EINSTEIN, Albert (1879–1955). “Zur Quantentheorie der Strahlung”. Offprint from: Mitteilungen der Physikalischen Gesellschaft Zürich, nr. 18, 1916, pp. 47–62.

Rare first printing of “On the Quantum Theory of Radiation”, Einstein’s theoretical basis for the laser; his son’s copy. This uncommon but classic paper by Einstein contains his derivation of Planck’s law and predicts on theoretical grounds the existence of the phenomenon of stimulated emission of radiation. Four decades later MASER and LASER devices are operated to prove him right.

The paper was reprinted in 1917 in Physikalische Zeitschrift, and the journal or offprint issues from Mitteilungen der Physikalischen Gesellschaft Zürich are exceptionally rarer; only one journal copy has come to auction and no offprint issue.
This copy bears Hans Albert Einstein’s usual cataloguing of a number in red ink in the upper left corner and the date of publication in pencil in the upper right corner. These are often accompanied by Hans Einstein’s three-line inkstamp which is absent here, possibly because the upper margin is so small for it to fit.

Octavo (220 × 145mm). In-text equations (lightly toned, marginal crease at head of final two leaves). Original wrappers; custom blue cloth box.

Hans Albert Einstein (1904–1973; “40” in red ink in upper left corner and “1916” in pencil in upper right corner).