Details
EINSTEIN, Albert. Two autograph letters signed ('Papa') to his son Eduard ('Lieber Tete', 'Lieber Tetel'), n.p., 24 January and 5 February 1930, 2 pages, 8vo, and one page, 4to (light wear along folds).
Walther Mayer and the Unified Field Theory. On 24 January Einstein writes to sympathise with Eduard in his difficulties; he himself cannot get away, as the Prussian Academy has paid for 'einen guten Mathematiker aus Wien' (Walther Mayer) to be taken on for six months: he is to arrive on 1 February and Einstein must make the best use of the time: 'It's a question of working out the consequences of my new theory, a thing of burning interest to me. The piquant thing is that up till now no man apart from myself has believed it'. He closes the letter with further discussion of Eduard's frame of mind, urging him not to make the common mistake of taking himself too seriously. On 5 February he is pleased to hear that Eduard is feeling better: 'Men are like bicycles. It's only easy to keep your balance when you are on the move'. Walther Mayer has arrived, and they work together every couple of days. The Unified Field Theory is moving forward slowly, but Einstein has high hopes. He is corresponding on the subject with one of the finest French mathematicians; 'das macht viel Mühe aber noch mehr Freude' (it requires a lot of effort, but gives even more pleasure).
Walther Mayer succeeded Cornelius Lanczos as Einstein's assistant in 1930, and was his constant companion until after their move to Princeton in 1934, where Einstein insisted on a position being found for him. Soon after their arrival, Mayer abruptly left Einstein to return his attention to his own field of pure mathematics. (2)
Walther Mayer and the Unified Field Theory. On 24 January Einstein writes to sympathise with Eduard in his difficulties; he himself cannot get away, as the Prussian Academy has paid for 'einen guten Mathematiker aus Wien' (Walther Mayer) to be taken on for six months: he is to arrive on 1 February and Einstein must make the best use of the time: 'It's a question of working out the consequences of my new theory, a thing of burning interest to me. The piquant thing is that up till now no man apart from myself has believed it'. He closes the letter with further discussion of Eduard's frame of mind, urging him not to make the common mistake of taking himself too seriously. On 5 February he is pleased to hear that Eduard is feeling better: 'Men are like bicycles. It's only easy to keep your balance when you are on the move'. Walther Mayer has arrived, and they work together every couple of days. The Unified Field Theory is moving forward slowly, but Einstein has high hopes. He is corresponding on the subject with one of the finest French mathematicians; 'das macht viel Mühe aber noch mehr Freude' (it requires a lot of effort, but gives even more pleasure).
Walther Mayer succeeded Cornelius Lanczos as Einstein's assistant in 1930, and was his constant companion until after their move to Princeton in 1934, where Einstein insisted on a position being found for him. Soon after their arrival, Mayer abruptly left Einstein to return his attention to his own field of pure mathematics. (2)
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.