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World War II-dated TLS signed “R. H. Goddard,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Mescalero Ranch (Roswell, New Mexico) letterhead, July 4, 1941. Letter of recommendation sent to Goddard’s old Clark University associate, Dr. Louis Thompson, in full: “This letter will introduce Mr. Nils T. Ljungquist, the machinist about whom I told you when we met in Washington on June 8, 1941. 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. Besides this, he is reliable and a pleasant man to work with.” In fine condition. Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope, typed “Mr. Ljungquist” and presumably signed by the subject of the letter, “Nils T. Ljungquist Sr.” and a wonderful vintage glossy 9.5 x 7.5 group photo of nine rocket scientists and machinists posing together outdoors, with Goddard pictured front and center, and Ljungquist seated to his right.
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 one-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 had been conducting rocket trials at Roswell since 1930, and it was there where he developed a series of varied and complex rocket prototypes that 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.
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