J. Robert Oppenheimer Typed Letter Signed. [WITH] Related Manhattan Project Ephemera.

OPPENHEIMER, J. Robert; [George Little].

$17,500.00

Item Number: 147275

Santa Fe: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, 1945.

Rare typed letter signed by the Father of the Atomic Bomb, J.R. Oppenheimer. Quarto, one page on Oppenheimer’s Santa Fe stationary, dated October 13, 1945, the letter reads in part, ‘Dear Mr. Little This letter is to acknowledge your contribution to the development of the atomic bomb. The unequivocal success of the Los Alamos Project was made possible by the unstinting efforts and sacrifices of the members of the Special Engineering Detachment … During the extreme production rush of the early summer you were one of a small group who did the work of a much larger group. During this period you willingly and cheerfully worked seven days a week, eight to ten hours a day … very truly yours, “J.R. Oppenheimer” J. Robert Oppenheimer – Director.’ The recipient, George G. Little, was one of Oppenheimer’s former employees at the Los Alamos Laboratory established as part of the Manhattan Project tasked with designing and building the first atomic bombs. Oppenheimer wrote letters of acknowledgement for his employees two months after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and three days before his resignation as director and replacement by Norris Bradbury. Every letter was specially tailored to reflect the personal contribution of each individual staffer. In near fine condition with mail folds and a spot of light toning. Housed in the War Navy Departments Official Records envelope addressed in an unknown hand. Accompanied by additional material that provides background on the recipient including: George G. Little’s War Department U.S. Engineer Office identification card; two photographs of Little and friends in U.S. Army dress; Army paperwork including furlough material, paperwork and certificates for academic coursework in the Army Specialized Training Program at Rutgers University, Veterans Administration eligibility paperwork, a Separation Qualification Record, a note of thanks on White House stationary signed by Harry Truman in facsimile, a typed sheet with eight important facts to remember; and a brass Manhattan Project “A Bomb” lapel pin.

J. Robert Oppenheimer was a theoretical physicist and director of the Manhattan Project's Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II. He is often called the "father of the atomic bomb."