29th Apr, 2021 12:00
Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science
Important Document from Ernest Rutherford Concerning the Procurement of Radium, 1903
Rutherford, Ernest, OM, FRS, Hon FRSE (Born 30 August 1871 –Died 19 October 1937), New Zealand physicist who came to be known as the father of nuclear physics, autographed document signed E Rutherford, being a request to Alfred Isenthal for the purchase of Radium, dated Sept 11, 1903, 2pp single-sided folded quarto (26cm x 20.3cm), on headed paper ‘British Association for the Advancement of Science, SOUTHPORT MEETING, SEPT, 9th to 16th 1903, RECEPTION ROOM, SOUTHPORT’, leaf creased, small tear (5.2cm) to left centre, light foxing, loose.
The text reads: Dear Mr Isenthal. Can you furnish me any pure radium in the future? If you can get any pure radium at present I would like £25 worth but I would like the (?) that its activity is about the same as tha bought from you which = first class stuff. I have seen same (?) the pure radium that is about 1/10 activity of your sample.
If you have any spare please forward it me in Montreal as soon as you can.
Address Physics Bdg
McGill University
Montreal.
when the account will be immediately settled. I am off to Montreal tomorrow so address reply (+ radium I hope also) to my Montreal address.
Yours Sincerely
E Rutherford
The letter also comes with an early period carbon copy, presumably an office filing copy.
Note: What is particularly interesting about this letter is at that it is dated 1903 which was the year Rutherford was investigating a type of radiation discovered (but not named) by the French Chemist Paul Villard, as an emission from Radium. Rutherford realised that this observation represented something different from alph and beta rays due to its much greater ability to penetrate. Rutherford named this third type of radiation Gamma Ray. All three of of Rutherford's terms are in standard use today – although other types of radioactive decay have been discovered since Rutherford's three types are among the most common.
Note: this letter forms part of a collection recently discovered in the estate of Adolf Isenthal. Letters from this collection have not been previously published.
Sold for £2,480
Result plus buyers premium
Rutherford, Ernest, OM, FRS, Hon FRSE (Born 30 August 1871 –Died 19 October 1937), New Zealand physicist who came to be known as the father of nuclear physics, autographed document signed E Rutherford, being a request to Alfred Isenthal for the purchase of Radium, dated Sept 11, 1903, 2pp single-sided folded quarto (26cm x 20.3cm), on headed paper ‘British Association for the Advancement of Science, SOUTHPORT MEETING, SEPT, 9th to 16th 1903, RECEPTION ROOM, SOUTHPORT’, leaf creased, small tear (5.2cm) to left centre, light foxing, loose.
The text reads: Dear Mr Isenthal. Can you furnish me any pure radium in the future? If you can get any pure radium at present I would like £25 worth but I would like the (?) that its activity is about the same as tha bought from you which = first class stuff. I have seen same (?) the pure radium that is about 1/10 activity of your sample.
If you have any spare please forward it me in Montreal as soon as you can.
Address Physics Bdg
McGill University
Montreal.
when the account will be immediately settled. I am off to Montreal tomorrow so address reply (+ radium I hope also) to my Montreal address.
Yours Sincerely
E Rutherford
The letter also comes with an early period carbon copy, presumably an office filing copy.
Note: What is particularly interesting about this letter is at that it is dated 1903 which was the year Rutherford was investigating a type of radiation discovered (but not named) by the French Chemist Paul Villard, as an emission from Radium. Rutherford realised that this observation represented something different from alph and beta rays due to its much greater ability to penetrate. Rutherford named this third type of radiation Gamma Ray. All three of of Rutherford's terms are in standard use today – although other types of radioactive decay have been discovered since Rutherford's three types are among the most common.
Note: this letter forms part of a collection recently discovered in the estate of Adolf Isenthal. Letters from this collection have not been previously published.
Auction: Fine Photographica & Instruments of Science, 29th Apr, 2021
Viewing Location:
Pipers Way
THATCHAM
RG19 4EP
Important Information: Non-Attended Sale On-Line, Telephone & Commission Bids Only
