Enola Gay Authentic Navigator's Flight Log to be Auctioned by Heritage!

Documents Bombing of Hiroshima, Birth of the Atomic Age

Dallas, TX: Of all the events in human history, few can compare to the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945 at 8:15 am local time. At that moment, the Atomic Age was born and the world was irrevocably changed.

Developed as part of the "Manhattan Project," the first atomic bomb to be used in time of war, the 9,000-pound uranium-235 core-fissionable "Little Boy," was delivered to its target aboard the aircraft Enola Gay, commanded by Col. Paul Tibbets (who named the plane after his mother), with Capt. Theodore Van Kirk aboard as navigator. It was Van Kirk's job to keep a log of the flight, a log that includes the notation, "Bomb Away," at 9:15 am (the time recorded was Tinian Island time, where the Enola Gay was based, one hour ahead of Hiroshima local time). A notation at 10:52 am states, "Cloud Gone," denoting the moment at which the mushroom cloud finally disappeared from Van Kirk's line of vision, one hour and 37 minutes, and many miles, later.

"The log of the Enola Gay, documenting the birth of the Atomic Age, is one of the most significant records in human history," said Tom Slater, Director of Americana auctions for Heritage. "Imagine having documentation about the invention of the wheel, or the printing of the first book. This is every bit as important, and provides an eyewitness account to that world-shattering event, as well as the events leading up to it."

"When the Enola Gay landed, Van Kirk asked his superior officer if he could keep his log," said Sandra Palomino, Consignment Director for Heritage. "Of course, his request was refused, as the log was an official government document. He asked, therefore, if he could make an exact copy and retain the original. The officer agreed to this request, and Van Kirk made his copy, which subsequently entered the official record. He has kept the original in his private collection since that time."

"This became an issue several years ago when the copy was offered at auction," Palomino said. "At that time, when the auction house announced its intention to offer the log of the Enola Gay, Van Kirk spoke up, saying that the copy on offer was definitely not the copy that had flown over Hiroshima. The auction house, appropriately, made Van Kirk's statements known, which led to the lot passing. This, then, is not the copy that was previously offered, but the actual, original and authentic log, directly from the hand of the man who wrote it on that fateful day."

"This lot is accompanied by a pair of photographs picturing the crew of the Enola Gay, fully documented by Van Kirk," said Palomino, "as well as an audio recording of Van Kirk explaining the highly technical nature of the document. It should be noted, however, that the chilling words, 'Bomb Away,' require no explanation."

"Don't miss the opportunity to see this amazing historical document," Slater said. "It can be viewed right now on our website, at www.HA.com, along with every other lot in our upcoming auction. You'll see full-color enlargeable images of each and every piece, read our complete and informative catalog descriptions, and even have the opportunity to place your bids online. This exceptional piece may never again be offered to the collecting public, so take the opportunity to bid now!"

The Enola Gay Log will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Rare Books & Manuscripts auction, to be held on October 25 & 26, 2007 in Dallas, TX.

Navigator Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk's Enola Gay Log, in pencil, 2 large folios, 26" x 20.25" and 26" x 10". Tinian Island to Hiroshima, Japan, and back, August 6, 1945:
ESTIMATE: $350,000 - $400,000

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply email Tom Slater at TomS@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.