TLS signed “Ira Gershwin,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, July 24, 1969. Letter to Professor Peter van de Kamp, in full: "I am amazed (and delighted) that with such incredibly-important goings-on between Earth and Moon an astronomer still finds time to request an autograph of my brother and even one from me. Such appreciation hastens me to oblige and, luckily, I found (and enclose) a good signature on a check of my brother's, made out to a music-related matter. (With music as your avocation I couldn't possibly send you a check made out to a garage or even the A. & P.) My deepest thanks to you for your kind remarks and I trust this finds you happy and in the best of health." The referenced check is affixed to the lower portion: a personal check, 6.5 x 2.75, filled out in another hand and boldly signed by Gershwin, "George Gershwin," payable to the American Library of Musicology for $5. In overall very good to fine condition, with a tear to the upper left corner of the check, and light show-through from the tape Ira used to affix the check to his letter (the letter also has show-through from old tape on the reverse). Van de Kamp was a Dutch astronomer who was professor of astronomy at Swarthmore College and director of the college's Sproul Observatory. Additionally, Van de Kamp was a talented musician who played piano, viola, and violin, composed music for orchestra as well as for piano, and served as the conductor of the Swarthmore College Symphony Orchestra.
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