Lot 1539: POWER, TYRONE

1539. TYRONE POWER Good content T.L.S. "Tyrone", on his personal letterhead, 3pp. 8vo., August 10, 1945, to his friend noted film editor Watson Webb, Jr. regarding his thoughts on the long term effects of the use of the atomic bomb. Written just the day after the second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Power reflects: "... Of course, the thought in everyone's mind, and the subject of all conversation these days is the new bomb. And it is not just the immediate effect... but the effect it is going to have on us all, for the rest of our lives. For as surely as I sit here writing to you tgis [sic] morning...our whole lives have changed... Speculation is high, as to just how long the world will last, now that they have released this force. They are well on the road to destroying it all... The only question everyone asks is, 'How much more time do we have....how many years'? Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be able to see some of the pictures that were taken just after the first one was dropped. Even if I were allowed to tell you what it was like, I doubt whether I could... the human mind cannot grasp it, at present..." Written the day after the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Power's tone is filled with overwhelming wonder and disbelief. Power enlisted in the Marines in 1942 and quickly earned his wings and rose in rank to First Lieutenant. He served in the Pacific theater carrying supplies and wounded, and was discharged in 1946. This lengthy letter also contains friendly content regarding news from back home and the Russia's declaration of war on Japan. Very good condition, and includes the original transmittal envelope. $100-150