"The X-ray data which Jim and I used was almost entirely Rosalind Franklin’s measurements of the dimensions of the two forms, A and B" - photo 1

"The X-ray data which Jim and I used was almost entirely Rosalind Franklin’s measurements of the dimensions of the two forms, A and B"

Lot 128
27.01.2023 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
$ 100 800
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 887906
Lot 128 | "The X-ray data which Jim and I used was almost entirely Rosalind Franklin’s measurements of the dimensions of the two forms, A and B"
Estimate value
$ 6 000 – 9 000
CRICK, Francis (1916-2004). Typed letter signed (“Francis” and also typed “Dr. F.H.C. CRICK” in return address), to Leonard Hamilton, 6 December 1955

One page, 240 x 194mm. On Cavendish Laboratory airmail stationery, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge (tiny rust stain to top margin) with "Medical Research Council Unit" additionally typed in.

Addressing the struggle over credit and acknowledgement in the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA, mentioning Watson, and particularly pertaining to the ill will between Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. Crick writes to Leonard Hamilton—the mutual friend of himself and Maurice Wilkins—to chastise him over what he thinks is Hamilton’s exaggeration of his own role in the great discovery of 1953. However, it seems that Hamilton was rather caught in the cross-fire between Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin (see following lot). In any case, the topic leads Crick to make a very pointed distinction between the discovery and the proof of the double helix structure. He credits Franklin’s photographs solely with enabling him and Watson to make the essential insight—and credits Wilkins’s continued work (including data from the DNA supplied by Hamilton’s lab in New York) with the proof of that insight. In part:

“I have not liked to point it out to you before, but I think you should realise that the X-ray data which Jim and I used was almost entirely Rosalind Franklin’s measurements of the dimensions of the two forms, A and B and a very rough idea of their intensity distribution. Did you, in fact, ever supply DNA to Rosalind before Christmas 1952? I suspect that if you had supplied no material at all it would have made no difference to our proposal of the structure. Of course, we realize that since then Maurice has made extensive use of your material, and the proof of the structure, and of the exact configuration, will depend upon the data so obtained. / When this is eventually published properly I am sure Maurice will give you full credit, but till then I feel that you should avoid overplaying your hand.”
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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13.01.2023 – 27.01.2023
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