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THOMAS D. PITTS : 1903-1905 MASSIVE ARCHIVE OF 600+ HANDWRITTEN LETTERS, JOURNAL, CORRESPONDENCE, DOCUMENTS AND AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOTES OF FAMED SHIPWRIGHT, NAVAL ARCHITECT AND BUSINESS MAN

On offer is a massive archive of typed and handwritten manuscript papers relating to THOMAS D. PITTS, famed American Ship Wright and Naval Architect. From his personal files the archive boasts two sections: 1a) a detailed journal used as a diary during the important design and construction of the Cadet Ship YOUNG AMERICA, and 1b) over sixty [60] papers including correspondence, the Contract Agreement and much, much more from Mr. Pitts estate. Companies mentioned include the Perth Amboy Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., the Nautical Preparatory School, Rodermond Brothers and more. The second section is 2a) comprised of three typed and handwritten "Letter Books" dated 1903 [63 pp], 1904 [497 pp] and 1905 [383pp]. These 10" x 12" copy books are perfect carbon-type copies of the original letters whose number is over 500 each running between 1 and 3 pages. All of the letters are written by Thomas Pitts. The earliest book involves matters of a personal nature and provide a unique insight into Pitts private life; many of those have to do with placing his brother, Herman, in an insane asylum because of his drug addiction which we assume is opium. The second and third books business related and contain some fascinating historical information, as Thomas was quite the business man around the New York City area. Other work involves early automobiles; he opens his own office in New York as a general consulting engineer; helps place old and unused ships in the hands of private owners; works on the Ludlow Docks in Yonkers; the ship "Pennsylvania" which is the main ship he's working on for the Nautical Preparatory School in Rhode Island; raises some capitol for a Mexican street railway plant and much, much, more is revealed in this massive archive. One letter is somewhat of a resume. Here is a snippet: "Gentlemen: March 27th, 1905 Replying to your favor of the 22nd last, I beg to submit the following resume of my experience; I am not a technical school graduate having left college at the end of the freshman year on account of ill health. Between the ages of 18 and 20 was variously employed in mechanical work, some 6 months of that time being spent in the shops of the Westinghouse Electric Co. and then existing (1891) Westinghouse Electric & Mfg. Co. in Pittsburgh. During the years 1892, 1893 & July 1894 I was engaged as draftsman on Naval Architectural work in Boston Mass. Balance of 1894 draftsman with Boston Bridge Works. Spring 1895, asst. to Stevian (?) Motive Power Office New England R.R. Summer 1895 Draftsman Berlin Iron Bridge Co. 1896 & 1897 asst. Engineer Aransas Pass Harbor Co. Aransas Pass, Texas in charge of construction of random stone jetty, surveyors on land and water, &c&c. Summer, 1898, draftsman Berlin Iron Bridge Co. Fall 1898, to Fall 1899, draftsman and subsequently to April 1903, Chief Draftsman, James, Leurorine & Corane N.Y.C. on Marine Engineering & Ship Construction work. Since that time, have been engaged on private work of various kinds, chiefly marine work and including the design & superintendence during the past summer of over $75,000 of alterations on the S.S. Pennsylvania, to fit her for use of the Nautical Preparatory School, since become bankrupt……" Other companies that Mr. Pitt's mentions are; International Power Vehicle Co. in Stanford Connecticut, Brooklyn Rapid Trust Company, G.H. Eiswold Providence R.I., Arthur L. Williston in Brooklyn N.Y., The Engineering Employment Bureau, Post Master General in Washington D.C., Mr. Ramsay, Sherwood and Grattan in Mexico, Howard Clock Company in Pittsburgh, Edison Storage Battery Company, The Electric Vehicle Company, H.H. Pike and Brothers, The Delaware River Iron Ship and Engine Building Co., Cape Fear Manufacturing Co., Brushy Mountain Coal Mines, Apopka Waterworks Co., Evans Friction Cone Co. Sensational archive. VG.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Very Good+

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