Sought-after signed book: Refractory Materials: Their Manufacture and Uses by A. B. Searle. Second edition (revised throughout and enlarged). London: Charles Griffin & Company, Limited, 1924. Hardcover, 6.5 x 9, 730 pages. Signed and inscribed on the half-title page in black ink, "To B. E. Broadwell, with compliments from, Nikola Tesla, New York, May 18, 1931." The volume is filled with graphs, diagrams, and maps. Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: VG/None, with edgewear and rubbing to boards. Two months later, in honor of his 75th birthday, Tesla was featured on the July 20th cover of Time Magazine for his contributions to electrical power generation.
The 1930s were a difficult time for Tesla—he was essentially destitute, bouncing from one hotel room to another. The consignor states that he was told this book came from Tesla's personal library and was gifted to B. E. Broadwell, formerly connected with the Aluminum Company of America, Niagara Falls, N.Y., where he had been engaged as general superintendent. Bartley E. Broadwell filed for US Patent on his Electrode in 1930, granted on October 4, 1932. Tesla had famously consulted on the hydroelectric power plant built at Niagara Falls at the turn of the century.
We are aware of only two other Tesla-signed books to appear on the market in recent years; as a scientific volume inscribed to a fellow inventor, this is an extraordinarily rare and desirable example.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
