Extraordinary archive of Lindbergh material includes five signed, typed letters dated between May 14, 1936 and January 18, 1940. In 1929 his sister-in-law was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease, a disease that carried with it a poor prognosis due primarily to an inability to perform surgical procedures on a beating heart. Once Lindbergh learned that the lack of the surgeon's ability to provide artificial mechanical means of circulating oxygenated blood prevented a cure, he made up his mind to design a pump capable of circulating blood through the body while the heart was being repaired. All the letters are addressed to John Zwick at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical research. The first letter, dated May 14, 1936 reads, in part, 'Your method of demonstrating the action of the one way valve and by-pass look very simple and effective. None of the rotating valves, which were in use at the time I left, were very well made...I believe most of the trouble would have been avoided if the clearance between the rotor and the cylinder had been proper.' The next letter, dated June 13, 1936, shows Lindbergh preparing to demonstrate the pump in Europe. He writes, 'I have just returned from a trip to France, where I saw Dr. Carrel and went over a few of the details in regard to setting up and demonstrating the apparatus at Copenhagen...it may be necessary for me to cable you to have a suitable motor made and sent to Copenhagen to operate the rotating valve.' As the testing time approaches, Lindbergh writes to Zwick on July 8, 1936 stating 'Thank you for arranging to have the 220 volt A. C. motor built and shipped in time for us to use in Copenhagen this August...I have received a letter from Dr. Fischer to the effect that the boxes of equipment were in excellent condition when they arrived.' On March 29, 1938, Lindbergh asks for results in another test. In part, 'I am very much interested in knowing what results you have ad with the new type of floating valve chamber I was working with at the time I left. Mr. Hopf told me he would have the new pump, containing these valves, finished within the next few days...I was wondering whether or not the small clearances in the new valves will cause them to jam more easily due to small fragments of tissue.' On October 23, 1939 Lindbergh congratulates Zwick on a successful demonstration of the apparatus and is regretful he could not see it in person. He writes 'As you know, there are a number of complications to my going to the Fairgrounds aside from finding the necessary time. My wife went in for a visit last summer and encountered a very disagreeable experience with a press photographer in the Art Building which caused her to return without going further. Dr. Carrel told me of the exhibit...and, from his description, you must be doing a good job in demonstrating.' Also included are two ALS written by Alexis Carrel to Zwick, written in July and August of 1936. One reads, in part, 'The demonstration of the Lindbergh apparatus ended this afternoon, after three days. During all this period the apparatus balanced in a normal manner. The circulation through the thyroid gland was perfect. There was no infection. Colonel Lindbergh came to Copenhagen on August 3rd, and opened the boxes. He mounted the apparatus, which was quite complete...We are very much indebted to you for your care in the preparation and shipping of the apparatus.' Also included is a vintage candid snapshot of a medical staff, presumably the staff that assisted in the pump, 4.75 x 3.25, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, 'To John Zwick, Jan, 17, 1932, A. Carrel.' In very good condition, with expected folds and light toning to letters. RRAuction COA.
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