Lot 400

Nobel Winner Adolf Butenandt, 30+pp Speech Manuscript Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Max Planck Society

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Nobel Winner Adolf Butenandt, 30+pp Speech Manuscript Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Max Planck Society

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Starting Bid: $260

(0 Bids)

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

Description:

Adolf Butenandt
Berlin and Munich, West Germany, ca. June-July 1961
Nobel Winner Adolf Butenandt, 30+pp Speech Manuscript Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Max Planck Society
Archive

A German-language archive, its centerpiece being a 30+pp speech manuscript by Nobel Prize-winning German biochemist Adolf Butenandt (1903-1995), then in his role as President of the Max Planck Society. Ca. June-July 1961. Berlin and Munich, West Germany. The lot consists of a 1p typed letter signed by Dr. Marsch, being an original transmittal cover sheet addressed to autograph collector Karl Geyer, dated July 18, 1961, [Munich, West Germany]; the approximately 33 pages of Butenandt's heavily edited manuscript, ca. June 1961, [Berlin, West Germany]; and its original transmittal manila envelope. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, extra wrinkles, isolated closed tears, chipped edges, staple holes, and paper hole punches. A few pages around p. 15 have been affixed with bottom portions, folded upward, to make an extra legal paper size; these exhibit discoloration from the glue. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall very good. The largest sheets in the archive measure approximately 9" x 12".

This historically significant speech manuscript was prepared and delivered by Adolf Butenandt during June 1961 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kaiser Wilhelm Society and the Max Planck Society. The manuscript consists primarily of typed pages, accompanied by extensive autograph handwritten revisions and annotations throughout. Numbered pages 1, 11, and 19 are fully handwritten by Butenandt. Copious edits in Butenandt's hand include cross-outs, rewrites, redactions, the correction of typographical and spelling errors, and margin notes, in red colored pencil and blue and green ink.

Though untranslated, this substantial and scholarly working manuscript discusses the transition from the Kaiser Wilhelm Society to the Max Planck Society in postwar Germany, touching upon the reconstruction and continuation of German scientific institutions after World War II. The extensive manuscript corrections and handwritten amendments provide exceptional insight into Butenandt's drafting and editorial process.

Adolf Butenandt was one of the leading German biochemists of the 20th C. and the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering work on sex hormones, including the isolation of estrone, progesterone, and androsterone. He later served as president of the Max Planck Society from 1960-1972 and played a major role in rebuilding German scientific research institutions after the war.

The Kaiser Wilhelm Society, headquartered in Berlin, had been established as an independent institute for scientific research in 1911. Its research areas were manifold and included biology, physics, chemistry, psychiatry, law, industry, neuroscience, plant and animal breeding, and even heredity, the precursor of genetics. The KSW was renamed the Max Planck Society in 1948.

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: largest: 9" x 12"
  • Medium: Archive

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