Lot 38
Lot 38
Further work on the quantum problem

Berlin, 5 June 1925

Price Realised USD 18,750
Estimate
USD 5,000 - USD 8,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
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Further work on the quantum problem

Berlin, 5 June 1925

Price Realised USD 18,750
Register
Price Realised USD 18,750
Register
Details
Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed (‘Albert’) to Michele Besso, Berlin, 5 June 1925.

In German, one page, 280 x 220mm. Envelope.

Please note this lot is the property of a private consignor.
Literature
Published in Pierre Speziali (ed.) Albert Einstein. Michele Besso. Correspondance 1903-1955. Paris: Hermann, 1972. No. 74
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Lot Essay



Further work on the quantum problem, and on the great potential of Jewish unification.

'I am firmly convinced that all the Weyl-Eddington-Schouten chain of reasoning leads to nothing physically useful and have now found another track, which is more physically founded. The quantum problem seems to me to require something like a special scalar, for whose introduction I have found a plausible path. Otherwise I have worked out and further established a quantum theory of ideal gases, which now seems confirmed in the results'.

Einstein returned on 1 June from a journey to South America, which was fun ('eine grosse Hetz') but without much interest, although it at least offered a few weeks of peace and quiet during the sea crossings. He may come to Switzerland for a League of Nations meeting, although he expresses renewed scepticism about the efficacy of the organisation. His visit to the Americas has at least convinced him of the qualities of Europeans: his trip has exposed him to people 'free of prejudices, but for the most part hollow and uninteresting ... Wherever I go I am received with enthusiasm by the Jews, as I am for them a sort of symbol of collaboration between Jews. I take great pleasure in this, as I expect great things from the united efforts of the Jews'.

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Condition report

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