Howard J. Wilk Collection
Scope and Content
This collection contains signed photographs of American molecular biologist James D. Watson and British molecular biologist Francis Crick and accompanying letters, which were collected by Howard J. Wilk. Its contents includes four signed black and white 8 x 10 photographs of Watson and Crick posing with their 3D model of the DNA double helix, which were taken by Antony Barrington Brown. One letter to Wilk written by Ali T. Kokmen of Atheneum Publishers, two letters written to Wilk by Antony Barrington Brown, and a single letter written to Wilk by Francis Crickâs assistant Ashley Butler Geist are preserved in this collection as well.
Dates
- Creation: 1993, 1995
Creator
- Wilk, Howard J. (Person)
Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes and the collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
The Science History Institute holds copyright to the Howard J. Wilk Collection. The researcher assumes full responsibility for all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Background Note
In September 1993, Howard J. Wilk purchased prints of four 8 x 10 black and white photographs of American molecular biologist James D. Watson and British molecular biologist Francis Crick from British photographer Antony Barrington Brown. These prints are reproductions of photographs of Watson and Crick posing with their 3D model of the DNA double helix, which were taken by Brown on May 21, 1953.
Wilks saw James D. Watson speak at the Academy of Natural Sciences on November 11, 1993. At this speaking engagement, he had Watson sign each of the four photographs. Wilks later sent the photographs to Francis Crick at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California. Crick signed each of the photographs and returned them to Wilks in January 1995.
Sources
Howard J. Wilks Collection, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Extent
0.10 Linear Feet (1 Folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Four signed photographs of American molecular biologist James D. Watson and British molecular biologist Francis Crick and four accompanying letters collected by Howard J. Wilk.
Acquisition Information
The Howard J. Wilk Collection was donated to the Science History Institute by Howard J. Wilk in January 2026.
Processing Information
The Howard J. Wilk Collection was processed by Kenton G. Jaehnig in January 2026.
Subject
Genre / Form
- Title
- Howard J. Wilk Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid created and encoded into EAD by Kenton G. Jaehnig.
- Date
- 2026-01
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Science History Institute Archives Repository
315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19106 United States
215.873.8265
215.873.5265 (Fax)
reference@sciencehistory.org