HIROSHIMA – A pair of gelatin silver prints depicting the mushroom cloud produced by the first atomic bomb used for military purposes, over Hiroshima, 6 August 1945.

850 x 114mm (3 3/8 x 4 1/2 in.) each, mounted to a larger board ca 1976.

Two unofficial photographs of the mushroom cloud over Hiroshima taken from one of three B-29 bombers that flew in the bombing run led by the Enola Gay. The next closest aircraft was The Great Artiste, which was equipped with instruments to measure the strength of the blast. Coming in the rear was Necessary Evil which was designed to document the event with still and motion picture photography. It is unclear from which plane the present images were taken, but based on the distance and the state of the cloud, it is likely that these images were taken several minutes after the explosion. The most noted photographer of the attack was the Enola Gay's tail gunner, George Caron. However, it appears unlikely that Caron was the photographer in this case as the viewpoint appears to be just above the right wing of the aircraft (details of which can be seen in both images). Another image is credited to Russell E. Gackenbach, the navigator of the Necessary Evil, yet the overall quality and resolution of this image is quite different from the photograph he captured that day.

From the collection of Roger S. Warner. These photographs were kept by Roger S. Warner (1907-1976), who was in charge of the non-nuclear components of the first three atomic bombs ever made. After the successful test at Trinity in July 1945, Warner was sent to Tinian Island, where he oversaw the final assembly of both "Little Boy," and "Fat Man." Interestingly, Warner himself claimed that the two photographs were taken from the tail gunner's position. Shirley Thomas, Men of Space. (1962), 267). If so, they may have been taken by Caron as the Enola Gay began its long journey back to base (assuming he left his duty station for a spell). Further photo analysis of the details of the plane's wing may offer additional clues in identifying the photographer and the plane involved. Please see lots 99 and 101 for additional photographs from Warner's collection. Provenance: Roger S. Warner — (inherited by) his nephew, the consignor.