Circa 1925, Hotel Robert Fulton Handicap trophy for shooting. The loving cup was made by Sterling Silver Manufacturing Company Hallmarked "SSMC, STERLING, 0341". Trophy measures 10-1/2" tall x 12" across handles. Wood base adds approx. 4" to the height. Weight 26.19 ozt. This item can be shipped in-house.
Alexander Robertson (American, 1774-1841), View of Albany from North with Robert Fulton's Steamboat North River later Clermont, 1807, oil on canvas, canvas (unframed): 25.5"h x 41"w. Provenance: Purchased at Butterfields (1992).
NO RESERVE Birds.- Fulton (Robert) The Illustrated Book of Pigeons with Standards for Judging, 50 chromolithographs, tissue-guards, illustrations, occasional spotting, bookplate, original decorative cloth, gilt, a little rubbed, bumping to corners and spine extremities, 4to, Cassell, [c.1880].
NO RESERVE Birds.- Fulton (Robert) The Illustrated Book of Pigeons with Standards for Judging, chromolithograph frontispiece and 49 plates, tissue-guards, woodcut illustrations, occasional spotting, ex-library with ink-stamp to title verso, bookplates, abrasion marks to endpapers where labels removed, front free endpaper to p.17 detached, cracked hinges, contemporary half-morocco, gilt, shelfmark to spine foot, rubbed, Cassell, [c. 1876].
Autographs Robert Fulton's Original Artist's Sketch, Steamboat Inventor ROBERT FULTON (1765-1815). American Engineer, Artist, Inventor and Perfector of the Steamboat. Hand-Drawn Original Artist Sketch Signed with his Initials, "R.F." (Robert Fulton), Dated 1807 in pencil, Choice Extremely Fine. This Hand-dated 1807 Sketch measures 5.25" x 3.75" being an unusual image of a dog-man in a coat. Although Robert Fulton is best remembered as an Inventor, he spent the first thirty years of his life pursuing a career in art, including painting miniatures. At age 30, he decided to discontinue his art career, but his ability to translate ideas into sketches continued to serve him well in his future. Exceedingly Rare. Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 - February 24, 1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat. In 1800, he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, which was the first practical submarine in history. He is also credited with inventing some of the world's earliest naval torpedoes for use by the British Navy
ROBERT FULTON (1765-1815). American Engineer, Artist, Inventor and Perfector of the Steamboat. Hand-Drawn Original Artist Sketch Signed with Initials “R.F.” (Robert Fulton), Dated 1807 Choice Extremely Fine: Sketch Signed, “R.F.” (Robert Fulton), measuring 5.25” x 3.75,” dated 1807, in pencil. An image of a dog/man in a coat. Although Robert Fulton is best remembered as an Inventor, he spent the first thirty years of his life pursuing a career in art, including painting miniatures. At age 30, he decided to discontinue his art career, but his ability to translate ideas into sketches continued to serve him well in his future. Exceedingly Rare.
Quicksilver An Intimate Portrayal of Robert Fulton Author: Florence Laswrence Dated: 1937 Publisher: Daniel Ryerson Edition: 1st Size: 8vo Binding Hardcover Dust Jacket Subject: Robert Fulton Hudson River Notes & Literature Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 February 25, 1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing a commercially successful steamboat; the first was called The North River Steamboat (later Clermont). Condition Report Dust wrapper fair. Book is very good plus. Subject References: New York State Rivers
ALS dated May 2, 1810 signed Robt Fulton. Concerning the shipment of a dynamometre sent to the letter's recipient. Bold signature. Framed with a portrait engraving of Fulton. Dimensions: (Frame) H 14.25" x W 18.25" (Letter) H 9.5" x W 7.5" Condition: Letter with flattened folds, age toned, mounted at corners. Mat age toned, frame with rubbing.
c. 1910, ink and inkwash rendering for a proposed monument in memory of Robert Fulton (1765-1815) to be erected in Riverside Park and serve as a Water Gate entrance to New York, this design was submitted by Peck, Stewart, & Oliver, in competition amongst approx. 60 of New York City's elite architects of the time, 48.5"h x 93.5"w (sight), 53.75"h x 98.5"w (frame)
19th century oil painting on canvas of a young man wearing a pea coat, purportedly a portrait of Robert Fulton, steamboat inventor. 24 x 18 inches, framed 28 x 22. Relined.
Robert Fulton Logan (American 1901 - 1973) signed etching. Signed in pencil "Robert Fulton Logan" lower right. Measures 13" x 19" image size and 17.5" x 23.5" sheet size. Excellent. Unframed, loose and not mounted or glued down. Provenance: Amity Art Foundation, Inc. collection. We ship most items in this auction in house and gladly combine shipping if possible of multiple items.
Autographs Steamboat Inventor Robert Fulton's Artist Sketch Initialed ROBERT FULTON (1765-1815). American Engineer, Artist, Inventor and Perfector of the Steamboat. Hand-Drawn Original Artist Sketch Signed with Initials "R.F." (Robert Fulton), Dated 1807 Choice Extremely Fine: Sketch Signed, "R.F." (Robert Fulton), measuring 5.25" x 3.75," dated 1807, in pencil. An image of a dog/man in a coat. Although Robert Fulton is best remembered as an Inventor, he spent the first thirty years of his life pursuing a career in art, including painting miniatures. At age 30, he decided to discontinue his art career, but his ability to translate ideas into sketches continued to serve him well in his future. Exceedingly Rare. Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 - February 24, 1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat. In 1800, he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, which was the first practical submarine in history. He is also credited with inventing some of the world's earliest naval torpedoes for use by the British Navy
Autographs Steamboat Inventor Robert Fulton's Artist Sketch Initialed ROBERT FULTON (1765-1815). American Engineer, Artist, Inventor and Perfector of the Steamboat. Hand-Drawn Original Artist Sketch Signed with Initials "R.F." (Robert Fulton), Dated 1813, Choice Extremely Fine: Sketch Signed, "R.F." (Robert Fulton), measuring 4" x 3.5," dated 1813, in ink. An image of two men (or two images of the same man), looking a lot like Rembrandt, with some math notations on the upper right. Although Robert Fulton is best remembered as an Inventor, he spent the first thirty years of his life pursuing a career in art, including painting miniatures. At age 30, he decided to discontinue his art career, but his ability to translate ideas into sketches continued to serve him well in his future. Exceedingly Rare. Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 - February 24, 1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat. In 1800, he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, which was the first practical submarine in history. He is also credited with inventing some of the world's earliest naval torpedoes for use by the British Navy
Autographs Two Robert Fulton Original Dated & Initialed Sketches ROBERT FULTON, (1765-1815) Artist and Perfector of the Steamboat. Two small Sketches, both Signed "R.F." (for Robert Fulton), one dated 1807 and the other 1813, both Extremely Fine: 1. 5.25" x 3.75," dated 1807, in pencil. A weird image of a dog(?)-man in a gauzy coat. 2. 4" x 3.5," dated 1813, in ink. An image of two men (or two images of the same man), looking a lot like Rembrandt. Some math scribbling on upper right. Although Fulton is best remembered as an inventor, he spent the first thirty years of his life pursuing a career in art, including painting miniatures. At age 30, he decided to discontinue his art career, but his ability to translate ideas into sketches continued to serve him well in his future. Exceedingly Rare. Robert Fulton (November 14, 1765 - February 24, 1815) was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat. In 1800, he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the Nautilus, which was the first practical submarine in history. He is also credited with inventing some of the world's earliest naval torpedoes for use by the British Navy
Fulton Writes his Mother Just Five Days after Informing a French Minister that his Nautilus Submarine Was Nearly Finished********Steamboat innovator Robert Fulton writes to his mother from France where he was working on his Nautilus submarine** FULTON, ROBERT. (1765-1815). American naval engineer who built the first viable steamboat, successful submarine and torpedoes. ALS. (“Robt Fulton”). 2pp. Small 4to. (Recto and verso of a single folded sheet). Paris, April 15, 1800. To his mother, Mary Smith. ********** “On the 3d of July 99 I wrote you by Mr Griffiths and sent with him 36 Guineas for you. Mr Griffiths sailed from France for Phila where I desired him to put the mony [sic] into the hands of a Member of Congress or Member of assembly from your part of the country who could forward it to Mr Hogg for you. If you have not heard of the mony [sic] I advise you to write to Mr Ross [U.S. Senator James Ross] who I believe is the member for Washington and desire him to inquire in Phila for Mr Griffiths who is a native of Baltimore and resided some years in France desiring Mr Ross to Recieve [sic] the mony [sic] for you. I am in excellent health still detained in this Country on business which is Very Important to me – but time and distance has not robed [sic] me of one sentiment of affection for you and all my Relations, please to remember me particularly to each of them, And with compliments to friends believe me your affectionate Son Robt. Fulton. Although I am in Paris you can direct your letters for me to the Fultons in London as usual.” ********** On December 13, 1797, Robert Fulton wrote to the French Directory, the executive government of the French Republic, with proposals relating to the Nautilus, a submarine of his own design that he believed could be used against the British, at war with France since 1793: “…Whereas fire Ships or other unusual means of destroying Navies are Considered Contrary to the Laws of war. And persons taken in Such enterprise are Liable to Suffer death, it will be an object of Safety if the Directory give the Nautilus Company Commissions Specifying that all persons taken in the Nautilus or Submarine expedition Shall be treated as Prisoners of War, And in Case of Violence being offered; the Government, will Retaliate on the British Prisoners in a four fold degree.” The Minister of Marine, Georges-René Pléville Le Pelley, refused Fulton’s request for commissions in the French Navy for men willing to serve aboard a submarine, because he did not think that it was “possible to grant commissions to men who made use of such means to destroy the enemy’s forces and, even so, that such commissions could be any guarantee to them. For the reprisals with which the French Government could threaten the English Cabinet would be useless, since there existed in England three times more French prisoners than English prisoners in France.” ********** Fulton was determined to have his submarine built, but the project required funding. Another letter went unanswered and on January 20, 1798, he submitted his “Third proposals relative to the mechanical Nautilus,” with minor additions as to terms of payment, holding to his demand for commissions for the crew of the Nautilus, and proposing to have it built in Paris and test it at Le Havre. On April 27, 1798, Eustache Bruix replaced Pléville Le Pelley as Minister of Marine so Fulton resubmitted his proposal to Bruix and renewed his offer to conduct the experiments at his own expense. In his cover letter, Fulton suggests to Bruix, in part, “Let us see first what would be for France the immediate effects of the Nautilus. The loss of the first English ship destroyed by extraordinary means would throw the English Government into utter embarrassment. It would realize that its whole navy could be destroyed by the same means, and by the same means it would be possible to blockade the Thames and to cut off the whole commerce of London ... How would Pitt then be able to support the allied powers? The result would be that deprived of Pitt’s guineas, the coalition would vanish and France thus delivered from its numerous enemies would be able to work without obstacle for the strengthening of its liberty and for peace... The destruction of the English Navy will ensure the independence of the seas and France, the Nation which has the most natural resources and population, will alone and without a rival hold the balance of power in Europe.” Four months later, he received a reply: no deal. ********** Displeased with his treatment by the Directory, he approached the Batavian Republic (Holland) in 1799 through their Ambassador in Paris, offering the Nautilus. Fulton went to Holland, but his offer was not accepted, but he did gain financial support for his project. ********** Back in Paris, Fulton hired Jacques Périer, an engineer and skilled mechanic, to construct the Nautilus in his boatyard in Rouen. On October 5, 1799, Fulton wrote to yet a new Minister of Marine, Marc Antoine Bourdon de Vatry, enclosing his proposal. Within a week, Bourdon de Vatry asks for a complete report, and Fulton complies with amended conditions, but still insists on the commissions for the crew of the Nautilus. ********** On November 9-10, 1799, Napoléon overthrew the French Directory and one month later he became First Consul. Fulton always had confidence in Napoléon who had personally seen the full force of the British Navy in 1798 when its fleet, under Admiral Horatio Nelson, captured or destroyed all but two vessels in the Battle of the Nile. ********** On April 10, 1800, five days before he wrote this letter to his mother about the “business which is Very Important to me,” he wrote to the new Minister of the Marine, Forfait, that the Nautilus was nearly completed, requested the commissions and added, “I have every reason to hope from Bonaparte the welcome, the encouragement that I have so long been refused by Directors and Ministers.” On April 15, 1800, the very day Fulton wrote the above letter to his mother, Forfait observed “It cannot be disguised that the Nautilus is a machine not yet in use and that it infringes in several points the laws of war. It would be dangerous, especially at this moment when so great a number of Frenchmen are in the power of the English, to express any kind of menace in the Commission. In granting it pure and simple, that is to say, in acknowledging as combatants the men serving on the Nautilus and the Nautilus vessel itself, I think that that ought not to create more fear than the menace of reprisals can give security for.” ********** On June 13, 1800, Fulton demonstrated the Nautilus on the Seine in Paris, with Forfait in attendance. Fulton and his assistant, Nathaniel Sargent, entered the submarine, moved out towards the center of the river and, to the astonishment of everyone, slowly sank beneath the water. After 20 minutes, it surfaced, then dove under for another 25 minutes, returning to its point of departure. Fulton and Sargent disembarked to thunderous applause. Forfait reported to Napoléon that “everything that could be desired was completely achieved” and there was hope that “in a month the Nautilus could be in the sea and ready to act.” It was eventually financed by the French government in 1801, but, a problem of propulsion underwater was never satisfactorily solved. Fulton abandoned his work on the submarine, turning his attention to the steamboat. ********** The integral leaf is addressed by Fulton to his mother, “Mrs. Mary Smith / To the care of Mr John Hogg / Washington Town Washington / County / Pensylvania [sic].” On watermarked laid paper. Dampstaining and seal stains at edges do not affect the clarity or strength of any of Fulton’s writing. In fine condition.
ROBERT FULTON (1765 - 1815) American engineer and inventor of the first practical submarine and torpedo, and established the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont. Copperplate mezzotint engraving, 7 1/4" x 10", [Germany, ca. 1820], marred a bit by soiling in white bottom margin and two small scuffs in black area at bottom of image, else very good.
Original bronze bust sculpture of Robert Fulton, American engineer, 1765-1815. Made in the JNO. Williams, Inc. foundry in New York. Signed, Boudon? 20" W x 13" D x 29" H. In excellent condition.
Robert Fulton American, 1765-1815 Portrait of The First Sir Grenville Temple Bart Signed R. Fulton (lr) and inscribed The First/Sir Grenville Temple Bart on the verso Watercolor on paper, oval 5 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches C
ROBERT FULTON (1765 - 1815) American engineer and inventor of the first practical submarine and torpedo, and established the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont. Copperplate mezzoting engraving, 7 1/4" x 10", [Germany, ca. 1820], marred a bit by soiling in white bottom margin and two small scuffs in black area at bottom of image, else very good.
SCIENTISTS A lot of three items by prominent scientists, the first ROBERT FULTON (1765 - 1815) American engineer and inventor of the first practical submarine and torpedo, and established the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont, three closing lines detached from an A.L.S. 1p. oblong 12mo., [n.p., n.d.]: "Your civilities to him or assistance in case of necessity while he continues in France will much oblige me your sincere friend Robt. Fulton". Light staining, very good. With SIMON LAKE (1866-1945) American naval architect who invented the first submarine to operate successfully in the open sea, partly-printed D.S. 1p. oblong 12mo., Milford, Conn., Apr. 9, 1932, a check drawn on the Milford Trust Company making a $16.00 payment to Industrial Submarine Corps. Punch cancels lightly affect signature and engrossment, very good; and CLARENCE BIRDSEYE (1886 - 1956) American businessman and inventor of the process to quick-freeze foods, founded General Foods, signature and inscription on a small card, dated "5-21-48" and writing, "To Ronald Soderberg, a budding scientist - I hope". Three items, very good condition.
(Fulton, Robert (1765-1815), Association Copy), The Federalist: A Collection of Essays Written in Favour of the New Constitution, New York: George F. Hopkins, 1802, in two volumes, inscribed "Robt. Fulton February 1811" to top right corner of each title page, contemporary tree calf, 8vo, (covered detached to Vol. I, hinges cracked to Vol. II, age wear and scuffing to calf, bookplates to front pastedowns, with scattered soiling, minor spotting and browning).
FULTON, ROBERT Autograph letter (retained copy) signed ("R. Fulton"), 2 pages (9 5/8 x 7 1/2 in.; 245 x 190 mm), Albany, New York, 23 March 1814, to President James Madison; silked on one side, one small fold-tear mended, two small spots of ink corrosion, slight traces of interlinear pencil transcription. Gray half-morocco clamshell box, gilt-stamped blue leather title label on spine.
ROBERT FULTON (1765 - 1815) American engineer and inventor of the first practical submarine and torpedo, and established the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont. Fine content A.L.S. "Robt Fulton" 1p. 4to., New York, Nov. 18, 1813, to Dr. William Wilson concerning a settlement involving the estate of his recently deceased patron, Robert R. Livingston. Fulton writes, in full: "The estate of the Chancellor [Livingston] is to be charged with the Iron credit having been given by me to him in Settling our accounts. You will please to show the annexed to Mr. Edward P. [Livingston]". Wilson penned on the overleaf: "Mr. Livingston will look to the enclosed letters and inform me if anything is necessary for me to do. W.W.". Robert R. Livingston, the first chancellor of New York State and negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase, was enthralled with the concept of invention. Claiming that to be his "hobby horse," he held several patents for a means of diminishing the friction of spindles on millstones and for manufacturing paper from river weed. However, Livingston was talented neither in the theory nor practice of mechanics, and his inventions generally did not work. Thus, he collaborated often with others who had the scientific experience to implement his visions. One such idea was steam navigation and one such collaborator was Robert Fulton, and the two became deeply immersed in steamboat experimentation. They determined, when they returned to America, to make another effort with a larger boat to sail on the Hudson River. Essentially, Livingston would supply the money and Fulton would do the work. Livingston secured the exclusive privilege of "navigating all boats that might be propelled by steam, on all waters within the territory or jurisdiction of the State, for the term of twenty years," so they started out with very valuable monopoly. Their agreement was formalized into a partnership, one that would last the remainder of Livingston's life. In July, 1807 the first successful steamboat ran from New York to Albany, meeting the requirements of the New York State grant and perfecting their monopoly. Robert Livingston died in February, 1813. Even though he and Fulton possessed a monopoly , they were continually building new steamboats and had accrued nearly $167,000 in partnership debts. With his partner's death, Fulton was faced with the challenge of negotiating Livingston's assets with his heirs, and relations with Livingston's family members were abrasive. A friend of the family, Dr. William Wilson was the executor of the Chancellor's estate. The Livingstons owned an iron foundry, and Fulton once stipulated that "iron work in the best manner" was to be used to build their steamboats. It is apparent that Livingston supplied iron from his foundry for the construction rather than buying it on the open market, and that Livingston was given credit for the iron's value from Fulton in order to assess their respective partnership distributions. After Livingston's death, an issue arose as to the final allocation of funds for the iron, and Fulton bargained for both the money and additional leverage with his heirs. Here Fulton supplies Wilson with the necessary papers to indicate that the iron credit was to be charged back to the estate. Light toning along expected folds, tiny loss at left margin clear of writing, else very good to fine condition.
Autograph: Robert Fulton American inventor, engineer, and entrepreneur (1765–1815) best known for designing the first commercially successful steamboat. His other endeavors included a commission from Napoleon that resulted in the first practical submarine, the Nautilus. ALS signed “Robt Fulton,” one page both sides, 7.5 x 9, April 15, 1800. Letter to his mother, Mrs. Mary Smith. In full: “On the 3d of July 99 I wrote you by Mr. Griffiths and sent him 36 Guineas for you. Mr. Griffiths sailed from France for Phila. where I desired him to put the mony [sic] into the hands of a Member of Congress or Member of assembly from your part of the country who could forward it to Mr. Hogg for you. If you have not heard of the mony [sic] I advise you to write to Mr. Ross [U. S. Senator James Ross] who I believe is a member for Washington and desire him to inquire in Phila. for Mr. Griffiths who is a native of Baltimore and resided some years in France desiring Mr. Ross to receive the mony [sic] for you. I am in excellent health still detained in this country on business which is very important to me—but time and distance has not robed [sic] me of one sentiment of affection for you and all my relations, please to remember me particularly to each of them.” A short postscript reads, “Although I am in Paris, you can direct your letters to the Fultons in London as usual.” In very good condition, with intersecting mailing folds, scattered light toning, some due to seal, and damp staining along an edge lightly affecting a few words of text. Five days before writing this letter, Fulton had contacted the French government to inform them that the Nautilus, the first practical submarine, was nearing completion and that he hoped those in authority—including Napoleon—would give him the proper financial “encouragement” needed to finish the job. Fulton was confident that the vessel could be used by the French in their ongoing war against the British. Although the French government eventually gave him the financing he needed, a problem with underwater propulsion was never satisfactorily solved and the project was abandoned. To fill the time, Fulton turned his attention to the steamboat. A one-of-a-kind letter with a superior, if not covert, reference to the Nautilus. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
Autograph Letter Signed (“Robt Fulton”), 1 p, 4to, New York, November 18, 1813, to Doctor Wilson, regarding settling his account with the estate of Robert Livingston, autograph address on verso and additionally docketed by Wilson, leaf creased, toning at creases and small loss at center right and left margins from seal. Robert Livingston, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Chancellor of New York, and U.S. Minister to France during the negotiation of the Louisiana Purchase, also fancied himself an inventor. Fascinated with steam navigation, Livingston collaborated with Robert Fulton to build an iron steamship to sail the Hudson. When Livingston died in 1813, the partnership was in debt, and Fulton was required to negotiate with Livingston’s heirs regarding the supply of iron to build ships. Fulton writes to the estate administrator: “The estate of the Chancellor is to be charged with the Iron credit having been given by me to him in settling our accounts you will please to show the annexed to Mr. Edward P.” See illustration.
Fulton, Robert The illustrated book of pigeons. London, [no date], 4to, 50 colour plates after J.W. Ludlow, contemporary half calf gilt, rubbed, some spotting, small tear to frontispiece
American ca 1800 unsigned 34" x 26" Identified on verso, written in period script on the stretcher, Robt. Fulton. Robert Fulton (1765-1815) was an engineer and inventor given credit for the first successful steam-powered steamboat.
JEFFERSON, Thomas. Autograph letter signed ("Th: Jefferson"), TO ROBERT FULTON (1765-1815), Monticello, 17 March 1810. 1 page, 4to, offset on 3¾ in. sq. portion of first page; remnants of mounting on verso, and a rectangular offset in upper portion. With original envelope and AUTOGRAPH FREE FRANK SIGNED ("FREE TH: JEFFERSON"). "I AM NOT AFRAID OF NEW INVENTIONS OR IMPROVEMENTS, NOR BIGOTED TO THE PRACTICES OF OUR FOREFATHERS" Two of the greatest Americans of the early 19th century are linked here as Jefferson praises Fulton's new design for a torpedo, and launches into a celebration of the American spirit of innovation. "I have duly received your favor of Feb. 24 covering one of your pamphlets on the Torpedo. I have read it with pleasure. This was not necessary to give them favor in my eyes. I am not afraid of new inventions or improvements, nor bigoted to the practices of our forefathers. It is that bigotry which keeps the Indians in a state of barbarism in the midst of the arts, would have kept us in the same state even now and still keeps Connecticut where their ancestors were when they landed on these shores." He is glad that Congress appears to be backing Fulton's new weapon. "Your torpedoes will be to cities what vaccination has been to mankind. It extinguishes their greatest danger. But there will still be navies. Not for the destruction of cities, but for the plunder of commerce on the high seas. That the tories should be against you is in character, because it will curtail the power of their idol, England." An inveterate inventor and tinkerer himself, Jefferson closes by discussing a new hydraulic mechanism. "I would not give you the trouble of having a model made, as I have workmen who can execute from the drawing." Jefferson enthusiastically championed Fulton's work both during and after his presidency, in spite of the skepticism of many senior naval officials. They worried that Fulton's torpedo would be of little use without a viable submersible ship to deliver the weapon (a concern Jefferson shared). Congress appropriated $5,000 to aid Fulton's R&D, and six months after this letter he staged a demonstration of his torpedo in New York harbor. The unimpressed admirals decided to cut off his funding, forcing the inventor to turn his attention to the steam boat.
1297. ROBERT FULTON (1765 - 1815) American engineer and inventor of the first practical submarine and torpedo, and established the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont. The concluding portion of a letter to him, in full: "I am Sir respectfully your most obedient Robt. Fulton". At left, the dateline from the letter is affixed, reading: "New York, May 3, 1814". Mounted, irregularly trimmed, else very good. $300 - 400
498. (ROBERT FULTON) The first successful voyage ofRobert Fulton's steamer, Clermont, as reported in the New-EnglandPalladium (Boston, Sept. 1, 1807) 4pp. folio. The report consists of areprint of Robert Fulton's letter to the American Citizen of New York,announcing his arrival "...this afternoon at 4 o'clock, in the steam boat,from Albany. As the success of my experiment gives me great hope that such boatsmay be rendered of much importance to my country, to prevent erroneous opinions,and give some satisfactions to the friends of useful improvements, you will havethe goodness to publish the following statement of facts..." . Fulton thendescribes the dates and times of his departures and arrivals addingthat"...Throughout the whole way my going & returning, the wind wasahead; no advantage could be drawn from my sails — the whole, has,therefore, been performed by the power of the steam engine...". Newspaperincludes other fine content including coverage of the Aaron Burr trial inRichmond as well as continuing letters and reports on the popular reactionagainst the British over the Chesapeake Affair. Light scattered foxing, lightchipping to margins, usual creases, otherwise very good. $400 -600
DRAWING OF A DETONATOR AND MUZZLE FOR AN UNDERWATER CANNON 20 1/2 by 28in. (52.1 by 71.1cm) pen and ink with watercolor on paper NOTE Painted circa 1806. Robert Fulton, the artist-inventor, was in Europe from 1800 to 1806 working on naval and submarine warfare designs for the French and English governments. He returned to the United States in the fall of 1806, where he continued to dabble in improvements in his naval designs even while working on the steamboat. His "torpedo" bombs were tested in New York Harbor and he published a pamphlet, "Torpedo War and Submarine Explosions," in 1810. With government support, he continued his experiments and with the outbreak of the War of 1812, he concentrated on his "submarine gun," a precursor of modern torpedo techniques. This drawing was probably executed shortly after his return to American in 1806, and shows details of flintlock detonators for submarine bombs and underwater guns. Solom Alofsen, a Dutch-born Jersey City engineer, was an associate of Fulton's in the inventor's last years. In 1855, he presented to The New Jersey Historical Society a colletion of Fulton's drawings and designs that he had inherited through his professional association with him.
346. ROBERT FULTON (1765-1815) American engineer and inventor of the first practical submarine and torpedo, and established the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont. A.L.S. "Robert Fulton", 1p. oblong 8vo., New York, Apr. 21, 1812 to Jonathan Russell. In part: "...By sending the enclosed with your first dispatches to Mr. Barlow you will much oblige you most obedient and very humble servant..." A few lightly toned spots in text, very slight show-through from address on verso, else very good with a nice bold signature. The "Barlow" referred to was likely Joel Barlow, Fulton's close friend and biographer and with whom he lived in Paris for seven years. Matted with a lantern slide of Fulton and brass plaque, set into a wood frame. $1,200-1,500
Robert (1765-1815), inventor. Autograph letter signed ("Robt Fulton") to Dr. [William] Thornton, head of the U.S. Patent Office in Washington; New York, 27 December 1807. 1 page, 4to (9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in.), integral address leaf with panel in Fulton's hand, recipient's docket later. In very fine condition. THE INVENTOR OF THE STEAMBOAT ENQUIRES ABOUT ELI WHITNEY'S COTTON GIN A fine letter, written the same year that Fulton's underwater torpedo was demonstrated in New York harbor (on 20 July) and his prototype steamboat, the Clermont, made her maiden voyage up the Hudson and back (on 17-22 August). "Mr. John R. Livingston of New York wishes to be informed of the particular Qualities of the machine which Gins and spins cotton at the same time; It has occurred to me that it might be particularly useful for coarse thread or candle wick, will you have the goodness to give your opinion, on its execution; where is the patentee, what his terms, where or how can he get one made and what the expence? I shall not see the Chancellor [Livingston] until I arrive at Clermont [Livingstone's home on the Hudson River]...." Thornton (1759-1828), an engineer himself, had successfully demonstrated a steam-powered craft on the Delaware River before the members of the Constitutional Convention, but Fulton's vessel, the Clermont, named after the Hudson River estate of his patron, John R. Livingston, became the first commercially viable steamboat. Thornton headed the U.S. Patent Office from 1807-1828, and was the winner in the architectural competition for the design of the U.S. Capitol. Whitney's revolutionary cotton gin, patented in 1794, proved difficult to manufacture and to market; a crucial patent infringement suit had been resolved in the Georgia courts in December 1807, and this may have been the event which prompted Fulton's letter on behalf of Livingston regarding the invention.
![Birds.- Fulton (Robert) The Illustrated Book of Pigeons with Standards for Judging, Cassell, [c. 1876].](https://stageimg.invaluable.com/housePhotos/Forum-Auctions/17/704317/H20198-L258808298.jpg)
