H i s t o r y , P h i l o s o p h y & R e l i g i o n 84 “Prof. Epstein Is Certainly One Of The Most Prominent Living Theoretical Physicists Of The German-Speaking World”: Very Rare And Fascinating Autograph Letter Of Recommendation Written And Signed By Einstein, Lauding The Accomplishments Of His Friend And Colleague, Russian-American Mathematical Physicist Paul Epstein, With Discussion Of Quantum Physics And Atomic Theory 108. EINSTEIN, Albert. Autograph letter signed. No place, August 14, 1921. Single sheet of cream lined paper, measuring 7-1/2 by 11 inches; p. 1. $35,000. Rare heartfelt autograph letter of recommendation written and signed by Einstein in German, enthusiastically recommending his friend and colleague, physicist Prof. Dr. Paul Epstein, for an academic position, and also discussing aspects of physics and atomic theory that later led to the atomic bomb. Einstein and Epstein were friends and longtime correspondents who shared an interest in physics, Judaism, and the founding of Israel. Paul Epstein was a Russian-American mathematical physicist. He remains best known for his contributions to the development of quantum mechanics. Indeed, he was one of a select group that included Lorentz, Einstein, Minkowski, Thomson, Rutherford, Sommerfeld, Röntgen, von Laue, Bohr, de Broglie, Ehrenfest, and Schwarzschild. In 1921—the year this letter was written—Robert Millikan recruited Epstein to join the physicists at the California Institute of Technology. Epstein accepted the position and stayed there for the rest of his career, publishing extensively on quantum theory. Overall, this letter provides valuable insight into the scientific world during the height of Einstein’s international career, right when he first began traveling abroad and meeting fellow scientists internationally. The letter reflects Einstein’s importance in the community and is a testament to Epstein’s ability as a physicist. Original mailing creases. Fine condition.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDg3OTM=