “thirty three Americans who have achieved eminence in chemistry”. In Very Good condition. On Secretary of Agriculture letterhead. Faintly age toned and creased, with faint staple marks and a Department of Agriculture blind stamp in the top left corner. Signed in black ink by Wallage: “Henry C Wallace”.

1-page TLS from American politician and important figure in the history of U.S. wildlife conservation and natural resource management Gifford Pinchot to Cottrell, dated December 9, 1925, discussing Cottrell’s potential interest in a report of the Giant Power Survey Board due to its relation to his work in fixed nitrogen. In Very Good condition. As the 4th Chief of the Division of Forestry, Pinchot, alongside President Theodore Roosevelt, helped establish the United States Forest Service, where Pinchot would serve as the first chief. At the time of this letter’s writing, he was in office as Governor of Pennsylvania. Letter is on Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor’s Office letterhead. Very faintly wrinkled along edges, with some staple punctures and rust marks in top left corner. Signed by Pinchot in black ink: “Gifford Pinchot”.

5-page ALS from W. W. Hutchings to Cottrell, dated March 21st, 1916, discussing some past difficulties in Hutching’s chemistry research and Cottrell’s progress in that area, which Hutchings requesting that Cottrell send one of his papers. In Very Good minus condition. Written on two four-page Cookson & Co. memorandum cards. Cards are lightly age toned and faintly creased, with rust marks on the top margins. Small stains on the first page; pencil bracket in the left margin of the second page. Written in black ink, signed by Hutchings: “W. W. Hutchings”.

2-page ALS from George E. Hale to Cottrell, dated May 20, 1920, congratulating him on his appointment to the directorship of the Bureau of Mines. In Very Good plus condition. Hale was a notable American astrophysicist known today for the discovery of magnetic fields in sunspots, and for his role in the construction of several large telescopes, which themselves have led to the discovery of many astrological bodies. Letterhead reads “425 Rose Avenue, South Pasadena, California”. Letter is age toned and faintly creased, but otherwise clean. Written and signed in black ink by Hale: “George E. Hale”.

1 page ALS from George E. Hale to Cottrell, dated June 12, 1921, inviting Cottrell to a lunch at the University Club. In Very Good plus condition. Written on a University Club folded card. Lightly age toned. Faintly creased. Written and signed by Hale in black ink: “George E. Hale”.

2-page TLS from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture William Marion Jardine to Cottrell, dated March 3, 1926, discussing the Department of Agriculture’s preparation of an exhibit for the Sesqui-Centennial Exposition under a tight timeframe. In Very Good condition. On Department of Agriculture letterhead, printed on two sheets. Blind stamped on first page. Mildly age toned, with staple punctures and mild wrinkling in the top margins. Light smearing to text. Signed in black ink by Jardine: “W M Jardine”.

4-page ALS from the “Edison of France” Georges Claude to Cottrell, dated 25 Sept ‘24, discussing the relevance of Claude’s work in ammonia generation to Cottrell’s research in fixed nitrogen. In Very Good condition. Georges Claude was a French inventor and engineer known for his work in the liquefaction of air, invention of neon lighting, and the Claude process of high-pressure ammonia manufacturing; a collaborator with the Germans in World War II, he was later imprisoned and stripped of his honors. On Claude’s personal letterhead, written on a folded card. Card is lightly age toned, with some mild wear along edges. Written and signed in black ink: “Georges Claude”.

1-page TLS from Georges Claude to Cottrell, dated 21 Mai 1926, discussing the application of Claude’s high-pressure ammonia synthesis process at the Belle, West Virginia ammonia plant. In Very Good minus condition. Letter is lightly age toned, with light pencil writing near the top margin and several faint creases. Moderate scuffing on reverse side, with some small chips and closed tears along edges. Signed in black ink by Claude: “G Claude”.

1-page TLS from notable U.S. Senator and creator of the Tennessee Valley Authority George W. Norris to Henry Wallace, dated February 12, 1923, inquiring into the work of Cottrell’s Fixed Nitrogen Laboratory. In Very Good condition. On U.S. Senate letterhead, lightly age toned and faintly creased. Secretarial signature from Cottrell’s lab beneath date. Receipt stamps on reverse side. Mildly wrinkled, with small rust marks on top margin. Some pencil underlining present. Signed in black ink by Norris: “G. W. Norris”.

1-page TLS from George W. Norris to H. M. Bain, dated February 14, 1923, referencing an attached letter not included here and requesting it be passed along to Cottrell’s Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory. In Very Good condition. On U.S. Senate letterhead, lightly age toned and faintly creased. Secretarial signature and receipt stamp from Cottrell’s lab near the date. Another receipt stamp on the reverse side. Some wrinkling and rust marks near the top edge. Signed in black ink by Norris: “G. W. Norris”.

1-page TLS from George W. Norris to Cottrell, dated August 1, 1925, discussing the outreach of some Australian scientists to him regarding Cottrell’s work. In Very Good condition. On U.S. Senate letterhead, very lightly age toned and faintly creased. Staple puncture in top right corner. Signed in black ink by Norris: “G. W. Norris”. Includes a copy of Cottrell’s unsigned, typed reply.

1-page TLS from George W. Norris to Cottrell, dated December 20, 1926, inquiring about the potential involvement of German interests in the operation of the Muscle Shoals plant. In Very Good condition. On U.S. Senate letterhead, lightly age toned and faintly creased. Some small smudges in the bottom margin and along the edges, with some pencil notation in the top right corner. Top left corner bears a small staple puncture. Signed in black ink by Norris: “G. W. Norris”. Also includes a small handwritten note referencing German involvement in the Muscle Shoals plant, writer unknown.

1-page TLS from American geologist George Otis Smith to Cottrell, dated January 30, 1926, inviting Cottrell to a dinner at the Cosmos Club. In Very Good minus condition. On Smith’s personal U.S. Geological Survey letterhead. Lightly age toned, with a faint crease across the center. Light pencil writing in the top margin. Faint stains and scuffs present. Signed by Smith in black ink: “Geo Otis Smith”.

1-page TLS from Robert J. Van de Graff to Cottrell, dated May 12, 1933, updating Cottrell on the progress of Van de Graff’s work. In Very Good minus condition. Van de Graff is best known for his invention of the Van de Graaff generator, which was an important particle acceleration tool in nuclear physics research. Van de Graff’s work was made possible, in part, by a grant he received from Cottrell’s Research Corporation. Letter is on M.I.T. Department of Physics letterhead. Faintly creased, with light age toning, some scattered stains and rust marks, and mild wrinkling along the top edge. Text contains Van de Graff’s pen edits. Signed in blue ink: “R. J. Van de Graff”.

1-page TLS from founder of the Citgo Petroleum Corporation Henry L. Doherty to a Mr. Fairchild, dated January 7, 1933, on the subject of inviting Cottrell to stay at the Miami Biltmore Hotel. In Very Good minus condition. On Henry L. Doherty & Company letterhead. Faintly creased, with faint smudging and some scattered, small stains. Dog-ear fold to bottom left corner. Light wrinkling with small closed tears along edges. Signed by Doherty in black ink: ”Henry L. Doherty”.

1-page TLS from the “founder of modern public relations” Ivy Lee to Cottrell, dated February 5, 1929, inquiring about further developments regarding a Mr. Figard. In Very Good condition. On “4 East 66th Street” letterhead. Faintly creased, with toning along edges. Rust marks from paperclip in top left corner. Signed in black ink by Lee: “Ivy Lee”.

1-page TLS from Italian senator, businessman, and geothermal energy pioneer Piero Ginori Conti to Cottrell, dated April 15th, 1932, on an upcoming meeting between Conti and an associate of Cottrell’s. In Very Good condition. On Senato del Regno letterhead. Faintly creased and light age toned, with some faint smudging. Signed in black ink by Conti: “P. Ginori Conti”. Faint pencil writing beneath signature reads “Prince Ginori Conti”.

1-page ALS from United States ambassador to the United Nations Adlai E. Stevenson II, likely to Cottrell, undated. In Very Good condition. Brief letter of thanks. On Stevenson’s personal letterhead. Faintly creased, folded back along the left and right edges, lightly age toned. Written and signed by Stevenson in black ink: “Adlai E. Stevenson”.

1-page TLS from engineer, inventor, and President of the Carnegie Institution Vannevar Bush to Cottrell, dated May 1, 1940, with an ALS reply from Cottrell written on the reverse side. In Very Good minus condition. In this exchange, Bush reminds Cottrell to tell him where to obtain light-hardening tung oil and inform him of how to use it, and Cottrell replies with the relevant information. Bush would head the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development in World War II, and was notable for his work in analog computers, involvement in the Manhattan Project, and push for government support of science, leading to the founding of the National Science Foundation. Both letters are on the same sheet, which is Carnegie Institution of Washington, Office of the president letterhead. TLS side has pencil notes in the margins, not in Cottrell’s hand. Cottrell’s ALS is written in pencil, with moderate smudging to text. Sheet shows light wrinkling along the top edge, with scattered rust marks and scuffs, and faint creases. Signed by Bush in black ink (“V. Bush”) and by Cottrell in pencil (“F. G. Cottrell”).

1-page TLS from American politician (and later, U.S. secretary of state) Dean G. Acheson to Cottrell, dated 7 June 1921, congratulating Cottrell on his acceptance into the Penguin Club. Also includes a bill dated Feb. 3, 1922, filled out by hand, likely also from Acheson, and a typed card reminding members to pay their dues. All items in Very Good minus condition. Letter is on “The Penguins” letterhead, age toned and faintly creased, with wrinkling and rust marks along the top edge and pencil notes in the bottom margin. Bill is similarly age toned and creased, with an open tear in the top edge. Typed card is lightly age toned and worn along edges. Letter is signed in black ink by Acheson: “Dean G. Acheson”.

1-page TLS from American mining engineer, diplomat, and philanthropist John Hays Hammond to Cottrell, dated June 15, 1926, thanking Cottrell for the birthday wishes. In Very Good plus condition. On “2221 Kalorama Road” letterhead, with light age toning and faint creasing. Signed by Hammond in black ink: “John Hays Hammond”.

1-page TLS from American financier and statesman Bernard M. Baruch to Cottrell, dated March 12, 1925, coordinating a meeting between the two. In Very Good minus condition. On Baruch’s personal letterhead, lightly age toned and faintly creased. Hole punches in top margin; rusted staple in top corner. Pencil writing on reverse side. Signed very faintly by Baruch in green ink: “Bernard M. Baruch”.

1-page TLS from founder of the Eastman Kodak Company, George Eastman, to Cottrell, dated January 11th, 1922, apologizing for being unable to support Cottrell’s “universalization of language campaign”. In Very Good condition. On Eastman Kodak company letterhead, lightly wrinkled and toned along edges, faintly creased. Signed in blue ink by Eastman: “Geo Eastman”.

1-page ALS from businessman Jens Orten Boving to Cottrell, dated 19th July, 1930, with Cottrell’s ALS reply, dated July 22, 1930. In Very Good minus condition. The letters discuss Boving’s arrival in Denver and meeting engineers from the Reclamation Bureau. Boving’s ALS is faintly creased and age toned, with some wear and wrinkling along the edges. Typed address is pasted in the top left corner, with rust marks. Written and signed by Boving in black ink: “J. O. Boving”. The letter additionally bears pencil notes from Cottrell. Cottrell’s ALS response is on a Western Union notecard, with more moderate age toning, light wrinkling, and faint creasing. Written and signed in pencil: “F. G. Cottrell”.

1-page TLS from influential Polish-American philosopher Alfred Korzybski to Cottrell, dated March 21, 1928, requesting a letter of introduction to a Dr. Tollman. In Very Good condition. Korzybski is best known for his work in the creation of the general semantics branch of philosophical thought. Faintly creased, with some small chips and closed tears along edges. Signed in blue ink by Korzybski: “A. Korzybski”. Includes a copy of Cottrell’s typed response.