646. 1946 BIKINI ATOLL ATOM BOMB DROP LETTER A rare postwar atomic test letter, 3pp. 8vo., in green ink by Staff Commander Harold D. Ream, U.S.S. Albemarle, [n.p., but Pearl Harbor], June 30, 1946, detailing babysitting the bomb before the drop while having the cover held so it could be canceled with the unique "Able Day" postmark. In part: "...The hot apple pie is now...at the air field and will be placed in the bomb bay of the B-29 in a short time. Everything has gone off according[ly]...if the weather is clear in the morning, we will make the drop at 9:30 A. M. ...my jeep is waiting on the pier & [I will] have to go back...to the strip in a minute. From then on I have to play nurse maid to the rascal until the drop...I just wanted to scratch out a couple of lines so that you can get the envelope with the special postmark. They have devised the mark just for one day and then it will be thrown away. I haven't seen the postmark as yet...plenty hot out here today. I've been dripping from every pore...I hope it stays that way. At least until after the first shot...I'll have more time after this one goes off, the shot I mean...". Also, included is the original transmittal cover with an air mail stamp depicting a B-29 and cancellation reading: "U. S. Navy, Fleet Post Office, July 1, 1946 A. M., Atomic Bomb Test, Bikini Atoll". Both near fine. $400 - 500