BOSTON, MA.- RR Auction, a leading auction house specializing in rare and collectible items, is announcing its December Fine Autographs and Artifacts sale, featuring an impressive array of over 500 rare and remarkable lots. The auction includes dedicated sections highlighting the historical significance of World War II and the advancements in Science & Technology.
Among the standout items is a fully operational Enigma I electromechanical cipher machine, crafted in 1943 for the German military. This Fantastic World War II-era artifact, often referred to as the Heeres, Wehrmacht, or Luftwaffe Enigma, stands as a testament to technological and wartime history. Housed in its original stained oak case with spare cables, light bulbs, and instructions, this unique piece sheds light on Enigma machines' pivotal role in World War II and the subsequent advancements in code-breaking technology at Bletchley Park.
The auction also features a rare and extraordinary Tesla signed greeting card, capturing the personal sentiments of the renowned inventor Nikola Tesla. This unique artifact represents not only an exquisite piece of historical ephemera but also a scarce signed format with a thoughtful inscription, making it the only known example signed by Tesla to have surfaced in auction records.
A one-of-a-kind Robert Oppenheimer signed photograph, taken in 1947 by Alfred Eisenstaedt for Life Magazine, captures a momentous meeting of two 20th-century physics giants—Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein. This exceedingly rare image, part of a series by Eisenstaedt, provides a visual testament to their complex affiliation and is uniquely accompanied by insights into their personal interactions, adding a contemporary layer to this exceptional piece of scientific and cultural history.
Adding to the auction's technological allure is a sealed original iPhone, representing a pristine example of the revolutionary device that changed the course of mobile technology. This unopened, first-generation Apple iPhone embodies the innovation and secrecy surrounding its development, standing as a testament to its transformative impact on cellphone design and the modern era of smartphones.
An incredible NASA-Grumman print signed by all twelve moonwalkers serves as a unique testament to the historic Apollo missions, bearing over 300 signatures, including those of aerospace leaders, political figures, and engineers from NASA and Grumman.
Other highlights in the auction include a rare Mao Zedong signed banquet menu, a significant English letter by Napoleon Bonaparte, and documents signed by historical figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Boone, and James Dean.
The Fine Autograph and Artifacts auction by RR Auction began on November 17 and will conclude on December 6.
