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John von Neumann (/vɒn ˈnɔɪmən/; Hungarian: Neumann János Lajos, pronounced [ˈnɒjmɒn ˈjaːnoʃ ˈlɒjoʃ]; December 28, 1903 – February 8, 1957) was a Hungarian-American mathematician, physicist, computer scientist and engineer. Von Neumann was regarded as perhaps the mathematician with the widest coverage of the subject in his time and was said to have been “the last representative of the great mathematicians who were equally at home in pure and applied mathematics”. He integrated pure and applied sciences.
Herman Heine Goldstine (September 13, 1913 – June 16, 2004) was a mathematician and computer scientist, who worked as the director of the IAS machine at Princeton University’s Institute for Advanced Study, and helped to develop ENIAC, the first of the modern electronic digital computers. He subsequently worked for many years at IBM as an IBM Fellow, the company’s most prestigious technical position.
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The 1963 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to physiologist Alan Lloyd Hodgkin for establishing the propagation mechanism of nerve impulses called action potentials — consequently helping to understand the mechanism behind disorders such as multiple sclerosis, seizures and Parkinson’s disease. Hodgkin is also responsible for identifying the Hodgkin Cycle and, along with colleagues Andrew Fielding Huxley and John Carew Eccles, hypothesized the existence of ion channels on cell membranes, a concept which took over 20 years to confirm; that confirmation earned Erwin Neher and Bert Sakmann the 1991 Nobel Prize. This Nobel Prize medal is made of 23k gold and features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features the words, ”INVENTAS VITAM JUVAT EXCOLUISSE PER ARTES”, which translates from Latin to, ”Inventions enhance life which is beautified through art”. A.L. Hodgkin’s name and the year 1963 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief, framed by the words, ”REG. UNIVERSITAS MED-CHIR-CAROL”. On the right side is the name ”E LINDBERG”, who designed the prize. Comes with 6 original photographs of Hodgkin (at least 4 of which are from the ceremony in Oslo on 10 December 1963), a New York Times article on Hodgkin dated 18 October 1963, a portion of a 1976 issue of ”The Journal of Physiology” featuring an essay by Hodgkin, and the official 1963 English edition of the Nobel Prize publication, featuring Hodgkin and partner Huxley on the cover. Medal is housed in the maroon leather presentation box with a white satin lining and Hodgkin’s name printed on the front. Box measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Medal measures 6.5 cm or 2.56” in diameter, and weighs 196 g or 6.9 oz, consistent with the original Nobel Prizes awarded in 1963. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from the daughter of Dr. Alan Hodgkin. Sold for $795,614.
The 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to particle physicist Leon Lederman for his discovery of the muon neutrino, a particle 200 times the size of an electron. Lederman, along with colleagues Melvin Schwartz and Jack Steinberger, found the muon neutrino in 1962 while using a high energy particle accelerator. They discovered that in some cases a muon (rather than an electron) was produced, illuminating the existence of a new atomic particle. Lederman was also instrumental in the discovery of the bottom quark in 1977, and was the champion of the Superconducting Super Collider. His popular 1993 book ”The God Particle: If the Universe is The Answer, What is The Question” was released to critical acclaim. This Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24k gold, as were all Nobel Prize medals awarded after 1980. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Lederman’s name and 1988 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the two women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Housed in the original red leather case with Leon Lederman’s name gilt stamped. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter, consistent with the original Nobel Prize awarded in 1988. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Presented in near fine condition, and with an LOA from Leon Lederman. Sold for $765,002.
Nobel Prize Won by Walter Kohn, One of the Children Saved by Kindertransport During World War II
Nobel Prize in Chemistry won by Walter Kohn in 1998, unique not only for the scientific impact of Kohn’s work, but also for his life experience as one of the children rescued from Nazi-occupied territories in World War II through the Kindertransport program. Kindertransport was established by the United Kingdom in 1938 immediately after the ”Night of Broken Glass” pogrom in Germany, authorizing the safe passage of almost 10,000 children into the UK. The children were placed in homes throughout the British empire, with Kohn ultimately finding a home in Canada after both his parents were killed in the Holocaust. In addition to his Nobel Prize, lot also includes three science books that Kohn purchased at the temporary internment camp in Canada, all still housed in their well-worn homemade dust jackets: ”A Course of Pure Mathematics”, ”Dent’s Modern Science Series”, and ”Properties of Matter”.
The books are a foreshadowing to the incredible achievements that Kohn made to the world through his Nobel Prize-winning work. As the architect of density functional theory (DFT), Kohn devised the computational quantum mechanical modelling system that has allowed scientists to understand the nuclear structure of microscopic matter. Though the underlying structure of NFT is complex, the actual equations are now commonplace among scientists, with countless practical results deriving from it – from discovering trace impurities in chemicals to modeling planetary systems.
Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1998 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Reverse features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Kohn’s name and 1998 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the two women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, who designed the Nobel medal. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Near fine condition. With an LOA from the Kohn family. Sold for $457,531.
The 1927 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to Dr. Heinrich Otto Wieland, considered the father of modern biochemistry. This Nobel is the only Prize in Chemistry to ever be auctioned. Wieland spent his life’s work investigating the oxidation processes in living cells, and has been credited with unifying the disciplines of organic chemistry and biochemistry, which had been split since the work of chemist Justus von Liebig in the 1870’s. Wieland’s research into bile acid was used as the basis for the manufacture of drugs for the treatment of a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases, underpinning his recognition as the founder of modern biochemistry. As a result of his groundbreaking work in the field of chemistry, the Heinrich Wieland Prize was established and endowed in his honor in 1964, awarded to leading scientists for their work in the fields of biochemistry, chemistry and physiology, and counting four Nobel Laureates among its recipients. Wieland was also a strident opponent of the Nazi party; he employed and hid several Jews and supporters of the White Rose Nazi resistance movement in his laboratory at the University of Munich, which was given the nickname ”The Ghetto Room”. Wieland even courageously defended his student Hans Leipelt in court, who was convicted for collecting money for the widow of Kurt Huber, Wieland’s colleague who moonlighted as a White Rose resistance leader. Huber and Leipelt were both tried and executed in 1943. This Nobel Prize is made of 23kt gold and features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Wieland’s name and 1928 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the two women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, who designed the Nobel medal. Medal is housed in a green leather box with a pale blue felt bottom and white satin lining. Box measures 5” x 5”. Medal measures 66 mm or 2.5” in diameter, and weighs 206 g or 7.25 oz, consistent with the original Nobel Prizes awarded in 1928. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from the consignor, Dr. Heinrich Wieland’s grandson. Sold for $395,000.
The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, awarded in 1971 to influential economist Simon Kuznets, inventor of the Kuznets Curve in 1955. Kuznets is credited with inventing a quantitative method for correlating per capita income to economic inequality over time, as a country’s economic growth matures. In the ceremony on 11 December 1971, the Nobel Prize committee awarded Kuznets the Nobel Prize for his ”empirically founded interpretation of economic growth which has led to new and deepened insight into the economic and social structure and process of development”. 23K gold medal prominently bears the image of Alfred Nobel upon the obverse, with ”Sveriges Riksbank Till Alfred Nobels Minne 1968” applied in raised letters, encircling the medal. ”Simon Kuznets 1971” is engraved to the rim, and the medal’s reverse contains the north star emblem of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, with the phrase ”Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien” applied. Housed in the original red leather case with Kuznets’ name gilt stamped. Medal weighs 7.25 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter, consistent with the original Nobel Prizes awarded in 1971. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Accompanied by a copy of the Nobel Prize speech owned and annotated by Kuznets. This is the sixth Nobel Prize ever sold at auction, and the first in the category of Economic Sciences. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from the consignor, Simon Kuznets’ son. Sold for $390,848.
Outstanding Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to E. Donnall Thomas for his use of bone marrow transplants to treat leukemia and other blood cancers. Awarded the Nobel Prize in 1990, Thomas first published his theory on BMT treatments in ”The New England Journal of Medicine” in 1957, and then worked methodically throughout the 1960s and 70s to turn the theory into a clinical treatment, despite it being dismissed at the time as implausible and experimental. In the latter half of the 20th century, the treatment slowly gained acceptance, with approximately 60,000 transplants now occurring each year, bringing the survival rate for some cancers from zero to near 90%. Bone marrow transplants are now considered one of the greatest success stories in cancer treatment.
Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1990 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of a woman representing the Genius of Medicine, holding a book in her lap, as she collects water to nourish a girl. Encircling the medal are the words ”INVENTAS VITAM JUVAT EXCOLUISSE PER ARTES”, which translates from Latin to ”The benefits of improved life through discovered arts”. Thomas’ name and 1990 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque framed by the words ”REG UNIVERSITAS MED-CHIR CAROL”, representing the Karolinska Institute that awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Minor soiling to reverse, overall in near fine condition. With an LOA from the Thomas family. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Sold for $312,500.
The 1980 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to George D. Snell for his scientific discovery that directly led to saving lives through organ transplantation. Snell – known as the Father of Immunogenetics, won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the major histocompatibility complex, or MHC, the genetic foundation of a body’s immunological response to tissue and organ transplants, determining whether an organ is accepted by the body or rejected as a foreign invader. Prior to Snell’s work, organ transplantation was entirely dependent on chance as to whether a genetic match would allow an organ to be accepted; afterwards, the only impediment was the availability of organs. Nearly 150,000 organ transplants are now performed each year, with millions of lives over the course of 40 years saved as a result.
Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1980 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of a woman representing the Genius of Medicine, holding a book in her lap, as she collects water to nourish a girl. Encircling the medal are the words ”INVENTAS VITAM JUVAT EXCOLUISSE PER ARTES”, which translates from Latin to “The benefits of improved life through discovered arts”. Snell’s name and 1980 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque framed by the words “REG UNIVERSITAS MED-CHIR CAROL”, representing the Karolinska Institute that awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Presented in fine condition. With an LOA from George Snell’s son. Sold for $275,000.
Nobel Prize Awarded to Scientist Hans Krebs in 1953, Won for His Discovery of the Famous Krebs Cycle — With Krebs’ Nobel Prize Diploma
The 1953 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to physician and biochemist Hans Krebs for the discovery of the citric acid cycle (later named the Krebs cycle) and the urea cycle, the metabolic process by which all multi-cellular organisms convert food into energy. This Nobel Prize medal is made of 23k gold and features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features the words, ”INVENTAS VITAM JUVAT EXCOLUISSE PER ARTES”, which translates from Latin to, ”Inventions enhance life which is beautified through art”. H.A. Krebs’ name and the year 1953 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief, framed by the words, ”REG. UNIVERSITAS MED-CHIR-CAROL”. On the right side is the name ”E LINDBERG”, who designed the prize. Comes with the Nobel Prize diploma which contains calligraphy printed on 2 vellum sheets, with signatures from 29 members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science, housed in a beautiful blue case with Krebs’ initials “HAK” printed in gilt; sheets each measure 13.5″ x 19.5″. Medal is housed in the 5.5″ square red leather presentation box with Krebs’ name printed on the front. Medal measures 6.5 cm or 2.56” in diameter, and weighs 196 g or 6.9 oz, consistent with the original Nobel Prizes awarded in 1953. Presented in near fine condition. Sold for $269,000.
The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, awarded in 2005 to Thomas C. Schelling, the foremost expert on game theory as it applies to nuclear weaponry and international relations, and whose theory is particularly relevant now. Schelling is famously credited with the concept of ”uncertain retaliation”, expressed in his 1960 book, ”The Strategy of Conflict”, in which he argued that unpredictability, a higher tolerance for risk, and a willingness to feign irrationality in decision making can lead, if performed correctly, to a superior position over one’s opponents — especially with nuclear weapons. This so-called ”Madman Theory” was used by Richard Nixon in his negotiations with the Soviet Union and North Vietnam, and many experts have stated that both Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are currently using the strategy in negotiating with each other. Schelling was also one of the “founding fathers” of the modern, leadership-oriented John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, and made wide-ranging policy contributions helping to curtail smoking, confront racial segregation, and address climate change.
Nobel medal, made of 18K gold, prominently bears the image of Alfred Nobel upon the obverse, with ”Sveriges Riksbank Till Alfred Nobels Minne 1968” applied in raised letters, encircling the medal. ”T.C. SCHELLING MMV” is engraved to the rim, and the medal’s reverse contains the north star emblem of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, with the phrase ”Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien” applied. Housed in the original red leather case with Schelling’s name gilt stamped, and also accompanied by the original Nobel Prize certificate awarded to Schelling. Medal weighs 6 oz. and measures 2.625” in diameter, consistent with the Nobel Prizes awarded in 2005. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1.25”. Certificate is housed in custom leather portfolio, then housed in suede-lined clamshell case measuring 9.75” x 14.75”, beautifully accented with Schelling’s initials in calligraphy. All items are presented in near fine condition. The proceeds from the sale of this auction will be donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center, consistent with the wishes of Thomas Schelling. Sold for $187,500.
Nobel Prize Awarded to Physicist Kenneth G. Wilson in 1982 — One of the Kingpins of Quantum Physics
The 1982 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to theoretical physicist Kenneth G. Wilson for his work in understanding the ”critical point” of phase transitions – the exact point at which matter transitions to another state, such as when a solid become liquid. Wilson’s work was subsequently applied to quantum mechanics, where he is considered a pioneer who laid the theoretical groundwork for today’s quantum physicists. Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1982 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Wilson’s name and 1982 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the 2 women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Housed in the original red leather case with Kenneth G. Wilson’s name gilt stamped. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from Kenneth Wilson’s widow. Sold for $118,750.
Albert Einstein typed letter signed during World War II, with moving content regarding helping Jewish refugees. Dated 10 June 1939 on his personal embossed letterhead from Princeton, Einstein writes to Dr. Maurice Lenz who worked on ”behalf of the refugees during Dedication Week.” Einstein continues, ”…The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years has been based to a large extent on traditions of mutual helpfulness. In these years of affliction our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test. May we stand this test as well as did our fathers before us.
We have no other means of self-defense than our solidarity and our knowledge that the cause for which we are suffering is a momentous and sacred cause.
It must be a source of deep gratification to you to be making so important a contribution toward rescuing our persecuted fellow-Jews from their calamitous peril and leading them toward a better future…[signed] A. Einstein”.
Single page letter measures 8.5” x 11”. Folds and light creasing, otherwise near fine condition. Accompanied by Einstein’s embossed mailing envelope, postmarked Princeton on 12 June 1939. Sold for $134,344.
The Most Famous Photo of Albert Einstein, Playfully Sticking Out His Tongue — Extraordinarily Rare as Signed by Einstein
Very rare photo signed by Albert Einstein, on the occasion of the Nobel Prize winner playfully sticking out his tongue to a group of photographers on his 72nd birthday. Photo was snapped on 14 March 1951 by Arthur Sasse, a UPI photographer whose employers were at first hesitant about publishing the iconoclastic image of Einstein; when they did, Einstein was so amused by it that he ordered several prints to give out to close friends. This image is unlike most which crop the photo to show only Einstein. Here, the photo is shown in its full context with Einstein seated between Dr. Frank Aydelotte, head of the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton, and Aydelotte’s wife, after celebrating his birthday at the Princeton Club. Photo is signed along the left margin ”A. Einstein .51”, indicating he signed the image shortly after it was taken. Photo measures 7” x 10”. Very good to near fine condition. Extraordinarily rare photo signed by Einstein, the most famous and beloved image of him. Sold for $125,000.
Nobel Prize Awarded to Physicist Kenneth G. Wilson in 1982 — One of the Kingpins of Quantum Physics
The 1982 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to theoretical physicist Kenneth G. Wilson for his work in understanding the ”critical point” of phase transitions – the exact point at which matter transitions to another state, such as when a solid become liquid. Wilson’s work was subsequently applied to quantum mechanics, where he is considered a pioneer who laid the theoretical groundwork for today’s quantum physicists. Nobel Prize is made of 18kt gold, plated in 24kt gold, consistent with the 1982 medals. Medal features the relief portrait of Alfred Nobel to front, with his name and the years of his birth and death. Verso features a relief of the Goddess Isis, whose veil is held up by a woman who represents the genius of science. Encircling the medal are the words ”Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per artes”, translating to ”And they who bettered life on earth by their newly found mastery”. Wilson’s name and 1982 in Roman numerals are engraved on a plaque below the relief of the 2 women, with ”Reg. Acad. Scient. Suec.” also written, an abbreviation for The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Etched upon the medal is the name of Erik Lindberg, designer of the Nobel medal. Housed in the original red leather case with Kenneth G. Wilson’s name gilt stamped. Medal weighs 173 grams or just over 6 oz. and measures 2.5” in diameter. Case measures 5.5” x 5.5” x 1”. Presented in near fine condition. With an LOA from Kenneth Wilson’s widow. Sold for $118,750.
Charles Darwin On the Origin of Species 1st Edition
First edition, first printing of “On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin, one of the most important books in the scientific canon. London: John Murray, 1859. In this revolutionary book that upended man’s own view of himself, Darwin posits natural selection as the engine driving species’ evolution, an argument so persuasive that even 19th century religious leaders adjusted their teachings to allow for evolution to work in concert with divine planning. Its importance has only grown in the 150+ years since publication, with Freeman concluding it to be “the most important biological book ever written”. First released on 24 November 1859, its scarcity nearly matches its importance, with the first printing consisting of only 1,250 copies, and the number of extant copies now significantly fewer.
All first printing points are present, including original binding, variant B, title page with copyright information on verso, Table of Contents (pages v-ix) with binder instructions to verso, complete pages 1-502, and folding table present between pages 116-117. Bound in publisher’s full green boards, stamped and lettered in gilt. Overall in very good condition; ads at back of volume have been removed as has half-title page, and endpapers have been replaced. Volume is rebacked using morocco, with original spine laid down. Some shelf wear to boards. Light foxing throughout book, with some chipping, small closed tears with repairs to a few pages, and a few dogeared pages. One small mark on page 109, otherwise no internal writing or marks. Housed in a custom quarter-leather clamshell box. Overall in very good condition, a handsome, presentable copy of this scarce first printing. Sold for $68,250.
Albert Einstein letter signed with his hand drawings, elegantly explaining his electrostatic theory of special relativity to a physics teacher struggling to reconcile it with experiments he was conducting. In addition to the letter, which is new to the market, Einstein generously replies to a series of questions the teacher asks him on a questionnaire, providing additional drawings and calculations, initialed ”A.E.” at the conclusion. Dated 4 September 1953 on Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study letterhead, Einstein writes to Arthur L. Converse, the teacher from Malcolm, Iowa, in part, ”There is no difficulty to explain your present experiment on the basis of the usual electrostatic theory. One has only to assume that there is a difference of potential between the body of the earth and higher layers of the atmosphere, the earth being negative relatively to those higher layers…[Einstein then draws Earth and the atmosphere, referring to it for clarification] The electric potential p rises linearly with the distance h from the surface of the earth…For all your experiments the following question is relevant: How big is the electric charge produced on a conductor which is situated in a certain height h, this body being connected with the earth…” Einstein then answers Converse’s questions on a two-page questionnaire. In one answer, Einstein seems to disagree with the question, providing both a diagram and mathematical equation and then a ”?” to try to aid understanding. He later writes ”not clear” to one answer along with a question mark and additional diagram with the notation ”charge of elektroscope increased proportional to h”. An extraordinary lot by Einstein showing the generosity of his time, with rare content on his theory of special relativity. Single page letter and two-page questionnaire each measures 8.5” x 11”. Also included is Einstein’s original mailing envelope from ”Room 115” of the Institute for Advanced Study, postmarked 7 September 1953 from Princeton. Folds and very light toning to letter, otherwise near fine. Questionnaire has folds, light toning and staple mark, otherwise near fine with bold handwriting by Einstein. With an LOA from the nephew of Arthur Converse and new to the market. Sold for $53,504.
Albert Einstein Autograph Letter Signed on God & Unified Field Theory, With Mathematical Equations in His Hand Regarding the Theory — “…It is devilishly difficult to get closer to ‘Him’…”
Albert Einstein autograph letter signed in April 1950, shortly after his article “On the Generalized Theory of Gravitation” appeared in “Scientific American”. Einstein replies to a letter from his closest friend, Michele Besso, with wide-ranging content spanning the spiritual (even referencing God as “Him”) to his Unified Field Theory, with equations from the theory in his hand (“A certain mathematical question has occupied me lately”) that he believes neutralizes his critics. Einstein also takes aim at quantum physicists (“there is no such thing as a ‘particle’ in the strictest meaning of the word”) and even tackles the tricky issue of knowledge itself (“no guarantee that it will ever be possible to know whether the theory is ‘true.’”). At the age of 71, Einstein is seeking to augment his Unified Field Theory, creating an umbrella theory for Special Relativity and Gravity, and seems frustrated that “contemporary physicists” appear content with theoretical abstractions without proving the equations underpinning them. In fact, he predicts that they will eventually see the need for evidence: “they clearly have the right to condemn my method as unproductive. But it will not be like that in the long run. They will see, very slowly, that you cannot get closer in depth to things with the quasi-empirical method.”
Two page letter on 8.5″ x 11″ sheet is near fine and accompanied by original envelope postmarked from Princeton on 16 April 1950. Also accompanied by a four page reply letter from Besso, with complete translation for both letters. Sold for $36,628.
Unusually personal and autobiographical Sigmund Freud autograph letter signed, with content on Freud’s Jewish heritage and ancestry, the growth of psychoanalysis and the ”intense type of rejection” of it by psychiatrists, his marriage and children, and his professional writings and honorary degree; in essence, the whole of Freud’s life and career, as told in his own words. The content is especially important and unusual as Freud kept tight control over his autobiography, with this letter likely the most comprehensive detailing of it. He writes to fellow psychoanalyst Dr. Paul Federn, one of Freud’s earliest proteges, with Freud even dryly commenting in the beginning of his letter that his reluctance to answer Federn’s correspondence (by misplacing it) was ”most likely as a consequence of my resistance”. Dated 30 June 1913 upon his personal stationery from his home in Vienna, four-page letter reads in part,
”For several months, your communication of 04/21 had made itself untraceable – most likely as a consequence of my resistance…I was born on the 6th of May [18]56 in Freiberg /Moravia. My father and mother came from Galicia. My mother, nee Nathansohn, from Brody, of very distinguished ancestry (the Nathansohn – Kallir family), my father of the merchant class. According to tradition, as he once reported to me, the Freud family is said to sometime have left their hometown of Köln [Cologne] during a period of persecution of Jews and then to have migrated eastward…
Four page letter on two sheets, in German, measures 8.25” x 10.75”. Separations starting along folds and small amount of chipping to edges. Overall in very good condition. With full translation, and with two transmittal envelopes to Dr. Federn, both in Freud’s hand. Sold for $25,000.
The Enrico Fermi Award presented to Nobel Prize-winning physicist Leon Lederman in 1992. The Fermi Award, first given in 1956, honors scientists from around the world for their lifetime achievements, with many of the recipients also winning Nobel Prizes. Medal features a relief portrait of Enrico Fermi, with his name and the years of his birth and death. ”SCIENTIA PROGRESSUS” is also engraved on front, which translates from Latin to ”the progress of science”. Verso reads: ”PRESENTED TO / LEON LEDERMAN / FOR ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT, USE, OR CONTROL OF ATOMIC ENERGY / 1992” and is framed by the words, ”DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”. Gold-plated medal weighs 324 grams or 11.4 ounces, and measures 3” in diameter. Case measures 5.25” x 5.25” x 1.5”. Very small mark on front of medal on Fermi’s lapel. Near fine condition. With an LOA by Leon Lederman. Sold for $25,000.
Rare First Edition of Sir Isaac Newton’s ”The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy” — Two Volume Set From 1729
Rare Sir Isaac Newton first edition ”The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy” in two volumes. London: Benjamin Motte, 1729. One of the most important works by the leading mind of the 18th century scientific revolution. Bound in contemporary tree calf, sympathetically rebacked, with gilt tooling to spines. Two octavo volumes measure 5.5” x 8.5” each. Volumes contain two folding letterpress tables and 47 folding engraved plates; the two frontispieces and pp. 385-393 and first 7pp. of index are replaced in facsimile, but hardly distinguishable from the original. The ”Laws of Moon’s Motion” usually found in Vol. II are here bound at end of Vol. I, and with errata for both volumes on verso of E4. Small stain to inner part of title in Vol. I, short tear to lower margin of G1, small section missing from lower margin of M3 and with lower corner cut away of A8 and C4 of ”Laws of Moon’s Motion” (no loss of text). Some marginal dampstaining and occasional soiling and spotting, overall in very good, clean condition with most edges untrimmed. Excellent Isaac Newton first edition. Sold for $22,500.
Charles Darwin autograph letter signed with evolution related content written shortly after ”On the Origin of Species” was published. Dated 16 August (1860 or 1861), Darwin writes to his second cousin William Darwin Fox, who introduced Charles Darwin to entomology. Upon Down, Kent stationery, Darwin writes in part, ”…you had seen a dozen instances of white cats with blue eyes being deaf: how can you by an extraordinary chance remember the sex of any of them…C. Darwin”. Fox’s reply to Darwin, giving additional details on the white, blue-eyed, blind cats, is archived in the Darwin Correspondence Project. Single page letter measures 5” x 8”, with an engraving of Darwin measuring 5.5” x 8”. Uniform toning, mounting tape remnants and writing at top not in Darwin’s hand, overall very good condition. Sold for $15,000.
Tractado de las drogas, y medicinas de las Indias Orien
Cristóvão da Costa or Cristóbal Acosta and Latinized as Christophorus Acosta Africanus (c. 1525 – c. 1594) was a Portuguese doctor and natural historian. He is considered a pioneer in the study of plants from the Orient, especially their use in pharmacology. Together with the apothecary Tomé Pires and the physician Garcia de Orta he was one of the pioneers of Indo-Portuguese medicine.
Rare 1578 first edition of “Tractado de las drogas, y medicinas de las Indias Orientales” (“Treatise of the drugs and medicines of the East Indies”) by physician and naturalist Cristobal Acosta. Burgos, Spain: Martin de Victoria, 1578. Bound in original vellum boards with leather ties, rare volume is complete with all woodcuts: title page featuring a portrait of the author, 45 pages of medicinal plants and herbs, and two pages of Asian elephants. Book also features woodcut initials heading each chapter. Acosta’s tomb of therapeutic botany was highly important in its day, giving illustration to exotic plants, animals, herbs and spices from the East Indies during the Age of Exploration, including cinnamon, garlic, nutmeg, coconut, sandalwood, and pineapple, all relatively unknown to Europe at the time. There is even a chapter on opium (“muy usual, y necessaria”), and a chapter on Asian elephants, then described for the first time in a scientific publication. Book measures 5.5″ x 7.375″. Some faint dampstaining, worming to several pages towards the end, and expected age wear. Overall very good plus condition. Sold for $3,900.
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Harvey Cushing / W. Osler Signed Rare Book
Well-known 19th century French surgeon, Alfred-Armand-Louis-Marie Velpeau’s, “A Treatise on The Diseases of the Breast and Mammory Region.” London: Printed for the Sydenham Society: 1756. Rare book translated from French by Mitchell Henry. Dedicated from esteemed diagnostician Sir William Osler to Harvey Cushing. Cushing, mentored by Osler, won the 1926 Pulitzer Prize for his book on Osler. He passed the edition onto successor Elliot Cutler, who forwarded it to Richard Warren. All were Harvard doctors. Rare Osler-to-Cushing dedication. Sold for $1,353.
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