Auction Name: 2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 45344

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6323*45344

[Robert S. Mulliken]. Gilbert Newton Lewis Medal. 1960.

Gold medal measuring 45 mm in diameter. Profile bust of Gilbert Newton Lewis facing left on obverse, flanked by his dates, with inscription: "GILBERT NEWTON LEWIS MEDAL FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN THE THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF CHEMISTRY." Reverse with vignette of sun rising on the horizon and inscription: "AWARDED TO R. S. MULLIKEN / 1960 / BY THE CALIFORNIA SECTION / AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY." Housed in original dark red velvet drawstring bag.

The Gilbert Newton Lewis Medal, named for the influential University of California, Berkeley physical chemist who revolutionized theories of chemical bonding, was awarded to Robert S. Mulliken in 1960 by the California Section of the American Chemical Society. Mulliken traveled to California to accept the medal and deliver a series of lectures on molecular bonding and quantum theory. At sixty-four, he was already one of the leading theoretical chemists of his generation, having established molecular orbital theory and advanced research in the field of spectroscopy. His work had redefined the relationship between chemistry and physics, paving the way for the emerging field of quantum chemistry.

Accompanying provenance materials include correspondence with the American Chemical Society regarding Mulliken's nomination and acceptance of the award; documents related to his travel to California for the ceremony; a brief diary kept by Mulliken during visits to Los Angeles, Pasadena, La Jolla, and Palo Alto; a copy of The Vortex, Vol. XXXI, No. 5, publishing his acceptance speech; a copy of Linus Pauling's Gilbert Newton Lewis Award acceptance speech with holograph annotations by Mulliken; and additional correspondence with colleagues concerning the award.

Condition: Two very light scratches to obverse of medal. Condition of provenance material generally good, with occasional age-related wear, toning, or staining.

Provenance: From the personal collection of the 1966 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Robert S. Mulliken; thence by descent.

Include Thumbnail(s)