Missionary doctor, theologian, philosopher, organist, Bach expert, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (1875–1965). An interesting archive from the personal collection of Dr. Byron W. Bernard, chief veterinarian at the Cincinnati Zoo. In 1957, on behalf of the Cincinnati Zoological Society, Bernard went on an expedition to French Equitorial Africa to deliver 12 goats to Dr. Albert Schweitzer, who wanted the animals to provide milk for African villages. The archive includes: a one-page ALS from Schweitzer, in French, May 15, 1957, to Bernard at the Walnut Hills Animal Hospital, accompanied by the original envelope; an ALS, in German, written at the conclusion of a letter to Bernard by a nurse who served as Schweitzer’s secretary, Miss Ali Silver, stating “Dr. Schweitzer tells them, how one of his dearest gorillas went with you to the Zoo in Cincinnati and how it was often invited to stay at your home…We often wonder how Penelope is.”; a one-page ALS, in French, to Bernard at the animal hospital, July 25, 1957; a partial three-page ALS, in French to Bernard, concerning the American Milk Goat Record Association; three cardstock photos of Schweitzer in Africa, signed and inscribed in French to Byron Bernard and dated 1957; and an 8.5 x 12 bookweight photo of an illustration of Schweitzer’s Forest Hospital at Lambarene, signed and inscribed in French and dated June 1, 1957. Also included is an unsigned and undated TLS from Schweitzer to Bernard, presumably sent after his successful trip. The letter reads, in part: “I wanted to write to you for a long time to thank you again for all the trouble you have taken to bring me over those beautiful and good goats and also to tell you how very sorry I am that I had so much work to do at that time.... The goats get along fine, they seem to possess a quality for travel abroad. I do hope that you came home safely and that Penelope behaves well.” Other items in the archive include several letters from Schweitzer’s secretary regarding Bernard’s upcoming trip to Africa, providing guidance for his travels once he arrives; a New Orleans Port Record magazine from May 1957, documenting the trip; several travel documents pertaining to Bernard; a January/February 1958 magazine including an article and photos of Bernard’s trip to deliver the goats, as well as him returning one of Schweitzer’s gorillas, Penelope, who was a mainstay at the Cincinnati Zoo for years; and several photos from the trip, mostly of the truck used to transport the goats to Schweitzer’s hospital. The entire archive is contained in Bernard’s brown leather briefcase which he took on the trip to Schweitzer’s hospital. In very good overall condition. R&R COA.
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