Guide to the Gail And Stephen Rudin Atomic Bomb Collection,
1914-2009.

Collection Number: 6990

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
Donor
Date completed:
October 2012
EAD encoding:
RMC Staff, October 2012
Date modified:
RMC Staff, October 2012

© 2012 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Gail and Stephen Rudin atomic bomb collection, 1914-2009.
Collection Number:
6990
Creator:
Rudin, Stephen,
Quantity:
.5 cubic feet.
Forms of Material:
Correspondence, printed materials, models, publications, photographs
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
Letters, documents, photographs, drawings, and models (signed by Paul Tibbets) related to the atomic bomb and its use in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
Language:
Collection material in English


COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Letters, documents, photographs, drawings, and models (signed by Paul Tibbets) related to the atomic bomb and its use in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.

SUBJECTS

Names:
Rudin, Stephen,
Enola Gay (Bomber).

Subjects:
Atomic bomb.

Places:
Hiroshima-shi (Japan) -- History -- Bombardment, 1945.
Nagasaki-shi (Japan) -- History -- Bombardment, 1945.


INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Gail and Stephen Rudin atomic bomb collection, #6990. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

SERIES LIST

Series I. Letters and Documents
Series II. Photographs
Series III. Blueprints and Models

CONTAINER LIST

Date
Description
Container
August 9, 1945
Ashworth, Frederick
Box 1 Folder 1
TMS
Pages: 19
First hand account of the atomic bomb attack on Nagasaki.
Rudin # M-1
Beahan, Kermit
Box 1 Folder 2
Pages: 1
Signed Questionnaire regarding Hiroshima.
Rudin # M-1B
1993
Caron, George
Box 1 Folder 3
"Hiroshima: I Saw it First". Bound booklet signed by tail gunner of the Enola Gay.
Rudin # M-2
Caron, George
Writer's location: Denver, CO
Box 1 Folder 4
ALS
Pages: 2
Questionnaire/Interview regarding Hiroshima.
Rudin # M-2A
Ferebee, Thomas W.
Box 1 Folder 5
DocS
Pages: 1
Message of the Japanese Home Service after Hiroshima, signed by Ferebee.
Rudin # M-3
Jeppson, Morris
Addressee: George
Box 1 Folder 6
ALS
Pages: 1
Explanation in his role on the Enola Gay mission.
Rudin # M-3A
March 20, 2006
Jeppson, Morris
Addressee: Ronald Kelluern
Box 1 Folder 7
TLS
Pages: 1
Jeppson's personal thoughts about the Hiroshima mission.
Rudin # M-4
January 15, 2009
Jeppson, Morris
Addressee: Michael
Writer's location:
Box 1 Folder 8
ALS
Pages: 1
"No second wishes about Hiroshima mission - either about selection or results."
Rudin # M-4A
Jeppson, Morris
Addressee: Dear Sir
Box 1 Folder 9
ALS
Pages: 1
If invasion failed, "Would more atomic bombs have been used in attempts to finally defeat Japan?"
Rudin # M-5
Jeppson, Morris
Addressee: Dear Bill
Box 1 Folder 10
ALS
Pages: 1
Reflecting on the Hiroshima mission.
Rudin # M-5A
Jeppson, Morris
Addressee: Dear Sir
Box 1 Folder 11
ALS
Pages: 2
Arming and releasing the Hiroshima bomb.
Rudin # M-6
June 21, 2009
Jeppson, Morris
Addressee: Bill Smith
Box 1 Folder 12
ALS
Pages: 2
Jeppson writes a detailed response regarding the Hiroshima mission after being questioned by an admirer.
Rudin # M-6B
August 6, 1945
Jeppson, Morris
Addressee: Dear Sir
Writer's location: Hiroshima
Box 1 Folder 13
ALS
Pages: 2
Jeppson answers questions of a correspondent about the effects of the bomb on the crew and the destruction and radioactive fallout that were produced.
Rudin # M-6C
August 6, 1945
Jeppson, Morris
Addressee: Dear Sir
Writer's location: Hiroshima
Box 1 Folder 14
ALS
Pages: 3
Jeppson reveals his thoughts of his mission and describes the use of the atomic bomb.
Rudin # M-6D
December 24, 1986
Gallagher, Ray
Addressee: Mr. Schwab
Writer's location:
Box 1 Folder 15
ALS
Pages: 2
Reflects on current thinking regarding the use of the atomic bomb.
Rudin # M-7A
July 22, 1985
Rehl, Donald C.
Addressee: Fred D. Cavinder
Writer's location: Fountaintown, Indiana
Box 1 Folder 16
TLS
Pages: 8
Pilot of unused third atomic bomb mission justifies its use.
Rudin # M-7
August 9, 1945
Sweeney, Charles
Writer's location: Nagasaki, Japan
Box 1 Folder 17
TMS
Pages: 1
Pilot describes shock waves and fireball resulting from the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki.
Rudin # M-8
April 9, 1986
Sweeney, Charles
Addressee: Mr. Norman
Box 1 Folder 18
ALS
Pages: 1
Pilot clarifies a historical mistake about his Nagasaki mission - Which plane actually dropped the Nagasaki bomb.
Rudin # M-9
August 6, 1945
Tibbets, Paul
Box 1 Folder 19
Signed cards
Pages: 2
"The plane was named "Enola Gay" after my mother," plus a second signature card.
Rudin # M-10
August 7, 1945
Tibbets, Paul
Writer's location: New York
Box 1 Folder 20
Pages: 1
Souvenir facsimile of the front page of the New York Times announcing the bombing of Hiroshima, signed by Paul Tibbets.
Rudin # M-12
February 2002
Tibbets, Paul
Mapcase
Pages: 1
Limited edition souvenir typescript (21/24) recalling dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima.
Rudin # M-14
July 24, 2004
Tibbets, Paul
Box 1 Folder 21
Typescript
Pages: 1
Reflections on Hiroshima plus signed color photo of Enola Gay.
Rudin # M-13
July 25, 1945
Tibbets, Paul
Addressee: General Carl Spaatz
Writer's location: Washington, D.C.
Box 1 Folder 22
DocS
Pages: 1
Reproduction of DS giving the directive to proceed with bombing of Japan, weather permitting. Two Copies.
Rudin # M-17 and 18
October 23, 1964 and July 24, 1980
Tibbets, Paul
Addressee: Mayor Timothy Curtin
Writer's location: UN, NY and Columbus, Ohio
Box 1 Folder 23
TLS and envelope
Pages: 1
First Day Cover signed by Tibbets and Mitsuo Fuchida, the Japanese commander who led the first wave of attack on Pearl Harbor. Letter regarding Tibbets' second thoughts on dropping the bomb.
Rudin # M-19
Tibbets, Paul
Box 1 Folder 24
Typescript
Pages: 1
Interview with USA Today about the dropping of the atom bomb.
Rudin # M-20
Van Kirk, Theodore
Addressee: Dear Sir
Box 1 Folder 25
ALS
Pages: 2
Letter concerning the bombing of Hiroshima.
Rudin # M-22
Van Kirk, Theodore
Box 1 Folder 26
TMS
Pages: 9
Manuscript covering every aspect of the mission over Hiroshima.
Rudin # M-23
Van Kirk, Theodore
Addressee: Dear Max
Writer's location:
Box 1 Folder 27
ALS
Pages: 2
Response to two questions - If Van Kirk agreed to the use of the atomic bomb; and his position on civilian casualties.
Rudin # M-24
Van Kirk, Theodore
Box 1 Folder 28
Typescript
Pages: 1
Signed statement entitled "Atomic Bomb Explosion Over Hiroshima".
Rudin # M-25
Van Kirk, Theodore
Box 1 Folder 29
ALS
Pages: 1
Letter concerning the bombing of Hiroshima.
Rudin # M-26
Van Kirk, Theodore
Box 1 Folder 30
TLS
Pages: 2
Description of the training and preparation for dropping the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima.
Rudin # M-27
Van Kirk, Theodore
Box 1 Folder 31
TLS
Pages: 2
Letter with important details of the dropping of the bomb plus hand-drawn illustration.
Rudin # M-28
November 1, 1990
Ferebee, Brown
Addressee:
Writer's location: Tulsa, OK
Box 1 Folder 32
Typescript, signed
Pages: 2
Mary Babrick Brown donated her hair to be used in a bomb aiming device known as the "Norden Bomb Sight".
Rudin # M-28A
Tibbets, Beser
Box 1 Folder 33
Diagram, signed
Pages: 1
Photocopy of the Enola Gay's escape maneuver after dropping the bomb.
Rudin # M-29
Tibbets, Ferebee
Location: Hiroshima
Box 2 Folder 1
DocS
Pages: 1
Signed blast damage map of Hiroshima.
Rudin # M-30
1914, 1945
Tibbets, Ferebee
Box 2 Folder 2
Manuscript signed
White House Press Release on Hiroshima, "The World Set Free" HG Wells excerpt, the effects of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Signed.
Rudin # M-31
August 6, 1969
Beser, Caron, Ferebee, Van Kirk
Box 2 Folder 3
DocS
Pages: 1
The City of Hiroshima Peace Declaration read by Mayor Setsuo Yamada. Signed by four members of the Enola Gay crew.
Rudin # M-31A
"Operation Crossroads" flown envelope
Box 2 Folder 4
Envelope
Envelope carried in Army Air Force B-29 "Dave's Dream" for Atomic Bomb Test #1. With nine signatures.
Rudin # M-40A
1946
Bikini Atoll A-Bomb
Box 2 Folder 5
Log of observers "Panamint Parade", three newspaper articles.
Rudin # M-40
1946
Olivi, Besser, Albury, Kuharek, Gallagher
Box 2 Folder 17
Reproduction of General Order Number 71 awarding the Distinguished Flying Cross to the crew of Bockscar for their mission over Nagasaki.
Rudin # M-38
August 6, 1945
Jeppson, Morris
Box 2 Folder 6
Photo of destruction after the atomic bomb was dropped, with inscription by Morris Jeppson.
Rudin # M-5B
Tibbets, Paul
Box 2 Folder 7
Signed photograph of Tibbets after landing the Enola Gay and accomplishing Hiroshima bomb mission. Shown receiving Distinguished Service Cross from General Carl Spaatz.
Rudin # M-15
Tibbets, Paul
Box 2 Folder 8
Signed 8.5"x11" photo of Enola Gay by Paul Tibbets. (Over bomb pit) Also included is a letter explaining the "R" tail marking.
Rudin # M-16
Van Kirk, Theodore
Box 2 Folder 9
Signed and inscribed photo of Enola Gay.
Rudin # M-29A
Van Kirk, Theodore
Box 2 Folder 10
Signed photo of Enola Gay coming in for a landing.
Rudin # M-29B
August 6, 1945
Tibbets, Van Kirk, Ferebee
Box 2 Folder 11
Signed photo of mushroom cloud over Hiroshima signed by Tibbets, Van Kirk and Ferebee. Two different photos.
Rudin # M-33 and 34
Tibbets, Van Kirk, Ferebee
Box 2 Folder 12
Enola Gay signed photo by Tibbets, Van Kirk and Ferebee.
Rudin # M-35
August 6, 1945
Tibbets, Van Kirk, Ferebee
Box 2 Folder 13
Signed photo of Hiroshima mushroom cloud signed by Tibbets, Van Kirk and Ferebee. Plus signed photo of the crew members - Tibbets, Van Kirk and Ferebee.
Rudin # M-35A
Tibbetts, Jeppson, Sweeney, Ashworth
Box 2 Folder 14
Signed photo with descriptions of the two atom bombs that were dropped on Japan. Signed by Tibbets, Jeppson, Sweeney, and Ashworth.
Rudin # M-36
Winter 1945-1946
Tibbets, Van Kirk, Jeppson, Ferebee, Nelson
Box 2 Folder 15
Aerial view of Hiroshima in the winter of 1945-46. Signed in blue felt tip by crew members
Rudin # M-36B
1945
Tibbets, Van Kirk, Ferebee, Jeppson, Nelson
Box 2 Folder 16
Signed Enola Gay photo, Tibbets being decorated after mission, and bomber signed by Tibbets.
Rudin # M-37
1945
Olivi, Sweeney
Box 2 Folder 18
Photo of Bockscar on tarmac signed by Olivi and Sweeney.
Rudin # M-38A
1945
Photographs
Box 2 Folder 19
Lot of 15 photos after the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Images contain devastated scenery and buildings, as well as photos of survivors and military personnel. (See captions on verso on some of the photos).
Rudin # M-39
1945
Photographs
Box 2 Folder 20
Three original wire photos: two Nagasaki bomb blast photos, Hiroshima devastation.
Rudin # M-39A
1946
Bikini Atoll Test
Box 2 Folder 21
20 photographs from Operation Crossroads, the United States' 1946 nuclear bomb tests.
Rudin # M-40
Blueprint of "Little Boy" Hiroshima bomb
Mapcase
Handwritten explanations of the components and how it works. Signed by Morris Jeppson.
Rudin # M-6A
Wooden model of the B-29 Enola Gay
Box 3, 4
1/72 scale wooden model of the Enola Gay, signed on the wing by Tibbets. On wooden display stand and accompanied by a photo of Tibbets signing.
Rudin # M-10A
Plastic model of the "Little Boy" bomb
Cast plastic scale model of the "Little Boy" atomic bomb dropped over Hiroshima signed by Paul Tibbets.
Rudin # M-10B
Blueprint of "Fat Man" Nagasaki bomb.
Mapcase
Handwritten explanations of the components and how it works by Van Kirk.
Rudin # M-21
Navigators log
Mapcase
Log of the Enola Gay entirely filled out in the hand of Van Kirk.
Rudin # M-21A

SEPARATED MATERIAL

Signed Books