LOT #25327 |
Sold on Apr 16, 2007 for: $33,460.00
Albert Einstein Highly Important Pair of Typed Letters Signed to Jean Becquerel. "A. Einstein", August 16, 1951, 4pp., 8... (Total: 6 )
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Sold on Apr 16, 2007 for:
$33,460.00
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Description
Albert Einstein Highly Important Pair of Typed Letters Signed to Jean Becquerel. "A. Einstein", August 16, 1951, 4pp., 8.5" x 11" with holographic emendations and formulas in ink, and August 29, 1951, 2pp. (rectos only), 8.5" x 11" with similar notations in ink and pencil translations in the recipient's hand. On the imprinted stationary of the School of Mathematics, The Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey, to the physicist Jean Becquerel (1878-1953), in German with translation. The letters are published in French, in Albert Einstein Correspondances Francaises (Edition du Seuil, 1989).Certain that, "there no longer are any contradictors where the theory of special relativity is concerned," Becquerel writes to Einstein (this and the other Becquerel letters quoted are present in copies) on August 9, 1951 about the, "physicists who do not wish to accept, without reservations even the theory of gravity. I have undertaken to point out their errors and to respond to there objections." As one of Becquerel's colleagues remains unconvinced, he has, "prepared a new paper," and, "...would be grateful...if you would give me your opinion. I shall not publish it until I have received your approval."
Becquerel's second letter to Einstein, on August 13th stating that, "Our report is based only on special relativity, and on incontestable facts," evokes a cordial, yet very detailed response from Einstein: "...If possible, I would answer you in French but my meager knowledge of that language has been hopelessly supplanted by the daily struggle with English and therefore only the German stepmother language remains for communication, much to my regret. ...Regarding your problem, I am not quite sure whether I understand it correctly...You mention only that your correspondent finds the special theory of relativity correct but not the general theory of relativity. In that case I cannot comprehend how the man could profess to be convinced by your interpretation...I, too, cannot understand these statements, but instead of explaining these particulars I would rather tell you what, in my opinion, is of importance." That, Einstein does, in great detail. All items are very fine and housed in a brown full Moroccan leather case.
Auction Info
2007 April Books, Manuscripts & Autographs Grand Format Auction #658 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2007
16th-17th
Monday-Tuesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 6
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