Lot 416

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi ALS Reflecting on His Major Contributions to Science

Previous image preload Next image preload

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi ALS Reflecting on His Major Contributions to Science

Estimate: $300 - $400

Current Bid: $100

(1 Bid)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Woods Hole, MA, August 30, 1978
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi ALS Reflecting on His Major Contributions to Science
ALS

Albert Szent-Gyorgi autograph letter signed. 1p., 7.25" x 10.5"; Woods Hole, Massachusetts; August 30, 1978. Exceptional content letter to a fellow doctor reflecting back on his career and stating that he believes his "most interesting contribution to medicine after 80" was shedding light on "the nature of life and the living state." Signed, "Albert Szent Gyorgyi." With flattened folds and bright paper.

In full:

"I think to have made my most interesting contribution to medicine after 80, sheding [sic] some light on the nature of life and the living state – what gave me most fame was muscle, building muscle out of proteins and making it move. The discovery of actin… and its reaction with ATP were very amusing! The discovery of ascorbic acid gave more nuisance than pleasure. The dicarboxylic acid catalysis which underlies the Krebs cycle was also an amusing piece of work and so was one of my first studies in which I showed that both O2 and H have to be activated for oxidation."

Writing in his later years, Szent-Gyorgyi surveys his major discoveries with both pride and candid honesty about their reception. His mention of muscle research refers to his groundbreaking work on muscle contraction, particularly his discovery of actin and its interaction with ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which revolutionized our understanding of how muscles generate movement at the molecular level. His comment about ascorbic acid (vitamin C) giving "more nuisance than pleasure" reflects the controversy and scientific disputes that followed his Nobel Prize-winning identification of this crucial vitamin. The reference to dicarboxylic acid catalysis relates to his foundational work on cellular respiration that contributed to what became known as the Krebs cycle, essential for understanding how cells generate energy. A fantastic synopsis of a career that spanned some of the most important biochemical discoveries of the 20th century.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 10.5" x 7.25"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000