Albert Einstein, Zur einheitlichen Feldtheorie (“On the Unified Field Theory”), offprint from Sitzungsberichte der Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Physikalisch-Mathematische Klasse, 1929. Berlin: W. de Gruyter for the Akademie, 1929. Quarto, original printed wrappers. Signed by Einstein on the upper right of the front wrapper.
This paper represents one of the final major stages of Einstein’s lifelong pursuit of a unified field theory his effort to reconcile gravitation and electromagnetism within a single theoretical framework. Although the goal remained elusive, these late works profoundly influenced modern theoretical physics. Signed examples of Einstein’s technical publications from this period are scarce.
Accompanied by an original photograph showing Einstein receiving a donation toward the construction of the Einstein Institute for Physics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, inscribed on the verso.
Provenance:
Given by Einstein to Dora Monness Shapiro (1880–1952), an early and important supporter of Einstein’s scientific work in Jerusalem. In the early 1930s, Mrs. Shapiro donated the funds used to construct the building that housed the Einstein Institute of Physics. The offprint and photograph descended directly through her family.
Condition:
Light dusting to the front wrapper; scattered brown spots near the fore-edge of the rear wrapper. The photograph shows cracks to the emulsion with resulting image losses.
A significant association piece linking Einstein’s late scientific work with the founding of one of the most important centers for theoretical physics in the 20th century.
With One of a Kind Collectibles LOA. With JSA LOA.