Description:

Charles Steinmetz PSA Certified DS From 1907, Same Year "Lightning Phenomena in Electric Circuits" Was Published

A check signed by Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923), the brilliant Prussian-American electrical engineer, as "Charles P. Steinmetz" on the signature line, and additionally engrossed by him. March 17, 1907. [Schenectady, New York.] Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified authentic. The partly printed check, number 1109, was drawn from The Schenectady Trust Company and issued to Robson & Adee in the amount of $3.75. Stamp-endorsed verso. With the usual perforations, dockets, and other clerical marks. Isolated foxing, else near fine. The check measures 6.875" x 2.625" while the slab measures 9.5" x 4.5."

Robson & Adee was a book publisher based in Steinmetz's adopted home town of Schenectady, New York; it specialized in paperback editions of scenic souvenir post cards. Steinmetz served as a Professor of Electrical Engineering at Union College in Schenectady from 1902 until 1913.

It was also in Schenectady that Steinmetz earned one of his more memorable monikers, "Forger of Thunderbolts," because he delighted in studying lightning and other natural electrical phenomena. The scientist erected a lightning tower so he could better conduct experiments, and also fabricated artificial lightning in his massive General Electric laboratory. In early 1907, around the same time that he signed this check, Steinmetz had published an article entitled "Lightning Phenomena in Electric Circuits" in the "Proceedings of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers," Vol. 26, issues #1, #3. Steinmetz's article proved that electrical disturbances occurred within electric lines even without lightning strike, thus significantly changing accepted theory. As he writes in the article abstract, the definition of lightning should be expanded to also include "the effects of atmospheric electricity."

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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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
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$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