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Militaria and Political Auction
Lot 1346:
Konrad Dannenberg 9-Pc Archive
A fascinating archive related to Konrad Dannenberg (1912-2009), the German-American rocket scientist. The lot includes a signed booklet, four signed or inscribed photographs and photocopies, two printed letters signed, a transmittal envelope, and a photocopy. The autographed material dates mostly from the late 1990s.
The lot is comprised of:
1. A printed booklet from the 41st Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, held in October 1990 in Dresden, East Germany, containing Konrad Dannenberg’s speech/article, "From Vahrenwald via the Moon to Dresden." The 9pp booklet is signed, dated, and inscribed by Dannenberg on the front cover as: "To / Karl Heck: / with my best wishes! / Ad Astra! / Konrad K Dannenberg / 8/5/98.
Dannenberg’s essay covers the span of his scientific career, from early rocket tests in the 1930s, through his involvement with NASA in the 1970s. A beautiful, clean copy, near fine. 8.5" x 11."
A 2pp printed letter signed by Dannenberg as "Konrad Dannenberg" at its conclusion, and also inscribed by him as "Anlage: 1 Enclosure." Undated. In this detailed response to an autograph collector’s list of questions, Dannenberg stated in part: "Werner von Braun was the best boss I can think of. He gave you an assignment and left you alone and did not tell you how to do it, but expected results after you were done. He was a great leader…" Near fine. 8.5" x 11. A 1p printed letter signed by Dannenberg as "Konrad Dannenberg" at center. Undated. Expected transmittal folds, else near fine. 8.5" x 11." Accompanied by an original transmittal envelope postmarked on July 30, 1998.
A color portrait photograph of Dannenberg printed on glossy Kodak photo paper, signed and inscribed by him as: "To / Karl Heck / Konrad K Dannenberg" at the lower right. An isolated area of surface loss along the left edge, else near fine. 8" × 10." A color photograph of Dannenberg visiting Cape Canaveral Air Force Museum in April 1997, printed on glossy Agfa photo paper, signed and inscribed by him as: "To / Karl Heck / with best wishes! / Konrad K Dannenberg" at lower left. Near fine. 8.375" × 5.75." With a printed label affixed verso. Comes with a photocopy of the same image.
6. A photocopy of a photograph showing Operation Paperclip German scientists.
Dannenberg has inscribed it as "Fort Bliss, Texas / 1946," and identified himself, his boss Werner Von Braun, and Eberhard Rees, in the group portrait. Dannenberg has inscribed his name as "Konrad Dannenberg" at the upper right. 8.5" × 11."
7. A photocopy of a photograph of Dannenberg, signed by him as: "Konrad K Dannenberg" along a vertical orientation at left. 4" x 5."
Konrad Dannenberg had exhibited a passionate interest in rocketry dating back to his childhood. As a young man, Dannenberg was involved in the launch of a V-2 rocket at Peenemünde, Germany on October 3, 1942; the rocket was the first human-made object to reach the lower limits of outer space. Dannenberg was recruited as one of the 100+ German scientists brought to Fort Bliss, Texas as part of the post-World War I talent-harvesting Operation Paperclip. Dannenberg worked on short-term ballistic and long-range nuclear armed missiles (the Redstone and Jupiter programs, respectively), before joining NASA in 1960. While at NASA, Dannenberg worked on the Saturn V rocket.
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