Auction Name: 2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 45345

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6323*45345

[Robert S. Mulliken]. John Gamble Kirkwood Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Science. 1964.

Gold medal measuring 50 mm in diameter. Profile bust of John Gamble Kirkwood facing left on obverse, with his dates at bottom, and inscription: "JOHN GAMBLE KIRKWOOD MEDAL" at top. Reverse with inscription: "AWARDED FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SCIENCE BY YALE UNIVERSITY AND THE NEW HAVEN SECTION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY TO ROBERT S. MULLIKEN / 1964." Housed in original wooden case lined in blue velvet and satin, measuring 14.5 x 14.5 cm.

Presented biennially by Yale University's Department of Chemistry and the New Haven Section of the American Chemical Society, the John Gamble Kirkwood Medal recognizes "outstanding research contributions, theoretical or experimental, in the physical sciences." In 1964, Robert S. Mulliken became only the third recipient of the award, joining a distinguished group of scientists whose achievements shaped twentieth-century chemistry and physics. The two previous recipients, Manfred Eigen and Lars Onsager, would each go on to win Nobel Prizes in 1967 and 1968, respectively. Of the twenty-two scientists who have since received the Kirkwood Medal, seven have shared that same distinction, underscoring the award's reputation for honoring pioneers of global significance. Mulliken's recognition by Yale placed him among the foundational figures associated with the Kirkwood Medal and affirmed his continuing scientific impact.

Accompanying provenance materials include correspondence with the Yale Department of Chemistry regarding Mulliken's nomination and acceptance; handwritten notes and an outline for a lecture delivered at Yale; a rough draft of his acceptance speech and printed presentation slides; a typed list of publications by John G. Kirkwood; newspaper clippings and a clipped magazine article covering the award; a copy of Nuclear News, Vol. 7, No. 12, featuring an article on Mulliken; and Chemical & Engineering News, November 16, 1964, with additional coverage of the event.

Condition: Medal fine in fine case. Condition of provenance material generally good, with occasional age-related wear, toning, or staining.

Reference: "John Gamble Kirkwood Award." Department of Chemistry, Yale University.

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

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