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Lot 1037
TESLA, NIKOLA. 1856-1943. Autograph Letter Signed ("N. Tesla"), 2 pp, 8vo (conjoined leaves), New York, November 22, 1909,
25 October 2022, 14:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$14,025 inc. premium
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TESLA, NIKOLA. 1856-1943.
Autograph Letter Signed ("N. Tesla"), 2 pp, 8vo (conjoined leaves), New York, November 22, 1909, to A.D. Hawkins, on Waldorf-Astoria stationery, with autograph envelope in Tesla's hand, also to A.D. Hawkins postmarked August 12, 1907 and with silver gelatin print photographic postcard of Tesla, 4 11/16 x 3 3/16 inches, [1904].
Provenance: Anita Drysdale Hawkins, by descent.
Tesla, ever the optimist ("P.S. Oblige by smiling."), sends funds for his employees' salaries and their Thanksgiving turkeys clearly demonstrating his caring nature. At this point, Tesla was deeply in debt and had turned to working on mechanical engineering projects in order to try to keep his Wardenclyffe plant operating and to try to finally complete it. He still wished to reach his vision of transmitting wireless power around the globe. Tesla also mentions: "Your letter has alarmed me and I would wish you to look for some reliable man to watch the place. If you find one communicate with me at once so that I may arrange for employing him." Apparently this was the result of hearing Ms. Hawkins' report of some vandalism that had occurred at the sparsely staffed plant.
Provenance: Anita Drysdale Hawkins, by descent.
Tesla, ever the optimist ("P.S. Oblige by smiling."), sends funds for his employees' salaries and their Thanksgiving turkeys clearly demonstrating his caring nature. At this point, Tesla was deeply in debt and had turned to working on mechanical engineering projects in order to try to keep his Wardenclyffe plant operating and to try to finally complete it. He still wished to reach his vision of transmitting wireless power around the globe. Tesla also mentions: "Your letter has alarmed me and I would wish you to look for some reliable man to watch the place. If you find one communicate with me at once so that I may arrange for employing him." Apparently this was the result of hearing Ms. Hawkins' report of some vandalism that had occurred at the sparsely staffed plant.

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