Description:

Robert Goddard
[Roswell, NM], July 4, 1941
Robert Goddard TLS On "rocket development in New Mexico"
TLS
A 1p typed letter signed by Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945), American physicist and "one of the fathers of modern rocketry," as "R.H. Goddard" at center. July 4, 1941. [Roswell, New Mexico.] On watermarked stationery with "Mescalero Ranch / Post Office Box 978 / Roswell, New Mexico" letterhead. Expected wear including flattened paper folds and an isolated smudge near the bottom, else near fine. 8.5" x 11." Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope typed "Mr. Ljungquist" and presumably signed by the subject of the letter, Nils T. Ljungquist, as "Nils T. Ljungquist Sr." below. The typed letter and envelope also come with a wonderful vintage photograph of rocket scientists and machinists further described below. 9.625" x 7.5."

Robert H. Goddard wrote this recommendation letter for one of the principal workmen at his Roswell, New Mexico workshop, machinist Nils Thure Ljungquist, who had worked with him there since the early 1930s. Goddard directed the letter to the attention of his old Clark University associate, Dr. Louis Ten Eyck Thompson (1891-1978), who served as the first Chief Physicist at the Naval Proving Grounds at Dahlgren, Virginia from 1923-1941/42. Mescalero Ranch was comprised of Goddard's house, a 1-story adobe structure now known as the Robert H. Goddard House, and his workshop. Goddard lived here during his Roswell period, from 1930-1932 and 1934-1942.

Goddard wrote Dr. Thompson in part:

"This letter will introduce Mr. Nils T. Ljungquist, the machinist about whom I told you… As I then explained, he would like to be considered for work in the Navy Department if and when the rocket development in New Mexico terminates or is interrupted.

He is a very good machinist, and has been especially valuable inasmuch as he is clever and original, and can construct mechanical devices in a simple and practical way from rather general instructions…"

Goddard had been conducting rocket trials at Roswell since 1930. He developed a series of varied and complex rocket prototypes which achieved respectable results: a highest attained flight altitude of 8,000-9,000 feet and a longest flight duration of about 30 seconds, both logged in the Spring of 1937. Goddard - supported by machinists like Ljungquist - was perfecting his P series of rockets in 1940-41. Just a few months before writing this letter, on May 8, 1941, Goddard had tested his Type P-C rocket, a "quarter-ton" loaded rocket powered by propellant turbopumps.

The vintage black and white glossy photograph accompanying the typed letter and envelope shows a group of men standing and seated in two rows. Robert H. Goddard is the man seated at the center of the first row. Nils T. Ljungquist is seated to Goddard's right. The skinny man seated on the extreme right of the front row is probably Charles Mansur, who worked as a welder for Goddard.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: TLS

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