Zurich, 31 December 1909

Name: 'The solution of the quantum question'
Brand: Zurich, 31 December 1909
Price: 19000.00 USD
Availability: SoldOut

Price Realised USD 23,750

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'The solution of the quantum question'

Zurich, 31 December 1909

Price Realised USD 23,750

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Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Autograph correspondence card signed (‘Albert’) to Michele Besso (‘Lieber Michele’), [postmarked Zurich, 31 December 1909].

In German, 1½ pages, 140 x 90mm. Postscript in the hand of Mileva Einstein.

Please note this is the property of a private consignor.

Published in Pierre Speziali (ed.) Albert Einstein. Michele Besso. Correspondance 1903-1955. Paris: Hermann, 1972. No. 05

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Lot Essay

Energy distributions compatible with Maxwell's equations.

'I have not discovered much. The most interesting thing is that one can generate an endless variety of distributions of energy which are compatible with Maxwell's equations. Perhaps the solution to the question of quanta lies in this'. Einstein sets out equations representing the intensity of energy and demonstrating this compatibility, concluding 'Hopefully this is not a blind window'. The letter also sends New Year's greetings, and notes Einstein's enjoyment of his teaching work (at the University of Zurich, where he had begun teaching his first course on 15 October): 'I am getting more used to schoolmastering and it brings me much pleasure'.

Maxwell's equations are the four fundamental equations of electromagnetism: Einstein's work with them was fundamental to the Special Theory of Relativity (1905). The integration of quantum theory into the theory of relativity remains one of the enduring unanswered questions in Einstein's work.