The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki [and] Photographs of the Atomic Bombings

one of the earliest scientific reports

The rare first edition of one of the first scientific reports on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, produced in the immediate aftermath by representatives of the Manhattan Project. The complete set, comprising both the text and photographic volumes. Preceded only by the US Strategic Bombing Survey's report published ten days earlier on June 19th.

The Special Manhattan Engineer District Investigating Group - three teams of scientists, medical doctors, and radiation experts led by Leslie Groves's deputy, General Thomas Farrell - arrived in Tokyo on September 1st, 1945. Joined by members of the International Red Cross, Army Medical Corps, and General Douglas McArthur's staff, they made radiation measurements, surveyed infrastructure damage, categorised injuries, and took numerous photographs.

'Significantly, the report concluded that the cities did not possess harmful levels of persistent radioactivity after the explosions' and they 'also noted the observed psychological effects on survivors and demonstrated this feeling of terror by including an eye-witness account in the appendix' ('Surveys of Hiroshima and Nagasaki', The Atomic Heritage Foundation, June 2, 2017).

First edition. First volume a 24-leaf booklet, wire-stitched (26.5 x 20 cm); 2 folding maps, second map with a short tear at the lower gutter; original cream wrappers printed in black, thin streak and some scuffs to the upper cover, two small, closed chips to the upper cover, wrappers toned, a very good copy. Second volume a 101-leaf booklet, wire-stitched (26 x 19 cm); 2 folding maps, diagram, 98 illustrations from photographs (1 per page, plus a duplicate of number 57), small tear in map 1 without loss, minor misfolding of map 2, a little uneven toning of the contents; original buff wrappers printed in black, partial toning of the upper cover, lightly rubbed, some dulling and small spots, very good condition.