Lot 399

Henri Becquerel ALS With Publishing Content

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Henri Becquerel ALS With Publishing Content

Estimate: $500 - $600

Current Bid: $160

(2 Bids)

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

Description:

Henri Becquerel
n.p., May 28, 1891
Henri Becquerel ALS With Publishing Content
ALS

A 1p autograph letter in French signed by future Nobel Prize-winning physicist Antoine Henri Becquerel (1852-1908) as "Henri Becquerel" at the bottom. May 28, 1891. N.p. Inscribed on laid watermarked paper, probably once bifold but now neatly sheared along the left edge. The wide mourning border was a mark of respect for Henri's father, Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel, himself a physicist, who had died two weeks previously, on May 11, 1891, at age 71. Docketed in blue and red colored pencil near the top. With three tiny hole punches along the left edge. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. Else near fine. 4.375" x 7".

Henri Becquerel wrote this letter to a publisher or editor, regarding an unknown project.

Translated in full, with punctuation silently added to improve clarity:

"28 May 91

Dear Monsieur,

I am resending you the proofs which you so obligingly conveyed to me. I've made one or two observations, but the article is well-done.

I would like only to have the documents that I have loaned to you returned immediately, before tomorrow, if it's possible.

Thanks in advance and best to you,

Henri Becquerel"

Henri Becquerel came from a family of well-respected French physicists, including his father, Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel, who discovered the world's first photovoltaic cell. After holding a few government positions, Henri Becquerel transitioned into research and academia. His early studies focused on light absorption and deflection, phosphorescence, magnetism, and gases. In 1896, Becquerel discovered natural or spontaneous radioactivity by conducting experiments with uranium salts. Becquerel rays were later named after him; they later became known as radioactivity (a term coined by Marie Curie.) In 1903, Becquerel was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics along with Marie and Pierre Curie.

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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  • Dimensions: 4.375" x 7"
  • Medium: ALS

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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