GILBERT NUCLEAR PHYSICS NO. U-238 ATOMIC ENERGY LAB" BOXED 1952 SET.
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Winning Bid:
$12,980.00 (Includes 18% Buyer's Premium)
Bids:
16
Bidding Ended:
Thursday, July 13, 2017 9:00:00 AM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Thursday, July 13, 2017 9:00:00 AM)
Time Left:
Ended
Auction:
Auction #221 - Part II
Value Code:
M - $5,000 to $10,000 Help Icon
Item Description
16.5x25.25x4.75" deep textured paper-covered case contains A.C. Gilbert Co. set No. U-238 (a clever reference to Uranium-238, the most common isotope of uranium found in nature). This infamous lab's intention was to allow children to create and watch chemical reactions using radioactive material. The lab contains a cloud chamber that allowed the viewer to watch alpha particles travel at 12,500 miles per second, a spinthariscope (a device for observing individual nuclear disintegrations caused by the interaction of ionizing radiation w/a phosphor or scintillator) that showed the results of radioactive disintegration on a fluorescent screen and an electroscope that measured the radioactivity of different substances included in the set. Looked upon as being dangerous because of the radioactive material in the set, Gilbert claimed that none of the materials could conceivably prove dangerous. In addition to items mentioned above, lab also includes - Geiger-Mueller Counter, nuclear spheres, Alpha, Beta and Gamma radioactive sources, radioactive ores, three illustrated books - "Prospecting For Uranium, How Dagwood Splits The Atom" and "Gilbert Atomic Energy Instruction Book" - Deionizer, three cardboard encased Winchester batteries. Underside of lid features great illustration of boy using lab w/atomic imagery and content listing as well as promotional text including US Government's $10,000 reward for anyone finding uranium ore deposits. Case shows little to no wear and displays Exc. Contents are complete and unused w/original packing material and show some scattered aging/dust soiling and are VF overall. Books/manuals show more moderate aging w/some pinch creases to spines. Fine overall. Unlike other chemistry sets released by Gilbert, the U-238 Atomic Energy Lab never gained popularity and the toy was taken off shelves, selling only from 1950 through 1952. Old store stock, choice condition example of this later 1952 version, as nice as they come. Special shipping required due to contents. This is the second example from this collection, the previous example selling for $8,696 w/o Dagwood books and added Prospecting book. Barry Lutsky Collection.
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