Explaining the Atom. Albert Einstein Typed Letter Signed
First edition of Selig Hecht's Explaining the Atom; with a typed transmittal letter signed by Albert Einstein to Nobel Prize-winning Physicist Maria Goeppert Mayer tipped in
Explaining the Atom. Albert Einstein Typed Letter Signed
HECHT, Selig. [Albert Einstein].
Item Number: 143271
New York: The Viking Press, 1947.
First edition of “by all odds the best book on atomic energy so far to be published for the ordinary reader” (New York Times). Presentation copy, with a typed transmittal letter signed by Albert Einstein tipped in; the book was sent by him to the second woman to win a Nobel Prize in physics, Maria Goeppert Mayer. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with diagrams. Presentation copy, with a typed transmittal letter signed by Albert Einstein folded and adhered to the second free endpaper. Sent by Einstein in his capacity of Chairman of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, the letter reads in full: Princeton, New Jersey April 29, 1947 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Mayer: I am glad to have the opportunity to send you the enclosed book, Explaining the Atom, by Selig Hecht, honorary vice-chairman of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists. Dr. Hecht has succeeded in giving, clearly and simply, an authoritative account of the scientific steps, both theoretical and experimental, that have led to our present knowledge of nuclear fission. I believe also that from this book the discerning reader can gain the information necessary to form an independent opinion on the practical problems of atomic energy confronting the world today. Remembering your concern for these problems, and your interest in the work of our Committee, I hope that you may also share my admiration and respect for this distinguished book. With kind regards, Faithfully yours, “A. Einstein.”
The recipient, pioneering German-born American theoretical physicist Maria Goeppert Mayer (1906-1972) was awarded the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physics for proposing the nuclear shell model of the atomic nucleus. She was the second woman to win a Nobel Prize in physics, the first being Marie Curie, and would be the last for over half a century until Donna Strickland was awarded the prize in 2018.
Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Matthew Leibowitz. The letter is in near fine condition. An exceptional association.
The Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists was founded by Albert Einstein and Leó Szilárd in 1946. Its aims were to warn the public of the dangers associated with the development of nuclear weapons, promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and ultimately work towards world peace, which was seen as the only way that nuclear weapons would not be used again. The Committee was established in the wake of the "Szilárd petition" (July 1945) to United States president Harry S. Truman opposing the use of the atomic bomb on moral grounds, which was signed by 68 scientists who had worked on the Manhattan Project. A majority of scientists working on the Manhattan Project did not know entirely what they were creating at the time. The Committee consisted of the nine members of the Board of Trustees: Albert Einstein (Chairman), Harold C. Urey (Vice-Chairman), Selig Hecht (Honorary Vice-Chairman), Hans Bethe, Thorfin R. Hogness, Philip M. Morse, Linus Pauling, Leó Szilárd, and Victor Weisskopf. Half of the members had worked directly on the Manhattan Project and all had been indirectly involved or consulted on the production of the first atomic bomb. Several members of the committee gave lecture tours to promote the committee's message of peace. They produced supporting promotional materials, including one of the first films to illustrate what a full nuclear war might be like. ECAS was also very vocal in its opposition of the development of the first hydrogen bomb.
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