Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Hyman G. Rickover Signed Letter to Robert L. Michaels, Exceptional Content, 1972

About the Item

Presented is an original typed and signed letter from Vice Admiral Rickover to Robert L. Michaels, dated January 31, 1972, regarding the capabilities of U.S. nuclear-powered submarines. In this interesting letter, Vice Admiral Rickover writes while at sea in the North Atlantic from the latest nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Silversides, about its capabilities. Rickover writes that “[t]he new SILVERSIDES is equipped with the latest navigation and electronics systems and a computer controlled weapons system which enable her to detect and attack targets at considerable distances. These characteristics, combined with the ability to operate at high speeds for long periods of time and the environmental independence provided by nuclear propulsion, make her a powerful weapon against surface ships and submarines alike.” Rickover then continues to discuss the United States’ submarine fleet as a whole, to show the growing force of nuclear-powered submarines, both in numbers and operational power. “In addition to the 56 attack type nuclear submarines, we also have 41 Polaris submarines and a deep submergence ocean engineering submarine, making a total of 98 nuclear submarines in operation. When all nuclear submarines presently authorized by Congress are completed, the United States will have 72 attack and 41 Polaris submarines.” Hyman G. Rickover (1900-1986) was born in Russian Poland and migrated to New York City with his family in 1906. Two years later, they moved to Chicago. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1922 and was commissioned an ensign. He served on a destroyer and battleship before earning a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Columbia University in 1930. Rickover served on submarines from 1929 to 1933 and commanded a minesweeper for three months in 1937, but was soon sent to Washington for work in the Bureau of Engineering. Rickover became an early proponent of the idea of nuclear propulsion for naval vessels, both submarines and surface ships. He led a team that developed a reliable nuclear reactor that could power submarines, the first being the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered vessel, launched in 1954. Promoted to Vice Admiral in 1958, Rickover received the first of two Congressional Gold Medals. Over the next three decades, Rickover interviewed and approved or rejected every officer being considered for a nuclear ship, eventually numbering in the tens of thousands of interviews. Rickover retired in January 1982, just after his eighty-second birthday, after sixty-three years of service in the U.S. Navy under thirteen presidents. Condition: Very good condition. 1 page letter, typed, from Hyman G. Rickover to Robert L. Michaels. Dated January 31, 1972, USS Silversides, at sea, North Atlantic. Typed on cream USS Silversides Fleet Post Office letterhead. Signed in black ink, at bottom, “H. G. Rickover”. Unframed.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 0.03 in (0.77 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1972
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Very good condition. 1 page letter, typed, from Hyman G. Rickover to Robert L. Michaels. Dated January 31, 1972. Typed on cream USS Silversides Fleet Post Office letterhead. Signed in black ink, at bottom. Unframed.
  • Seller Location:
    Colorado Springs, CO
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: AS1561stDibs: LU909718947192
More From This SellerView All
  • Theodore Roosevelt Signed Letter Collage
    By Theodore Roosevelt
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    Presented is a Theodore Roosevelt signed letter to Colonel C. D. MacDougall, dated August 16, 1910. In the letter, Roosevelt politely declines MacDougall’s invitation to speak, as he...
    Category

    Vintage 1910s American Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Paper

  • Walter Johnson, Washington Senators Hall of Fame Pitcher, Signed Letter, 1925
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    Offered is a collage featuring a typed letter signed by baseball’s Walter Johnson, a reproduction scorecard from the 1924 World Series, and a photo of Johnson in his uniform. All elements are framed and matted together in a custom-built frame. The letter is dated November 7, 1925 and addressed to a Mr. Leo Bicher. In his letter, he explains how he missed the letter at first and will send a signed baseball to Bicher if there is another exposition in the future. At the bottom, Johnson signed his name in dark ink. The score card celebrates the Washington Base Ball Club as the 1924 World Series pennant winners. The Washington Senators...
    Category

    Vintage 1920s American Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

    Materials

    Paper

  • Founding Mothers, Signed by Cokie Roberts, Limited Easton Press Edition, 2004
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    Roberts, Cokie. Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised A Nation. Norwalk: The Easton Press, 2004. Signed, Limited Edition of 1500. Octavo. In the publishe...
    Category

    Early 2000s American Books

    Materials

    Paper

  • "The Air Combat Paintings of Robert Taylor" signed by Taylor and Fighter Pilots
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    Taylor, Robert and Charles Walker. The Air Combat Paintings of Robert Taylor. Published 1990-2009 by various publishers. Six-volume set signed and inscribed two times by Taylor and signed throughout by 51 fighter pilots...
    Category

    Late 20th Century Books

    Materials

    Paper

  • Knute Rockne Autographed Letter Collage
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    Presented is a typed letter signed by one of the greatest football coaches of all time, Knute Rockne. The letter is typed on Rockne’s personal letterhead, written while coaching the Fighting Irish in Notre Dame, Indiana. It is dated October 20, 1927 and addressed to Hugh O'Donnell, the Assistant Business Manager of the New York Times. The letter reads, in full: “Dear Hugh: Many thanks for the clippings —-- I enjoyed them very much. See you at the Army game.” It ends, “Yours cordially, K.K. Rockne” with Rockne’s signature in black ink. Knute Rockne (1888-1931) was a Norwegian-American football player and famed coach of the Notre Dame football...
    Category

    Vintage 1920s Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

    Materials

    Paper

  • Air Combat Paintings of Robert Taylor, by Robert Taylor, 1987
    Located in Colorado Springs, CO
    Taylor, Robert, with Robert Weston. The Air Combat Paintings of Robert Taylor. St. Catherines: Vanwell Publishing Limited, 1987. First edition printing. Blue cloth boards with gilt titles to the spine. Original dust jacket. Presented is a first edition printing of Robert Taylor Air Combat Paintings by Robert Weston and Robert Taylor. Published in 1987 by Vanwell Publishing Limited in St. Catherines, Ontario, this book features a foreword by Air Vice Marshal ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, CB, CBE, DSO, DFC, DL. The book is volume one, of six total volumes, of Taylor’s dramatic aviation paintings. This was the first book published featuring a comprehensive selection of Robert Taylor’s aviation...
    Category

    Vintage 1980s British Books

    Materials

    Paper

You May Also Like
  • 'Buffalo Bill' Cody Signed Letter
    Located in Jersey, GB
    A handwritten, signed letter by the legendary Old West showman William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846 – 1917) was an Ame...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Paper

  • Claude Monet Handwritten & Signed Letter
    Located in Jersey, GB
    A Claude Monet handwritten & signed letter dating from 1840 With exceptional content regarding his famous 'lost' painting Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe Claude Monet (1840 - 1926) is one ...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Paper

  • Charles Lindbergh Handwritten Signed Letter
    Located in Jersey, GB
    A revealing handwritten letter, signed by the pioneering aviator Charles Lindbergh (1902 – 1974). The letter comprises five pages, each measuring 5...
    Category

    20th Century Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Paper

  • Winston Churchill Typed Signed Letter
    Located in Jersey, GB
    A typed and signed letter from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill Winston Churchill (1874 –1965) was a politician and statesman who twice served as British Prime Minister, and...
    Category

    20th Century Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Paper

  • Albert Einstein Typed Letter, 1951, Signed
    Located in Phoenix, AZ
    This is a typed letter from Albert Einstein to Mrs. Clotilde Orszag of New York hand signed by the noted physicist. The letter, written in German, is d...
    Category

    Vintage 1950s Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Paper

  • Winston Churchill Typed and Signed Letter
    Located in Jersey, GB
    A typed and signed letter from iconic British Prime Minister Winston Churchill Winston Churchill (1874 –1965) was a politician and statesman who twice served as British Prime Ministe...
    Category

    20th Century Historical Memorabilia

    Materials

    Paper

Recently Viewed

View All