[Stephen Hawking (1942-2018)].

Artist's proof, Stephen Hawking’s Time Travellers Invitation, October 2013.

508 x 406mm. Hand-pulled letterpress print, printed at New North Press, London on a Victorian ‘Albion’ press. Artist's proof number 2 of 5, published by KITE. Framed (555 x 450mm). Provenance: the estate of the late Professor Stephen Hawking.

In 2009, Stephen Hawking conducted an important experiment. His aim: to determine whether time travel is possible. He held a Reception for Time Travellers – the details of which are given here – but the invitation was not shared publicly until after the fact, a beautifully simple way to ensure that only time-travellers would be able to attend. Of this Invitation, he said: ‘I'm hoping copies of it in one form or another will survive for many thousands of years. Maybe one day someone living in the future will find the information and use a wormhole time machine to come back to my party, proving that time travel will, one day, be possible’.

The present Invitation was produced in 2013 and is number 2 of only 5 artist's proofs. A limited edition of 100 was created with Hawking’s approval.

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