A letter of reference for a member of the Manhattan Project - photo 1

A letter of reference for a member of the Manhattan Project

Lot 221
28.01.2025 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
ID 1360935
Lot 221 | A letter of reference for a member of the Manhattan Project
Estimate value
$ 6 000 – 8 000
OPPENHEIMER, J. Robert (1904-1967). Typed letter signed ("J.R. Oppenheimer") to John W. Anderson, Santa Fe, N.M., 1 October 1945.

One page, 200 x 180mm (sight size). Matted and framed with personal mementoes including service pins from the University of California. Not examined out of frame.

J. Robert Oppenheimer writes a letter of reference for a veteran of the Manhattan Project, acknowledging Anderson's "work on the atomic bomb project," noting that its success "was only made possible by the sincere work of members of the Military Personnel." Oppenheimer notes that according to the group supervisor, Anderson should be "commended for nine months work in the group responsible for the chemical processing of plutonium. In connection with this work you have had considerable responsibility over one of the sub-groups and have assisted in the development of certain chemical processes which cannot be more fully described at this time because of security regulations." Oppenheimer adds that Anderson was "a very careful worker who has done high quality work." Anderson was a member of the Special Engineer Detachment at Los Alamos, and according to the service pins offered with the letter, he spent much of his career with the University of California. Anderson was also awarded several patents including "a method for coated mold for casting plutonium" in 1961 (No. 3,012,119), "Method of Making Plutonium Monocarbide," in 1962 (no. 3,170,759) and one for "Crucible coating for preparation of U and P alloys containing ZR or HF," in 1972 (No. 3,660,075).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
14.01.2025 – 28.01.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
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