BAUMAN RARE BOOKS 54 “It Does Not Seem Possible To Me That Anything Fundamental About The Laws Of Nature Can Be Inferred From The Planetary Constellation” 81EINSTEIN, Albert. Typed letter signed. Princeton, New Jersey, January 13, 1942. One leaf measuring 8-1/2 by 11 inches, typing on recto only, matted and framed. $19,000 Wonderful typed letter signed by Einstein discussing planetary motion and the “fundamental laws of nature.” The letter, written in German, reads in translation in part: “It does not seem possible to me that anything fundamental about the laws of nature can be inferred from the planetary constellation. Imagine a shell shot vertically upward from one location at a velocity of about 20 km per second. Such a body would orbit the sun as an independent planet, and its trajectory could have been arbitrarily directed by us. In principle, it is possible (although not practical) to change the orbit elements arbitrarily by analogous methods. Thus, it seems to me that I can say with certainty that, for these orbit elements, no fundamental laws could be applied, out of which conclusions can be drawn about the fundamental laws... Sincerely yours, [signed] A. Einstein. Your manuscript will follow by a separate mail.” Expected fold lines, one marginal tear neatly repaired on the verso, not affecting text. Autograph Letter Signed By Charles Darwin 82DARWIN, Charles. Autograph letter signed. Beckenham, Kent, Oct 5, 1870. One leaf of cream letterhead, measuring 5 by 8 inches, penned on recto for one page. With original envelope, addressed in Darwin’s hand, matted and framed. $22,500 1870 autograph signed letter by Darwin to his friend, long-time correspondent, author and dog breeder George Cupples, regarding a puppy Cupples had promised to send. Darwin references working on the proofs of Descent of Man—an amazing letter with strong association to Darwin’s greatest works. George Cupples was a breeder of Scotch Deerhounds. He read Origin of Species and became fascinated with the chapters on selective breeding, hypothesizing that he could simulate the phenomenon with his own dogs. Cupples wrote to Darwin following the publication of Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication in 1868. This began a ten-year correspondence, culminating in part with Cupples sending Darwin a Scottish Deerhound puppy in November 1870, a month after this letter was written. Faint marginal toning to letter; minor evidence of prior mounting along right edge on verso. Signature bold and clear.
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