The women provided a glimpse into the atomic era, life as Copa showgirls and how they became icons of Las Vegas, yet were sometimes misidentified in photo captions or their names altogether omitted.

He tracked down the photographer and interviewed former showgirls who confirmed Miss Atomic Bomb’s stage name. But the woman’s real name still eluded him.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — It wasn't going to be easy to track down the woman who came to be known as “Miss Atomic Bomb." All Robert Friedrichs had to go on was ...

LAS VEGAS (AP) — It wasn’t going to be easy to track down the woman who came to be known as “Miss Atomic Bomb.” All Robert Friedrichs had to go on was a stage name he found printed under ...

All Robert Friedrichs had to go on was a stage name printed under an archival newspaper photo of her posing with other Las Vegas showgirls.

Friedrichs first set out to find Miss Atomic Bomb around 2000. It would take him more than two decades to unravel the mystery of Lee A. Merlin's true identity.

The Miss Atomic Bomb photo played a key role in shaping Las Vegas’ identity as a city of fantasy and spectacle. Yet little was known about the star — until now.

The women provided a glimpse into the atomic era, life as Copa showgirls and how they became icons of Las Vegas, yet were sometimes misidentified in photo captions or their names altogether omitted.

Rare jewels from Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and more—including a pink and bluish-green diamond ring and antique diamond brooches—are set to headline Bonhams’ London Jewels auction on June 5, 2025.