On January 18-19, 2024 Maryland auctioneers Alexander Historical Auctions, known internationally for their sale of historical military objects, will be offering an amazing description of the development of the atomic bomb signed by 24 of the leading scientists and administrators of the Manhattan Project, including J. Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi, Ernest Lawrence, James Chadwick, and Harold Urey. The signed book, printed only days after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, came to the auction house through a simple stroke of luck. Owner Bill Panagopulos recently had his new home in the tiny community of Chesapeake City inspected and the inspector mentioned that he knew a woman whose mother had worked on the Manhattan Project. Panagopulos initially scoffed at the lead, as hundreds of secretaries had worked on the project. When he saw the piece, he was dumbstruck. The owner, a local schoolteacher, had passed the priceless book around in her high school class for years not knowing its incredible importance. Asked about his discovery, Panagopulos exclaimed: “Yes indeed, ‘there’s gold in them thar hills!’ The most incredible items still rest in people’s attics!”
Other important items to be offered in the same sale include historic pieces associated with French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Preeminent among them is a stunning, beautifully detailed hunting rifle owned and used by Bonaparte. This very rare hunting piece was crafted by Viennese and French master gunsmiths and exhibits stunning workmanship and detail, including richly chiseled silver fittings in relief and ornate carving to the stock. It is estimated to sell at $100-150,000. Other Bonaparte items include a lock of hair taken from Bonaparte’s head while he lay on his deathbed, a contemporary noted artist’s marble bust of Bonaparte, and a book from his library while he was in exile on St. Helena.
Also to be offered is the original design description of the first jet engine, the tablecloth used by Saddam Hussein at his cabinet and military meetings, and a bejeweled brooch bearing a lock of George Washington’s hair.
Bidding will be available live, by telephone, and at the auctioneer’s web site.
Bidding is also available at websites invaluable.com and liveauctioneers.com. Alexander Historical Auctions may be reached at 203-276-1570, email: 371198@email4pr.com, sales@alexautographs.com, website: historyauctioneer.com.
