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Lot 2320

FLEMING, ALEXANDER. 1881-1955.

11 June 2008, 13:00 EDT
New York

Sold for US$2,400 inc. premium

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FLEMING, ALEXANDER. 1881-1955.

Typed Letter Signed (“Alexander Fleming”), 1 p, 4to, Paddington, May 20, 1949, to Wallace McEwen, on Wright-Fleming Institute of Microbiology letterhead, enclosing the foreword to McEwen’s book, Bacteriological Technique, matted and framed with portrait to 17 by 19 inches. With: Fleming’s 1½-page typescript Foreword as mentioned in the letter (folded, some wear).

In part: “I have much pleasure in sending you the Foreword to your book ‘Bacteriological Technique’. I hope you will think it worthy of the book. I read through most of this with considerable interest but I have a very serious misfortune to report to you. The first galley which you sent is somehow mislaid. I should have sent the whole thing back a fortnight ago, but I have spent the last fortnight looking for it without any success. I have no doubt you will be able to get a copy but it means you will have to correct it all over again. I sincerely regret this carelessness….”
See illustration.

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