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[[preprinted]]]
RACHEL FERMI
4644 HAZEL AVENUE
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19143
TEL: 609.227.7200 x389
FAX/TEL. 215.727.8294

ESTHER SAMRA
PENNYWORTH COTTAGE
GRACEMERE
TARRYTOWN, NY 10591
FAX/TEL. 914.332.0121

[[/preprinted]]

William E. Jones
108 W. Ellsworth Street
Columbia City, IN 46725

June 19, 1994

Dear Mr. Jones,

[[highlighted]] Roger Meade at the Archives of the Los Alamos National Laboratory suggested I contact you and gave me your address. [[/highlighted]] I am writing to ask for your help with a book project I am working on currently titled Picturing the Bomb: A Photographic History of the Manhattan Engineering District.

I am interested in any extant photographic material you might have from your involvement with the Manhattan Project. Roger Meade told me that you were in the [[strikethrough]]Navy[[/strikethrough]] and went into Hiroshima. I am a photographer (currently Assistant Professor of Photography at a college in New Jersey), and am collaborating with a photo historian, Ester Samra, researching photographs from the Manhattan Project to put together a book to be published in the Fall of 1995. Although there are many books of history written about the project, I know of no book which was devoted primarily to imagery. As well, since the Manhattan Project was such a pivotal event of the 20th century, it seemed very interesting to consider this material as it was produced by another important 20th century gadget - the camera. We have been collecting photographs from the archives at Hanford, Oak Ridge, Los Alamos and the National Archives, as well as from individuals - Bob Serber, Henry Barnett, Jack Aeby, Berlyn Brixner have each allowed us to use some of their photographs. We are very interested in finding personal snapshots from people to contrast with the formal photography as well as to show things that have not ordinarily been seen.

If you had any material you would be willing to share, I can assure you I would handle any thing you might send with great care, but I would be very pleased to see xeroxes if you are not comfortable sending original material. Thank you for your help.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[[signature]] Rachel Fermi [[/signature]]
Rachel Fermi