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317

Johannes Stark

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:4,000.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Johannes Stark

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Auction Date:2014 Jan 15 @ 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
German physicist (1874–1957) and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1919. He was also closely involved with the ‘Deutsche Physik’ movement under the Nazi regime. ALS in German, signed “Stark,” one page, lightly-lined both sides, 5.5 x 8.5, December 5, 1926. Letter to German experimental physicist Ernst Gehrcke concerning a demonstration of the so-called Stark effect, the shifting and splitting of spectral lines of atoms and molecules due to presence of an external electric field. In part (translated): “I am pleased that you wish to pursue my suggestion. It seems to me that the polarization of light emission is important enough to serve as the subject of numerous investigations....Together with my old college friend von Hirsch [the physicist and chemist Rudolf von Hirsch], I am currently testing some recent obscure experiments. One of them is to involve the tube you indicated to ‘demonstrate the Stark effect.’ Your note mentioned that you were able to obtain such a tube, ready for use, from the glass-blower Lenz. It is of great importance to me that I obtain the tube as soon as possible....Lenz is to attach particular importance to careful packing, so that the electrode mounts are not broken off by sudden jolts.” In fine condition, with some mild diagonal creases and a couple trivial edge tears.

In 1924, five years after receiving the Nobel Prize for his work on the ‘Stark effect,’ Johannes Stark resigned his position as professor of physics at the University of Wurzberg and began to vocalize harsh criticisms of the current state of scientific pursuit. Though still publishing important scientific pieces—including The Axiality of Light Emission and Atomic Structure in 1927, most certainly what he was working on at the time of this letter—his speeches and writings shifted to nationalistic right-wing political commentaries, promoting Hitler’s views, accusing Jewish scientists in Germany of being unconcerned with scientific objectivity, and denouncing theoretical physics in place of research to help industry and arms production. With excellent scientific content, discussing his most important scientific work and continuing experimentation with light emission, this is a remarkable letter from the start of Stark’s controversial shift from physics to politics—the first Stark we have ever offered.
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