American chemist and inventor (1853-1927) best known for several innovations related to explosives, including smokeless gunpowder. Two TLSs, both one page, 8.5 x 11, dated May 3, 1911, and April 24, 1917. The earlier letter, which Maxim has annotated along the bottom, "Personal," is addressed to Eugene V. Brewster, in part: "Sometime ago Mr. J. F. Tucker, the President of Twilight Club, asked me to send him a list of the names of persons who might possibly like to receive notices of the discussions of the Twilight Club…Now I learn that he as written a personal letter to each, enclosing an announcement of dinner…at a cost of Two Dollars, stating that it is I who make the request. I think there is a little mistake somewhere: for when I ask my friends to attend a dinner, I am not in the habit of asking them to pay." The second letter is written on his personal letterhead and addressed to J. Noble Hayes, in part: "I do not know exactly what astronomical article you refer to, but I will give you the titles of some that I have written. I wrote an article entitled, 'Between the Infinities,' for the Times Magazine, which appeared in the issue of February 1907…I wrote an article for the Youth's Companion on A Return Trip through the Geologic Periods, which they published under the title, 'The Romance of Geology,' in the issue of May 13, 1915. The Electrical Age of January 1902 contained an article of mine entitled, 'Celestial Explosions,' which may have been the one to which you refer." In overall very good condition, with creasing, toning, and splitting along folds. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope for the later letter, as well as a book photo of Maxim bearing a preprinted signature.
