American army engineer who designed and built the ironclad Monitor for the US government. Terrific lot of three ALSs, each signed “J. Ericsson,” dated between July and August, 1860. One excerpt reads: “In relation to the boat, nothing can be done to get over the difficulty of the stretching of the belt but the substitution of one capable of doing the work…The tightening pulley is of no use as it would mainly shorten the time in which the single belt will initially be destroyed. Besides the place is so cramped that no official tightening pulley can be put in. For your comfort let me say that with a screw clamp you can put in the double belt so as to avoid taking up the belt.” In fine condition, with expected mild toning and folds, a few pencil notations. R&R COA.
