Successful Nobel Prize nomination for Edward Appleton.

'which is of some indirect interest to you'

A set of letters and drafts of the nomination of Edward Appleton for the Nobel Prize in Physics, from the files of nominator Edward Neville da Costa Andrade. Nobel Prize application materials are rare, and we are unaware of any other examples having come on the market. This one is particularly interesting for showing cooperation between nominator and nominee, as Andrade requests Appleton's comments on the nomination statement, noting with deadpan humour that the matter is 'of some indirect interest to you'.

Edward Victor Appleton (1892-1965) earned his degree at Cambridge and then joined the Cavendish laboratory under Ernest Rutherford. There he 'commenced a lifelong systematic investigation of the structure and electrical properties of the upper atmosphere', in particular the relationship between radio waves, the layers of the atmosphere, and magnetic variation caused by the sun. 'These researches, the first distance measurements by radio, were of great technological significance for radio communication, and his experimental methods were used later by Robert Watson-Watt in the development of radar' (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography).

Edward Neville da Costa Andrade (1887-1971, known as Percy by his colleagues), was appointed Quain professor of Physics at University College, London in 1928. There, 'he built up and sustained for many years an outstanding research school in the physics of solids and liquids, which produced many classic papers on the growth and plastic glide of metal single crystals, on the origin of cracks in glass, and on the viscosity of liquids (ODNB).

The earliest material in this file is the printed invitation to Andrade to submit a nomination, dated September, 1945. This is accompanied by two copies of the Nobel Code of Statutes (one first edition published in 1901, and the other published in 1946) and two lists of previous winners (published in 1945 and 1947).

Next, a manuscript letter from Appleton dated December 9, 1945, apparently replying to a request from Andrade that is not included here. 'My dear Edward, I hope the enclosed will be suitable for your purpose. I've felt guilty in writing it but I've had to put the case as fairly as I can. Naturally I am pleased - very pleased - that you should think of me whatever happens!...' This is accompanied by a manuscript in Appleton's hand which describes the primary steps in his research programme and his findings: 'A. initiated the use of radio wave methods of explaining the electrical layers of the upper atmosphere (since called the ionosphere) and has since taken the leading part in the prosecution of this work till today. From his scientific work and that of others in this field has come the practical technique of radar... The work on the ionosphere has opened up a new field of geophysics...'

Andrade replies with a typed letter signed on December 13th, 'My dear Vic, I send you herewith a rough draft of what I propose to send to the Nobel people. If there are any alterations or additions that you can suggest, let me know. Needless to say, I will preserve the strictest confidence about any help which you care to give me in this matter, which is of some indirect interest to you', followed by a request for copies of papers and a handwritten note asking that he 'please return this, as I have no copy''.

The typescript copy of the nomination includes small pencilled corrections in Appleton's hand and ink corrections in Andrade's. These were incorporated into the finished nomination, of which there are two carbon copies, as well as a carbon of Andrade's covering letter to the Nobel Committee Chairman, dated December 21st, 1945.

Andrade's nomination was successful, and Appleton was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1947.

Official printed invitation from the Nobel Committee with typed and manuscript additions; 3-page manuscript by Appleton on the backs of 4 printed pages, with accompanying manuscript letter on a single leaf of plain paper; typed letter signed from Andrade to Appleton on University College London letterhead with duplicate; 1 typed and 2 duplicated copies of Andrade's nomination, the typed copy with pencil and ink corrections; official Nobel Prize Code of Statutes published in 1901, and the same published in 1946; lists of previous award winners published in 1945 and 1947. Occasional toning and small spots, some rust marks from paperclips, very good condition.