LOT #47009 |
Sold on Dec 15, 2023 for: Not Sold
Albert Einstein Heavily Annotated Letter on the Subject of his Theory of Generalized Gravitation Together with a Typed Letter ... (Total: 2 Items)
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Description
Einstein Responds to a College Student's Notion that his Theory of Generalized Gravitation "provides an accurate description of all possible physical facts" by Writing, "this is what I hope for"
Albert Einstein Heavily Annotated Letter on the Subject of his
Theory of Generalized Gravitation Together with a Typed Letter
Signed. A five-page letter (8 1/2 x 11 inches) addressed to
Einstein dated October 7, 1952 from Daniel Lipkin on the subject of
space-time heavily annotated in the margins and concluding with a
nine line autograph statement by Einstein signed with his initials.
Together with a one-page Typed Letter Signed "A. Einstein"
dated October 13, 1952 transmitting the letter with marginal
notes.Lipkin writes a lengthy letter on his understanding of Einstein's Theory of Generalized Gravitation and the famous scientist annotates it as though it were a graded term paper. Although Einstein responds positively to some of Lipkin's assertions, the renowned scientist corrects the majority of Lipkin's statements, suggesting that the eager college student did not have as firm a grasp on the theory's rational math as he thought.
Lipkin writes, in part, "If one now gives the title 'Space' to the purely mathematical coordinate-space of four dimensions which is used in the description of the generally-covariant field-theories and gives the title 'Matter' to the metric field, it would appear as if there still exists, in this sense, a sharp distinction between 'Space' and 'Matter.'" To which, Einstein responds with a resounding, "No!"
Likewise, when Lipkin asserts that the metric field is unable to exert influence on hypothetical coordinate systems, Einstein comments, "space is nothing by itself but only the dimensionality of the field." He does, however, affirm Lipkin's idea that "the Theory of Generalized Gravitation provides an accurate description of all possible physical facts" by writing, "this is what I hope for."
At the end of Lipkin's letter, Einstein offers more detailed comments in German. Translated into English, his statement reads, "I can imagine that the [metric] field could be understood as a hyper-complex number, which appears as a function of another (different) hyper-complex number (which would represent the 'coordinate space'). But I wonder whether it would be possible to arrive at a system that could give expression to the general covariance. The theory of complex functions (two-dimensional) does not seem to me to offer any analogy, because [included equation] is not a general covariant equation." Einstein signs the statement with his initials, "A.E."
The annotated letter is a unique offering in which Einstein expounds on a mathematical topic of central importance to his work. One of the fundamental components of his theory of relativity, Einstein concluded that gravity was the result of distortions in space-time caused by mass and energy. By the 1950s, it became a critical aspect of his ongoing research into Unified Field Theory, which attempted to align all fundamental forces and their relationships within a single theoretical framework. Despite ongoing health issues, Einstein worked tirelessly to prove his theory.
Einstein returns Lipkin's letter with a brief TLS written on Princeton School of Mathematics Institute for Advanced Study letterhead with original transmittal cover, 5 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. It reads, "enclosed I am returning your letter with some marginal notes."
Einstein had served as a faculty member at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study's faculty members since the 1930s. Through his patronage, the Institute became one of the most famous research institutions in the world. Written within the last three years of his life, this letter captures Einstein's willingness to engage with the next generation of students and mathematicians as his career came to a close.
Condition: Both letters are creased along folds and very lightly toned, scattered soiling.
Auction Info
2023 December 15 Historical Platinum Session Signature® Auction #6280 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2023
15th
Friday
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