Lot description
Albert Schweitzer Lambaréné, Gabon (formerly French Equatorial Africa), May 24, 1957 Albert Schweitzer Signed Photo Dedicated From Hôpital Albert Schweitzer SP A vintage photograph engrossed with 20+ words in the hand of German doctor Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965), and signed by him as "Albert Schweitzer" near the bottom. May 24, 1957. Lambaréné, in present day Gabon (formerly French Equatorial Africa). The matte black and white photograph with generous side and bottom borders shows Albert Schweitzer seated near a river, almost certainly the Ogooué River. Captioned in Schweitzer's hand at upper right as: "Sur l'escalier du débarcadère de l'hôpital (1944)" [trans: "On the stairs of the hospital wharf (1944)"]. Dedicated to an American military officer, Colonel Robert F. Carter (born ca. 1899), and inscribed in Schweitzer's hand along the bottom as: "Au Colonel Robert F. Carter avec mes bonnes pensées Albert Schweitzer Lambaréné 24 mai 1957" [trans: "To Colonel Robert F. Carter with my good thoughts Albert Schweitzer Lambaréné May 24, 1957."] Pen-inscribed in another hand as "7-11-49" verso. The slightest gentle cupping of the top and bottom edges, else near fine. 5.75" x 4.125." Albert Schweitzer, a trained physician, and Helene Bresslau Schweitzer, his anesthetist wife, had traveled to the Paris Missionary Society's mission at Lambaréné in 1913 to establish a hospital. The Hôpital Albert Schweitzer opened the same year and operated on revenue generated by Schweitzer's organ concerts and other fundraising efforts. Schweitzer would divide his time between the hospital and Europe for the next fifty years. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 in recognition of his lifetime commitment to charitable work. This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses. WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!