Ernest Rutherford Signed Check to British Empire League, Plus 2 Bonus Items

A small collection of items relating to Nobel Prize-winning New Zealand physicist Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937) and his time at Cambridge, England, ca. 1926-1937, including a check signed and endorsed by him.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A check fully engrossed and signed by Rutherford as "Rutherford" on the signature line. Check No. 01320, dated May 3, 1937, authorized a payment of £2 - 2 - 0 to be issued to the British Empire League, drawing on accounts at Barclays Bank Limited, Bene't Street, Cambridge. Bearing the usual clerical stamps and markings, and endorsed verso. Expected light surface wear, else very good to near fine. 7.75" x 3.375."

Rutherford died five months after signing this check, in mid-October 1937.

The British Empire League was an organization established by three British lords in 1895, with the aim of promoting a sense of collective identity within the British Empire by drawing on political, economic, cultural, and historical ties. Perhaps Rutherford, who was from New Zealand and worked during his early career in Canada, especially liked the idea of connecting Great Britain to its former and current colonies.

2. A tobacconist's bill from "J. Aldham Sharp, Cigar and Cigarette Merchant" of 16, Silver Street, Cambridge issued to "Prof Sir E. Rutherford" and dated March 29, 1926. The seven itemized entries on the invoice show that Rutherford consumed an average of 1/2 lb. of tobacco every two weeks. Expected light wear including folds and staple marks, else near fine.

3. An envelope postmarked from Plymouth, New Zealand from an unknown correspondent addressed to "Lord Rutherford / Newnham College / Queen's Road / Cambridge / England." Bearing a canceled red 1 pence New Zealand stamp commemorating the Silver Jubilee of Queen Mary and King George V. Expected weathering and letter-opened verso.

All three of these items relate to Rutherford's time in Cambridge, England. Rutherford served as the Director of the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge between 1919 and his death in 1937, during which time the center became internationally known for its cutting-edge scientific research.

Ernest Rutherford's contributions to the realm of chemical and physical science were truly remarkable, and resulted in the 1908 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, among many other awards. Rutherford pioneered the modern concept of the model of the atom; discovered the proton in 1917; and was also involved--either through collaboration or mentorship--in the discovery of the electron in 1897 and the neutron in 1932. Rutherford spearheaded the 1917 experiment in which the first artificially induced nuclear reaction took place. He is also credited with discovering the element radon, identifying the idea of the radioactive half-life, and isolating two distinct types of radiation. For these and other achievements, Rutherford is often known as the father of nuclear physics.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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