Lot 81
SMYTH, Henry DeWolf (1898-1986). Atomic Energy for Military Purposes. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1945. FIRST EDITION, SIGNED BY EDWARD TELLER.
Sale 714 - Library of a Midwestern Collector
Nov 5, 2019 10:00AM CT
Live / Chicago
Estimate
$2,000 - $3,000

Sold for $3,000

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
SMYTH, Henry DeWolf (1898-1986). Atomic Energy for Military Purposes. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1945. 

8vo. Photographic plates. Original publisher’s salmon cloth lettered in burgundy on spine (very slight wear to extremities); original printed yellow and black dust jacket (price-clipped, slight wear at ends of spine panel, upper front panel creased, slight soiling). Provenance: Unidentified signature front pastedown.
 
FIRST EDITION, trade issue, SIGNED BY EDWARD TELLER, “THE FATHER OF THE HYDROGEN BOMB.” Teller emigrated to the United States from Hungary in 1935; in 1941, he joined Fermi’s team that produced the first nuclear chain reaction.  He joined with Oppenheimer at the Los Alamos Laboratory in 1943 as group leader in the Theoretical Physics Division.  
 
Published on August 12, 1945 (only six days after Hiroshima), Smyth’s Atomic Energy for Military Purposes, is a "remarkably full and candid account of the development work carried out between 1940 and 1945 by the American-directed but internationally recruited team of physicists, under the code name of 'Manhattan District', which culminated in the production of the first atomic bomb" (PMM).  The first trade edition was preceded by top-secret mimeographed versions of the typescript, and a lithoprint version produced by the Pentagon for distribution to the press. PMM 422e; Princeton University Library Chronicle Vol. 37, No. 3, pp.204-18; see Norman 1962.

Condition Report

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Hindman.

Please email conditionreports@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.