EINSTEIN, ALBERTABAA
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1916réf. 2364Braunschweig: Druck und Verlag von Friedr Vieweg and Son 1916. First edition. Original wrappers. Very Good. FIRST PRINTING IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS OF ONE OF EINSTEIN'S MAJOR WORKS: HIS FIRST PAPER ON THE DERIVATION OF PLANK'S LAW AND PROVIDING THE THEORETICAL BASIS FOR THE LASER. "Einstein commended the 'unparalleled boldness' of Planck's derivation of 1900 meaning not only the problem itself but also the fact that it was based on assumptions that were not entirely free of contradictions. Einstein now succeeded in the first of two papers in eliminating that flaw. More interesting than the derivation itself was the general character of his methods. Einstein proceeded from Niels Bohr's basic--and by then well tested--assumption that the electrons within an atom occupy a number of discrete energy states and are able through emission or absorption of radiation to pass from one of those states to another. Added to this was an assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium between radiation field and atom as well as a consideration of the 'classical' limiting case at high temperatures--and there was Planck's formula. This brief argument. also covers emission stimulated by the radiation field; thus the formulas already by implication contain the theory of the laser though it was to take nearly half a century to be realized" Folsing Albert Einstein 389. Weil 85. The "implication" containing the theory of the laser was more fully developed in his companion paper "On the Quantum Theory of Radiation" published a few weeks later. In the first paper Einstein wrestled with the concept that the atomic emission of radiation could be a directed process; in the second paper he convincingly demonstrates that this is indeed the case. IN: Verhandl. D. Deutch. Phys. Ges. Vol 18 pp. 318-323. Braunschweig: Druck und Verlag von Friedr. Vieweg and Son 1916. Octavo original wrappers; housed in custom half leather chemise. One thread literally resewn on wrappers a little creasing and soiling. A beautiful copy. RARE IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS. Druck und Verlag von Friedr Vieweg and Son unknown books
1948réf. 2327Princeton NJ: np 1948. framed. Fine. ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED IMAGES OF EINSTEIN SIGNED BY MASTER PHOTOGRAPHER YOUSUF KARSH. On February 11 1948 Yousuf Karsh perhaps the most accomplished portrait photographer of his generation visited The Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton to fulfill a dream of his: to photograph Albert Einstein. As he later explained: "Among the tasks that life as a photographer had set me a portrait of Albert Einstein had always seemed a 'must' - not only because this greatest refugee of our century has been accounted by all the world as the most outstanding scientist since Newton but because his face in all its rough grandeur invited and challenged the camera." Karsh: Beyond the Camera David Travis ed. "At Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study I found Einstein a simple kindly almost childlike man too great for any of the postures of eminence. One did not have to understand his science to feel the power of his mind or the force of his personality" official Karsh website. "Awed before this unique intellect I yet ventured to ask Einstein his views on human immortality. He mused for a moment and then replied 'What I believe of immortality There are two kinds. The first lives in the imagination of people and is thus an illusion. There is a relative immortality which may conserve the memory of an individual for some generations. But there is only one true immortality on a cosmic scale ant that is the immortality of the cosmos itself. There is no other.' "He spoke of these ultimate mysteries as calmly as he might a student's question about mathematics - with such an air of quiet confidence indeed that I found his answer profoundly disturbing to one who held other views. Knowing him to be an accomplished violinist I turned the conversation and asked if there were any connection between music and mathematics. 'In art he said 'and in the higher ranges of science there is a feeling of harmony which underlies all endeavour. There is no true greatness in art or science without that sense of harmony. He who lacks it can never be more than a great technician in either field.' "Was he optimistic about the future harmony of mankind itself He appeared to ponder deeply and remarked in graver tones: 'Optimistic No. But if mankind fails to find a harmonious solution than there will be disaster on a dimension beyond anyone's imagination.' To what source should we look for the hope of the world's future 'To ourselves' said Einstein. He spoke sadly yet serenely as one who had looked into the universe far past mankind's small affairs. In this humor my camera caught him. the portrait of a man who had traveled beyond hope or despair." Yousuf Karsh Regarding Heroes. Opening quote from: Colin Naylor ed. Contemporary Photographers. Silver print. Photo taken Princeton 1948. Printed later. Signed by Karsh in full beneath the image on photographer's mount. With Karsh's original calling "card" - a 4x10 inch cardboard slip - included. Image: 8x9 inches. Framed to an overall size of 12x15 inches. Fine condition. np unknown books
1953réf. 2270Princeton NJ: np 1953. First edition. custom folder. Very Good. TOWARDS THE END OF HIS LIFE EINSTEIN WRITES TO ONE OF HIS FRIENDS FROM THE PATENT OFFICE CONCERNING ONE OF THE CENTRAL STRUGGLES OF HIS SCIENTIFIC LIFE. COMMENTING ON THE WORK OF DIRAC EINSTEIN ADMITS THAT ALTHOUGH HE "CAN'T TAKE A STATISTICAL FOUNDATION OF PHYSICS SERIOUSLY" HE FINDS IT "DIFFICULT TO MOVE BEYOND IT". Background: Einstein's struggle with accepting a strictly statistical quantum theory has been one of the most discussed and debated topics of twentieth-century physics. When introduced to the statistically-based quantum mechanics of Heisenberg Born and Jordan in 1926 Einstein famously wrote to Max Born that "Quantum mechanics is certainly imposing. But an inner voice tells me that it is not yet the real thing. The theory says a lot but does not really bring us any closer to the secret of the 'old one.' I at any rare am convinced that He is not playing at dice." Einstein letter to Born from 4 December 1926. From the onset "Einstein regarded the quantum theory as descriptively incomplete. What he meant was that in typical cases the probabilistic assertions provided by the theory for an individual quantum system do not exhaust all the relevant and true physical assertions about the system. Put briefly according to Einstein the typical statistical story told by quantum theory is not the whole story." Arthur Fine "What is Einstein's Statistical Interpretation or Is It Einstein for Whom Bell's Theorem Tolls". Einstein's discomfort with the new theory haunted him for the next three decades and his challenges to the theory were the cause of some of the most fertile and defining moments of modern science notably the celebrated "Bohr-Einstein debates" begun at the Fifth Solvay Conference 1927 and his monumentally influential "EPR" paper of 1935 "Can Quantum-Mechanical Description of Physical Reality Be Considered Complete" written with Boris Podolsky and Nathan Rosen. As late as 1949 in his "Reply to Criticisms" published in Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist Einstein notes that Born and Wolfgang Pauli in their contributions to the volume "deprecate the fact that I reject the basic idea of contemporary statistical quantum theory insofar as I do not believe that this fundamental concept will provide a useful basis for the whole of physics" and spends the majority of the essay explaining his position and distinguishing between his acceptance of the model for "ensembles of systems" while still rejecting it for an "individual physical system". The letter: Dated September 12 1953 and written to his old colleague at the patent office in Bern Joseph Sauter the letter translated from the original German reads in full: Dear Mr. Sauter If I am able to I will gladly assist Mr. Keberle. I have heard of you often from my old friend Besso and I have also received a manuscript which deals critically with handwritten Dirac's presentation of the statistical approach to quantum theory. I have not been able to judge it myself because it is simply impossible for me to take a statistical foundation of physics seriously. But I have to admit that it is difficult to move beyond it. Yours sincerely signed A. Einstein. Albert Einstein. The recipient Joseph Sauter worked with Einstein at the Bern Patent office during the years he was developing the ideas for his revolutionary papers of 1905. "Among his colleagues at the Patent Office Einstein discovered one with similar scientific interests-Dr. Josef Sauter a French-Swiss who had also studied at the Polytechnic and who had been Professor Weber's chief assistant for a while. Sauter like Einstein tried to fill the gaps in the Polytechnic's syllabus by private study so that Einstein was able to discuss with him Maxwell's thermodynamics and Helmholtz's and Hertz's theoretical concepts. The two also discussed Einstein's publications on thermodynamics with the result that Sauter discovered a mistake in them which Einstein accepted 'without being the least upset.' Fifty years later Einstein recalled 'that I had a lot of discussions with Sauter about. my thermal-statistical papers'. At least as important as his help with the 'rewriting and amending' were Sauter's connections with scientific circles in Bern to which he soon introduced his new colleague." Albrecht Fölsing Albert Einstein. Edouard Keberle mentioned in the first line by Einstein was a Bulgarian physicist who at the time of the letter had just left the Institute of Theoretical Physics in Bern over a publication dispute. Not long after this letter - in early 1954 - Keberle accepted a post at the Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City. It is unclear if Einstein helped him in any way to get this position. Michele Besso - also mentioned in this letter - was Einstein's close lifelong friend. What prompts Einstein to declare that "it is simply impossible for me to take a statistical foundation of physics seriously" is the mention of a manuscript on the work of Paul Dirac. Philosophically Dirac was almost the opposite of Einstein - he had no interest in probing the interpretations of quantum theory wryly noting in his paper "The Inadequacies of Quantum Field Theory" that "The interpretation of quantum mechanics has been dealt with by many authors and I do not want to discuss it here. I want to deal with more fundamental things." It is revealing in this letter that although Einstein re-states his objection to a statistical basis of quantum theory he has doubts about his position admitting - less than two years before his death - that he still has difficulty moving beyond it. Typed Letter Signed. Princeton NJ: September 12 1953. One 8.5x11 inch sheet with Einstein's embossed Mercer Street address at top. Custom silk presentation folder. With original mailing envelope with postmarks. A few small smudges usual folds; fine condition. ONE OF EINSTEIN'S FINAL STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE CENTRAL TENETS OF HIS SCIENTIFIC PHILOSOPHY. np unknown books
1914réf. 2124Berlin: Königlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften 1914. FIRST EDITION OFFPRINT. Original wrappers. Fine. FIRST EDITION COMMERCIAL OFFPRINT ISSUE of Einstein's important 1914 paper on the development of general relativity. "In summer 1914 Einstein felt that the new theory general relativity should be presented in a comprehensive review. He also felt that a mathematical derivation of the field equations that would determine them uniquely was still missing. "Both tasks are addressed in a long paper presented in October 1914 to the Prussian Academy for publication in its Sitzungsberichte. It is entitled 'The formal foundation of the general theory of relativity'; here for the first time Einstein gave the new theory of relativity the epithet 'general' in lieu of the more cautious 'generalized' that he had used for the Entwurf" Landmark Writings in Western Mathematics 1640-1940. "According to John Norton 'How Einstein Found His Field Equations' this major review article was intended to convey the full content of the 1913 'Entwurf' theory: 'The principal novelty lies in the mathematical formulation of the theory. Drawing on earlier work with Marcel Grossman Einstein formulated his gravitational field equations using a variation principle. Using this richer mathematical structure Einstein offered a proof purporting to demonstrate that his theory had the maximum covariance compatible with the hole argument; that is covariance under 'justified' transformation between the 'adapted coordinate systems' he had introduced with Grossman'" Calaprice The Einstein Almanac. Offprint from: Sitzungsberichte der Königlich Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften XLI 19 November 1914 pp. 1030-1085. Berlin: Königlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften 1914. Octavo original wrappers; custom box. Neat early ownership name on front wrapper. Only the slightest wear; a fine copy. Rare. Königlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften unknown books
1937réf. 1984Princeton: np 1937. First Edition. Very Good. AN EXTRAORDINARY LETTER BY EINSTEIN TO HIS SON OFFERING LIFE ADVICE AND DISCUSSING FREUD SHAKESPEARE AND SCHILLER. Addressed to his son Eduard "Tetel" Einstein and signed "Papa" the letter written in ink on both sides of one sheet reads in full translated from the original German: Dear Tetel I hope by now you've received Freud's lectures from Vienna. I've read most of them myself in the past. They really made me admire the Author but they didn't convince me that his theories were correct. I must admit however that based on my personal experiences my conviction about those theories is weakening -- I feel now that he was onto something at least in regards to the main theses. I would have written to you sooner but work is keeping me very busy. Even though they say that the work of a single person will not have much of an impact in the big picture it does not diminish the passion in which we pursue our interests and that is a good thing. Although personal illusions may bring warmth and joy into one's life when young they don't last a lifetime. Life would be bleak if the work and the passion for discovery did not exist. In my free time I am currently reading Schiller's poems which I have neglected since my youth. They feel a bit pompous but at the same time they are enthralling in their choice of words and grammar. I am really happy that I picked them up again. I would have liked to send you another book on the top of the Freud but didn't know which one to send -- especially because I don't get a lot of German writings anymore. When I have some extra free time after finishing Schiller I really want to start reading Shakespeare everything from him I can get my hands on. If you like to read it too perhaps we could discuss it at some later time Albert is a real delight -- he has been traveling up and down the country for the past 6 weeks and will have seen and experienced many interesting things. I really hope he has followed my advice and kept a journal but I am not holding high hopes. When it comes to talking and writing he seems to be chronically constipated. With my warmest regards Papa Einstein's life advice underscoring one of his core beliefs: Einstein often stated that his main goal in life was the quest for truth no matter how difficult and painstaking the quest. He advises Eduard in this letter that it is the pursuit and the work in attaining the goal that brings satisfaction and sustains one throughout life even if "the work of a single person will not have much of an impact in the big picture". This he notes is critical to understand after the illusions of youth have succumbed to reality. Einstein Eduard and Freud: Eduard Einstein nicknamed "Tete" or "Tetel" born in 1910 was the second son of Albert and his first wife Mileva. From an early age he became enamored with the teachings of Freud even hanging a picture of famous psychiatrist on his bedroom wall. By the age of twenty he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and consequently was institutionalized several times throughout his life. Einstein's views of Freud's teachings were somewhat more nuanced than those of his son. Initially Einstein did not show much interest in Freud's theories and after their first meeting in 1927 Freud famously remarked "He understands as much about psychology as I do about physics." Over the years however Einstein began studying Freud's works. After corresponding with Freud somewhat regularly throughout the 1930s and even collaborating with him on a project sponsored by the League of Nations "Why War" 1932 Einstein began to move from a deep skepticism to - as indicated in this letter - a growing acceptance. By 1936 - just before this letter was written - Einstein sent birthday greetings to Freud acknowledging: "Until recently I could only apprehend the speculative power of your train of thought together with its enormous influence on the Weltanschauung of the present era without being in a position to form a definite opinion about the amount of truth it contains. Not long ago however I had the opportunity of hearing about a few instances not very important in themselves which in my judgment exclude any other interpretation than that provided by the theory of repression. I was delighted to come across them since it is always delightful when a great and beautiful conception proves to be consonant with reality." In this letter to Eduard Einstein admits to Eduard that he now believes Freud "was onto something at least in regards to the main theses." Einstein Shakespeare Schiller: Einstein's fondness for music is well-known but not as much has been recorded about his literary tastes. It is not surprising and has been previously documented that Einstein had a fondness for the great German poet Schiller but we can find no other references to Shakespeare by Einstein in any other letters or manuscripts. His words to Eduard "I really want to start reading Shakespeare everything from him I can get my hands on" imply that Einstein has recently "discovered" Shakespeare and is excited at the discovery. Note: Although the letter is not dated we can assume that it was written late November - December in 1937 when Einstein's son Albert was visiting the United States a trip he refers to in the letter. Princeton: November - December 1937. One 8.5x11 inch leaf written on both sides. In German. Usual folds otherwise fine. A LONG REMARKABLE AND REVEALING LETTER UNITING THE INTELLECTUAL GIANTS EINSTEIN FREUD AND SHAKESPEARE AND SHARING ONE OF HIS CORE BELIEFS WITH HIS SON. np unknown books
1932réf. 1864np: np 1932. First edition. nb. UNPUBLISHED CANDID PHOTOGRAPHS OF EINSTEIN AND LETTERS BY WILLIAM HUBBARD OFFERING AN INTIMATE VIEW OF THE SCIENTIST ON VACATION. On March 2 1932 at the height of his career and world fame Albert Einstein and his wife Elsa set off on a vacation to their German homeland departing from Los Angeles on the M. S. San Francisco. Another passenger aboard the ship was the renowned music scholar William Lines Hubbard. Famous in his own right Hubbard was the music critic for the Chicago Tribune and author of a definitive 11-volume work on the history of opera published 1908. Accompanying Hubbard was his companion Julia Reid their cabins adjacent to that of the Einstein's. As was the practice during this era Hubbard kept detailed journals and letters of his travel experiences. This collection from the estate of Hubbard contains the following items: 1. Three unpublished small black-and-white and sepia photographs. The first photograph 4.5" x 2.5" pictures Einstein his wife Elsa the Ship's Captain Hubbard the tall figure and three other of the ship's passengers dated 3/14/32. The second photograph 3.5" x 3.25" is an outstanding full front image of Einstein his wife Elsa and the ship's Captain. The final photograph 4.5" x 2.5" is a full frontal image of Einstein and his wife Elsa both seated in deck chairs with the ship's Captain standing behind. 2. Typed letter dated March 22 1932 written while sailing through the South Atlantic. Six pages typed front and back on two pieces folded of the ship's original stationary approx. 7.5x11 in. Excerpts on Einstein include: Of our Six Passengers two are Prof. Einstein and wife. They are proving very delightful companions-- sincere unaffected and jolly. At first they were very reserved and merely bowed and smiled and "Guten-Morgan-ed" when entering and leaving the dining room but when they had become rested and saw that none of the rest of us planned to intrude they came forward and have been very genial. She is a great talker but talks interestingly. He walks deck smoking his stubby black pipe or whistling cheerily his gray hair blowing in the breeze. Each forenoon and sometimes in the afternoon he goes to the piano and plays for half hour or so. Plays in that satisfying manner peculiar to a man to whom music is a comfort and who thinks musically. It is in no wise brilliant playing but it is throughly enjoyable to hear. The rest of the time he sits in his steamer chair or in his cabin reading or thinking. On the 14th he had his 53rd birthday and the Capt had ordered from La Libertad Salvador where we had taken cargo the day before large bunches of easter and tiger lilies which in the morning were on the Einstein table together with a birthday cake the ship's cook had made and countless cards and letters which friends had sent. It was all a complete surprise to them both and their happiness was childlike in its spontaneity and sincerity. It was heart warming to watch them. They seem to appreciate being left to themselves and not being lionized. It is the third time they have come through the canal on these boards an they enjoy it to the full. 3. Typed letter dated April 1 1932 written while entering the English Channel. Seven pages on two approx. 8.5x11in sheets folded of the ship's original stationary. Excerpts on Einstein include: We had good fun watching for crocodiles along the banks as we came up the cut and Prof Einstein was especially gleeful when he discovered one. Professor Einstein loves the roung sic weather and has reveled in it. He and the Mme are proving very delightful fellow passengers. She is very chatty but chats interestingly and he struts up and down deck smoking his stubby pipe or whistling like a jolly kid his white hair blowing in the breeze. We have some talks occasionally and he yesterday when he saw the copy of Living Philosophies which I had given me sic before I left San Diego and in which his article is the first took the book and autographed his picture and wrote in remembrance of the happy days on board the San Francisco. I don't think I told you of his birthday which occurred on the 14 of March the day before we reached the Canal. The Capt came to know if it and when the Einsteins came to their table at breakfast they found it decorated with three huge vases of Easter and Tiger lilies which the Capt had secured in La Libertad. The cook had made a gorgeously decorated Torte-- one of the filled and frosted German cakes-- and there were letters and telegrams from friends which had been sent in the Capt's care. It was a complete surprise to the Einsteins and they were like two happy kiddies. It was gladdening to watch their simple and keen enjoyment. Later we had pieces of the Torte which were a bit of muchness for breakfast but which of course we ate. 4. Typed letter dated April 24 1932 written in Merano Italy. Six pages on five 5.5x7in sheets. While recalling a cargo transfer on the M. S. San Fransisco Hubbard writes: The Einsteins were especially enthusiastic and we had a great fun over the boss of the unloading. He was a huge and tremendously rotund gent wearing a soft felt hat and a short overcoat the buttons of which seemed fated to "bust off" at any moment. His chief employment seemed to be running about from side to side of the dock into the warehouse and out again clambering onboard and then clambering off and all the time shouting orders at the top of his voice and gesticulating wildly. Einstein had been reading the "Living Philosophies" which I had loaned him and was especially curious concerning Mencken and how he happened to be included in the great ones in the book. I gave him an outline of Mr. M's greatness and assured him that the book cold sic well largely on account of M being included. All of which amused the Einsteins greatly. So when this wild boss hove into sight that morning and began his excited directing Mrs E said "there is Mister Mencken" and thus he remained so long as we were in Rotterdam. The Einsteins were starting early the next morning for Berlin so they went about 9 pm to the custom house and had their 16 packages bundles and gifts examined. Frau Professor had a funny story to tell of their experience with the 150 pound bag of coffee that had been presented them in Salvador. 5. An official passenger list from the M. S. San Francisco printed on the ship's original stationary 4.75" x 8.25" dated March 2 1932. With "Professor Albert Einstein" and "Mrs. Albert Einstein" shown under the list of cabin passengers going from Los Angeles to Bremen. 6. A postcard depicting Hubbard's profile in black and white 3.45" x 5.45". All items in very good condition letters with wear and soiling at folds and housed in a custom cloth presentation folder. RARE FIRST-HAND TESTIMONY REVEALING THE PERSONALITY OF EINSTEIN IN RELAXED AND INFORMAL MOMENTS. np unknown books
1934réf. 1478Princeton: np 1934. 1st Edition. No Binding. Very Good. AN IMPORTANT SIGNED LETTER in English by Einstein revealing his reservations of associating with communism even in the fight against fascism. Written from Princeton NJ to Professor Albert Sprague Coolidge of Harvard University and dated February 16 1934 the letter reads: My dear Professor Coolidge: I had an opportunity of meeting personally Lord Marley and has sic very favorably impressed by his personality. It became known to me that he sympathizes with the Russian Government i.g. with the Russian communist party and that the committee for which he is active is influenced by communists. The problem as to the attitude which is advisable to be taken towards this committee is rather complicated. On the one hand the world-wide danger of fascism makes it necessary that all enemies of fascism cooperate; on the other hand an action which has communist leanings might endanger that fight since the important task undertaken in defense of culture and civilization may be linked up with interests of a political party. I myself have severed my connections with the committee which with my permission had used my name up to the end of last year. It seems to me advisable to take an attitude as follows: to help their action against fascism but not to identify oneself with the committee. Very truly yours signed A. Einstein P.S. I wish you would be good enough to use this strictly confidentially. In 1934 Lord Baron Marley Dudley Leigh Aman toured the United States to raise funds for his association the World Committee for the Victims of German Fascism. Marley through his committee was "passionately advocating a scheme for which he was to become an international figurehead - resettlement of oppressed German and Polish Jews in the Jewish Autonomous Region" in Siberia. He published a book "The Brown Book of the Hitler Terror and the Burning of the Reichstag sponsored by the World Committee and with an Introduction written by Lord Marley himself which was the first popular exposé of what was happening in Hitler's Germany. It documented the destruction of political parties trade unions and universities book-burning and the building of concentration camps. "At a fundraising dinner held in his honour in New York in February 1934 where Einstein presumably met him just before writing this letter Marley opened the Brown Book and 'speaking quietly declaring that he did not intend to harrow' read aloud to his audience of 600 American Jews some of the collected evidence of Nazi repressions. Here were documentary records of what was happening in Germany - a substantiation of the brutality that hitherto had had no distinct form in the mind of the American Jewish public. What before had been the subject of a growing fear mingled with disbelief was now being presented as hard fact and supported with detailed evidence. The New York Times 8 February 2005 reports the audience being 'startled' by the disclosures and the night ending with $3500 raised for the World Committee" The Jewish Quarterly No. 198. Einstein was correct to be suspicious of Marley's activities for it was later determined that the "World Committee" was indeed a Communist front; Einstein writing here to Coolidge in 1934 was prescient about the motives of the committee. This letter in addition to underscoring Einstein's passionate stance against fascism is particularly important as documentary evidence of Einstein's caution about having any dealings with communism especially considering that the U.S. FBI worried about Einstein's political leanings kept a file on Einstein that grew to 1427 pages. Princeton NJ: February 16 1934. One 8.5 x 11 in. page. Envelope folds minor spotting. An outstanding letter with important and revealing content. np unknown books
1931réf. 1403337Potsdam Germany 1931. Two letters by Albert Einstein. The first is a single-paged autograph letter signed by Albert Einstein with one horizontal fold and one vertical fold. In Very Good condition . Measuring 22.5 x 28.5 cm. Letter accompanied with mailing envelope both with matching paper-clip rust stain. Letter with some light wear along edges small staining to lower corner. Addressed to G. W. Meyer and dated 8 Oktober 31 in Potsdam the Letter reads in full: "Sehr geehrter Herr! Indem ich Ihnen für die Uebersendung des Buches von Henry George bestens danke sende ich Ihnen anliegend die gewünschte Meinungsäusserung mit der Bitte um Weiterleitung an Mrs. Evans. Mit ausgezeichneter Hochachtung" and signed in ink "A. Einstein". He thanks Meyer for serving as an intermediary in getting a book to him and for forwarding the enclosed letter. The second letter is a typed copy of Einstein's previously enclosed letter presumably made by Meyer before he passed the original on to Evans. Addressed to R. W. Evans and dated 8.10.1931 in Potsdam the letter discusses Henry George's economic theory of poverty and land nationalization compares it to Franz Oppenheimer's work and proposes questions to be asked. Presumably he was sent a copy of Henry George's Progress and Poverty. First published in 1879 it sparked the Progressive Era discussing the paradox of increasing inequality and poverty amid economic and technological progress as well as the economic value of land. Consignment. Shelved Case 3. The Letter reads in full: "Sehr geehrte Mrs. Evans! Ich habe das Buch von Henry George zum grössten Teil mit ausserordentlichem Interesse gelesen und glaube dass es in der Hauptsache einen unanfechtbaren Standpunkt vertritt insbesondere was die Ursache der Armut betrifft. Nie in diesem Buch vertretenen Ansichten stimmen soweit ich es beurteilen kann vollkommen mit den Resultaten des zeitgenössischen Professors Franz Oppenheimer überein der sie offenbar selbständig herausgefunden hat. Nicht einverstanden bin ich mit der Theorie des Zinses. Mit dem vorgeschlagenen Heilmittel der Verstaatlichung des Bodens und der Bodenschätzung scheint mir allerdings mehr ein Problem als eine Lösung gegeben zu sein. Soll z. Beispiel ein Boden Eigentum der Gemeinschaft das darauf hingestellte Haus aber Privateigentum sein Jedenfalls ist es schon von höchster Wichtigkeit dass das Wesen des Uebels klar aufgezeigt ist. Schon darum wäre es wichtig wenn das Buch die ihm gebührende Beachtung fände. Mit ausgezeichneter Hochachtung gez. A. Einstein." 1403337. Shelved Dupont Bookstore. unknown books
1932réf. 3054Caputh Germany: np 1932. First edition. Very Good. AN IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC LETTER FROM EINSTEIN TO HIS CLOSEST MATHEMATICAL COLLABORATOR ACCOMPANIED BY A MANUSCRIPT LEAF OF CALCULATIONS IN EINSTEIN'S HAND ON THE SAME LINE OF RESEARCH. Although the original association of the letter and the leaf of calculations cannot be confirmed the two pieces clearly emerge from the same scientific context and have been preserved together. A superb pair from the final months of Einstein's German period. The Letter: In this intense and intellectually urgent letter Einstein writes to Walther Mayer his indispensable mathematical collaborator often referred to as "Einstein's Calculator" describing a newly conceived approach to the technical obstacles in their unified-field theory involving semi-vectors spinors and modified Dirac-type equations. Einstein tells Mayer he believes he "sees a new possibility" one that determines key constants in the system without resorting to the semi-vector construction. He then sketches the structure of the revised scheme points to the condition under which the full set of field equations reduces to a single one and warns that if this same collapse occurs in the general case "the whole thing would be useless." With his imminent departure from Germany he urges Mayer to examine the issue quickly and gives instructions for where a reply will reach him while en route. Dirac and De Broglie - Significance of the Scientific References: Of particular importance is Einstein's explicit engagement in this letter with the work of Paul Dirac and Louis de Broglie two of the central figures in early quantum theory. Einstein refers directly to the Dirac equations introduced only a few years earlier which provided a relativistic formulation of the electron and played a foundational role in quantum mechanics. He also invokes the De Broglie equations for matter waves reflecting his continued effort to reconcile quantum ideas with relativistic field theory. These references place the letter squarely at the intersection of Einstein's unified-field program and the emerging quantum framework he famously regarded with both fascination and skepticism. The letter thus documents Einstein actively testing whether concepts originating in quantum mechanics-Dirac's relativistic wave equation and De Broglie's wave-particle duality-could be absorbed into a geometrically unified classical field theory. Letters in which Einstein explicitly grapples with Dirac and De Broglie at this technical level are rare and represent an important record of his engagement with the central theoretical developments of the early twentieth century. Historical Context: Einstein's collaboration with Walther Mayer beginning around 1930 produced some of the most technically sophisticated papers of Einstein's later career. Together they developed new mathematical structures-semi-vectors spinors and higher-dimensional tangent-space formulations-used in their unified-field attempts. This letter dates from December 1932 only weeks before Einstein left Germany permanently and belongs to the final phase of their joint work published in the Sitzungsberichte of the Prussian Academy. Einstein valued Mayer so highly that he later persuaded the Institute for Advanced Study to create a permanent position for him the only such appointment ever granted for one of Einstein's collaborators. The Manuscript Calculations: Accompanying the letter is a two-page manuscript leaf containing Einstein's working calculations: trial expressions constraint conditions and variant formulations of the same type of semi-vector and spinor problems addressed in the letter. While we cannot confirm that these pages were originally enclosed with the letter they concern the same scientific material and have been preserved alongside it. Einstein manuscript leaves of this depth and technical significance-especially when tied to a known collaborative problem-are scarce. Significance: Whether or not originally sent together the letter and the calculations form a powerful and coherent scientific pair offering a rare view of Einstein actively working through equations testing ideas and relying on Mayer to verify mathematical structure. They capture Einstein at a critical inflection point in both his scientific life and personal circumstances as he prepared to leave Germany forever. --------- The letter from Einstein to Mayer reads in full translated from the original German: Dear Mr. Mayer! I believe I see a new possibility which promises success. It is along the lines of the recently devised way according to which one places zero on the right side of the Dirac-Equations. The novelty is in the fact that the constants a1 . a4 aside from a totally irrelevant factor are completely known without passing on to the specific Semi-Vectors. After omission of the _-terms the equations read Ee st ys = s 1 xe Or for De-Broglie-Equations of the restless particle E4 st ys = s 1a x4 Here is what's new: How does one choose the ay so that the De Broglie - Choices stay largely undetermined Result: The four equations 1a reduce themselves into a single one when and only when if one lets a1 = 1 a2 = 1 a3 = 1 a4 = 1 I believe that with this selection ay is for the equation describing the _-terms 1 the fitting substitute for the DeBroglie-Equation. These equations are already supplied by the simplest Hamilton function. See if the general equations 1 degenerate with this placing for a as well. If this were the case the whole thing would be useless. I leave on Saturday. A letter that is sent to Antwerp to the `Oakland' Hapag Antwerp harbor will reach me until December 13. Cordial greetings from your A. E. Autograph Letter Signed Written in German. One page 8.5 x 11 in.; 216 x 279 mm. probably Caputh near Potsdam Germany the location of Einstein's country home Sunday 4 December 1932. Scattered spotting affecting four words; usual folds. WITH: Two-page leaf of mathematical calculations. Housed together in decorated half-leather box by noted book artist Sjoerd Hofstra. np unknown books
1912réf. 3056np: np 1912. first edition. custom box. Very Good. ON THE ROAD TO RELATIVITY: A four-panel working bifolium from Einstein's early post-Minkowski tensor phase. A remarkable working sheet showing Einstein making tensor formalism physically operational for continuum mechanics. Across three working zones the manuscript moves from a formal four-dimensional tensor transformation identity written in a distinct unidentified hand to Einstein's own derivations involving Volumenkraft Druckkraft stress force density diagrammatic testing and a heavily underlined mechanical equilibrium result. The folded rotated format gives the sheet the character of a compact notebook in miniature: formal tensor language brought into contact with physical terms local force relations diagrams and repeated calculation. The manuscript's all-lower-index notation explicit summations in Einstein's hand mixed coordinate idiom second-hand tensor identity and visible effort to make tensor language mechanically operational point most naturally to the 1912-1913 Zurich tensor period when Einstein was absorbing the post-Minkowski mathematics that General Relativity would require. Later revisitations cannot be entirely excluded but they explain the sheet less naturally. A rare survival documenting Einstein's working method on one of the foundational matter-side problems on the road to General Relativity. EINSTEIN ALBERT. Autograph scientific manuscript unsigned and undated most plausibly 1912-1913. A four-panel working bifolium 330 × 210 mm open from Einstein's early post-Minkowski tensor period retained among his private research papers and annotated by Helen Dukas: "A.E.'s Handwriting H.D." Provenance: Sotheby's New York 26 June 1998; Jagdish Mehra. PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BENEATH THE IMAGES FOR A PDF CONTAINING THE FULL DESCRIPTION. np unknown books
1945réf. 617621Princeton New Jersey: Princeton University Press 1945. Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good. Second edition with a new appendix by Einstein and translated by Ernst G. Straus. Octavo. 135pp. Tiny owner name on front fly else fine in uniformly and modestly spine-toned very good dust jacket with nominal soiling. Princeton University Press hardcover books
2004réf. 1393704Norwalk CT: The Easton Press 2004. Collector's Editions. Hardcover. Octavos Four Volumes. Bound in brown genuine leather with bright gilt spine titles and gilt motifs on covers. Gilt text blocks. Paper endpapers silk ribbons. In publisher's shrinkwrap. MA consignment. Shelved above Easton Press. 1393704. Shelved Dupont Bookstore. The Easton Press hardcover books
1950réf. 617622New York: Philosophical Library 1950. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. First edition. Octavo. Fine in very slightly toned near fine dust jacket. Philosophical Library hardcover books
1943réf. NF0266RELATIVITY Privately published 1943 first edition a vg copy in flexible black leatherette. A seventy page treatise on energy as matter in motion culminating with the general law of relativity. Replete with many mathematical equations and forty-two figures. Privately published 1943 hardcover books
réf. 1412611Norwalk: The Easton Press CT. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo xii 166 pages. In Very Good condition. Bound in publisher's brown leather with paneling and gilt lettering to spine. Edges of text block gilt. Mild general shelf wear. Shelved in Easton Press. 1412611. Shelved Dupont Bookstore. The Easton Press hardcover books
1976réf. 1411777Washington: Library of Congress 1976. Hardcover. Quarto oblong 11 pages unpaged facsimile ca. 91 pages. In Very Good minus condition. Spine is black with gold print. Boards quarter bound with black cloth to spine and blue paper to boards; slight shelf wear. Illustrated: b&w facsimile. Oversized books. Additional postage necessary for expedited/international orders. Economy International shipping unavailable due to size/weight restrictions. For international/expedited customers please inquire for rates. NOTE: Shelved in Locked Annex Area Netdesk Column QB ND-QB. 1411777. FP New Rockville Stock. Library of Congress hardcover books
réf. MA06C-03367Pantheon Irodalmi Intezet. Used - Acceptable. Budapest: Pantheon Irodalmi Intezet 1922. 12mo hardcover. Rebound gray cloth with original front paper wrap bound in. 94pp. Hungarian. Fair book. Ex-Library copy from the New York Public Library with usual markings and pocket on front pastedown in Hungarian. Dampstaining and red paint flecks on front board. Upper corner dampstained throughout. Albert Einstein Theory of Relativity Books in Hungarian Inquire if you need further information. Pantheon Irodalmi Intezet hardcover books
réf. B34915-SCCambridge University Press. Collectible - Good. Great Britain: Cambridge at the Univ Press 1938. 1st UK 1st issue with gold lettering on spine and both endpapers present. Hardcover 12mo 319 pgs. Medium blue cloth gold gilt on spine. B/w plates and illustrations. Near very good book in a fair dust jacket. Corners and spine ends lightly bumped and worn. Contents clean and binding sound. Bookplate to front endpaper with writing in Latin name of Andrzei Falkiewicz written in and Alberto H R Ball Rectore at bottom edge. Jacket is edgeworn chipped and torn. Rear panel and spine are toned. Orig price 8s 6d on front flap. stem science physics Inquire if you need further information. Cambridge University Press hardcover books
1947réf. 222250New York: Dorset Press 1947. Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good. Second edition. Near fine in very good dust jacket. Slight spine lean. Dorset Press hardcover books
1961réf. 205945New York: Bonanza 1961. Hardcover. Reprint. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Bonanza hardcover books
1980réf. 134213New York: Lippincott & Crowell 1980. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. Very good in very good dust jacket. Book club. Hardcover and dust jacket lightly rubbed along spine ends and corners. Dustwrapper worn along edges. Lippincott & Crowell hardcover books
1905réf. 19259Leipzig: Johann Ambrosius Barth 1905. FIRST EDITION. Line-block and halftone text illustrations one folding table 3 halftone plates 1 collotype plate. Contemporary cloth-backed marbled boards title and date in gilt on spine; an excellent copy with the small stamp of the University of Basel on the fly-leaf preserved in a clamshell box. First edition journal issues of three important early papers by Einstein. In the first paper “Einstein suggested that light be considered a collection of independent particles of energy which he called ‘light quanta.’ Such a hypothesis he argued would provide an answer to the problem of black-body radiation where classical theories had failed and would also explain several puzzling properties of fluorescence photoionization and the photoelectric effect” Norman. It was for this paper together with one of the photoelectric effect “Zur theorie der Lichterzeugung und Lichtabsorption” published in 1906 that Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. The second paper proved according to Einstein himself that “according to the molecular theory of heat bodies of dimensions of the order of 1/1000 mm. suspended in liquid experience apparent random movement due to the thermal Brownian molecular movement quoted by R.W. Clark Einstein New York 1984 p. 87. Experimental verification of the predictions made in this paper contributed to proving the physical reality of molecules. The third paper on the electodynamics of moving bodies was Einstein’s first statement of the special theory of relativity. In it he argued that all motion is relative to the inertial system in which it is measured and that matter and energy are equivalent. As he himself remarked “it modifies the theory of space and time.” I: Weil 6; Norman 689; II: Weil 8 Norman 690; III: Weil 9 Dibner Heralds of Science 167; Grolier/Horblit 26b Norman 691A. Johann Ambrosius Barth unknown books
1971réf. 212282Princeton N.J.: Princeton University Press 1971. Hardcover. VG. Jackets and volumes are clean and unmarked. Jackets in mylar. Quarto Hardcover. Three volumes bound in burgundy cloth with gilt spine lettering; tan dust jackets with mylar covers. Illustrated title pages bw illustrations throughout each volume. Text in English songs in Italian with English text translations. Vol. 3 contains "Texts of songs revised and translated by Antonio Illiano and Howard E. Smither" and scores of 97 madrigals. Princeton University Press hardcover books
1931réf. 209587Berlin: Propyläen-Verlag 1931. Hardcover. VG: Wear to the edges and corners. Rubbing to the spine. Rubbing to the end pages. Stains to the inside corners of the end pages with no text or image affected. Some foxing to the margins of the pages and plates. Majority clean body pages and solid binding. A green casebound book with a blue fabric spine. There is gilt text and design on the spine. There is a gilt design on the front cover. Black textblocks. 660 pages; 60 plates total profusely illustrated with a good number of color tipped-in plates on heavy black pages with protective rice paper the remainders are black-and-white plates on heavy black paper. Text is in German. Contents are as follows: Henri Matisse -- Georges Rouault -- Henri Rousseau -- Andre Derain -- Amedeo Modigliani -- Roger de la Fresnaye -- Pablo Picasso -- Georges Braque -- Juan Gris -- Fernand Leger -- Andre Masson -- Joan Miro -- Gaston-Louis Roux -- Robert Delaunay -- Umberto Boccioni -- Gino Severini -- Carlo carra -- Giorgio de Chirico -- Emil Nolde -- Die Brucke -- Erich Heckel -- Max Pechstine -- Karl Schmidt-Rottluff -- Ernst Ludwig Kirchner -- Paula Modersohn-Becker -- Carl Hofer -- Lyonel Feininger -- Oskar Kokoschka -- George Grosz -- Max Beckmann -- Otto Dix -- Marc Chagall -- Konstruktivisten -- Franz Marc -- Wassilij Kandinsky -- Paul Klee -- GFranzosen Spanier Italiener -- Deutsche Russen Hollander Ungarn Plastik. Propyläen-Verlag hardcover books
1926réf. 210542Berlin: Propylaen-Verlag 1926. Hardcover. VG. High quality rebinding and interior is clean and unmarked. Quarto. Hardcover. Rebound in green cloth with gilt titles. 576 pages illustrations some color. French text. Text is in German. Contents are as follows: Henri Matisse -- Georges Rouault -- Henri Rousseau -- Andre Derain -- Amedeo Modigliani -- Roger de la Fresnaye -- Pablo Picasso -- Georges Braque -- Juan Gris -- Fernand Leger -- Andre Masson -- Joan Miro -- Gaston-Louis Roux -- Robert Delaunay -- Umberto Boccioni -- Gino Severini -- Carlo carra -- Giorgio de Chirico -- Emil Nolde -- Die Brucke -- Erich Heckel -- Max Pechstine -- Karl Schmidt-Rottluff -- Ernst Ludwig Kirchner -- Paula Modersohn-Becker -- Carl Hofer -- Lyonel Feininger -- Oskar Kokoschka -- George Grosz -- Max Beckmann -- Otto Dix -- Marc Chagall -- Konstruktivisten -- Franz Marc -- Wassilij Kandinsky -- Paul Klee -- GFranzosen Spanier Italiener -- Deutsche Russen Hollander Ungarn Plastik. Propylaen-Verlag hardcover books
