Auction Date:2012 May 16 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
TLS signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8 x 11, Institute for Advanced Study letterhead, March 21, 1951. Letter to Raymond C. Miller, an aspiring scientist who had proposed a new law of nature. In full: “I am very sorry to say that your formula for the velocity of a planet is in contradiction with Newtonian mechanics and consequently also with Kepler’s empirical laws. It seems to me that you have not studied sufficiently elementary celestial mechanics.” Included with the letter is a comprehensive group of related documents, including drafts of Miller’s paper, titled ‘A Study of the Movements of Free Bodies in Space.' The third draft is 46 pages in length, while an earlier draft contains several carefully drawn (but evidently faulty) graphs relating to "the velocities of satellites about their respective planets." Among the other documents is an unsigned letter from Miller to Einstein, dated March 5, 1951. which reads, in part: “I am writing to give to you a brief report on what I believe to be a new fundamental law of nature. My equations are derived from the curves from observed data and I can find no deviations. It explains your curvature of space, although I do not interpret space as curved. I would appreciate if you would bring my reports to the attention of others that I may be recognized for my efforts." Miller also sent his findings to other notable figures, including astronomer Harlow Shapley, who responded with a dictated letter signed in his absence by his secretary: "It would be entirely impossible for me to undertake a critical reading of the manuscript which you have submitted. I must return it therefore without prejudice, and with sincere regret that I am not able to handle all the problems that are put in front of me.” All of the papers and the letter are neatly housed together in the original brad-bound folder with a typed label on the cover reading "Permanent Copies: A Study of the Movements of Free Bodies in Space by Raymond C. Miller." In fine condition, with binding holes to left edge of letter. A stellar example of Einstein asserting his vastly superior knowledge against the legions of would-be rivals who plagued him constantly.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
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