Description:

Charles Lindbergh TLS Discussing His "organ-perfusion apparatus"

1p typed, measuring 7.5" x 9", Germany, dated November 13, 1966. Boldly signed "Charles A. Lindbergh" addressed to John C. Widener of the Smithsonian Institute. The letter concerns his invention of an "organ-perfusion apparatus", which he developed in part due to his wife's older sister being diagnosed with severe heart disease. Lindbergh looked into the science surrounding such heart problems and ended up collaborating with Novel Prize-winning French scientist Alexis Carrell. The perfusion pump was a hand-blown Pyrex glass three-chambered device that could keep organs functioning outside of the body. The invention, nicknamed the "Model T" pump, has since been credited with making the future of heart surgery possible. Only about 20 pumps were ever made, and three currently reside in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The letter is accompanied by its original envelope and is double matted and framed to the overall size of 13.25" x 16.25". With flattened mail folds and light edge soiling. Boldly signed. Very fine - great for display!

The letter reads, in part:

"This is a late letter to thank you for your assistance and cooperation in relation to the plastic materials I needed to develop the organ-perfusion apparatus. I am sure your advice and demonstration saved me days of time, with the result that the apparatus took form much more quickly than I had expected it to. The plastic bag we made at your department in the Smithsonian Institution let me establish basic principles of operation, with the result that I could build an apparatus suitable for crude organ-perfusion experiments, instead of just a working model, within two days. I was fortunate in finding bags of more durable and inert plastic material (used in connection with blood transfusion_ available at the Naval National Medical Center…We are publishing a description in 'Cryobiology.' I will send you a reprint."

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.

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