Boston-based RR Auction has announced the upcoming sale of an extraordinary six-page, handwritten manuscript by Albert Einstein. The manuscript, believed to have been written circa 1947-48, is an unsigned German-language draft of an article published in English as “The Essence of the Theory of Relativity” in volume XVI of ‘The American Peoples Encyclopedia’ in 1948.
The manuscript is a remarkable insight into the mind of one of the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century. In the piece, Einstein explains his theory of relativity, which is widely considered the foundation of modern physics. The article begins with a general introduction before delving into the “Special Theory of Relativity” and “General Theory of Relativity.” Einstein also includes several equations and sketches a small graph to illustrate his ideas.
The manuscript offers a simplified discussion of Einstein’s theories, making them accessible to a lay audience, before launching into an increasingly technical explanation. At the time of the article’s publication, nuclear physics had come to the forefront of the public’s attention with the advent of the atomic bomb in World War II. Einstein’s work helped to provide a coherent explanation of his theories for the general public.
The manuscript is in fine condition, with only a minor rust mark to the first page. Accompanied by a full English translation, the manuscript is expected to fetch $350,000 when it goes up for auction. The sale of such a significant scientific manuscript will surely attract interest from collectors and institutions alike.
Einstein’s theory of relativity is a cornerstone of modern physics and has profoundly impacted our understanding of the universe. This manuscript offers a unique insight into the mind of a scientific genius and will be of great interest to anyone with an interest in the history of science.
Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction, described the manuscript as “A significant scientific manuscript by Albert Einstein, discussing the history, meaning, and influence of his theory of relativity.” The manuscript offers a unique insight into Einstein’s thought process and approach to explaining complex scientific concepts to a broader audience. With its historical significance and connection to one of the most important scientific theories of the modern era, the manuscript will generate significant interest among collectors and scientists alike.
The manuscript is currently being offered as part of The Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction Featuring Science and Tech by RR Auction. The auction began on April 17 and will conclude on May 10, allowing bidders to own a piece of scientific history. Interested parties can find more information about the auction and bidding process at www.rrauction.com.
It’s worth noting that another item related to Albert Einstein was sold at auction by RR Auction in May 2021. A handwritten letter by Einstein containing his famous equation, “E = mc2,” was sold for an impressive $1.2 million. The letter was written in 1946 to Polish-American physicist Ludwik Silberstein, and it includes several other equations and insights into Einstein’s work. The sale of this letter demonstrates the continued interest and reverence for Einstein’s contributions to science and his work’s impact on our understanding of the universe.
A handwritten letter by Einstein containing his famous equation, “E = mc2,” was sold for an impressive $1.2 million.