Description:

Albert Einstein's Friends from Leiden Write a Letter

An interesting 1p autograph letter signed, with portions in Dutch and German, signed by two of Albert Einstein's friends from the University of Leiden, Austrian physicist Paul Ehrenfest (1880-1933) and Dutch physicist Johannes "Jan" Martinus Burgers (1895-1981). The letter should yield fascinating results when fully translated!

The letter dated August 22, 1917 is addressed to an unknown recipient nicknamed "the hare" or "the rabbit." The top half, written in Dutch and German, contains approximately 75 words inscribed in the hand of Paul Ehrenfest and is signed by him as "Ehrenfest" at center. Below, Professor Ehrenfest's doctoral student Jan Burgers has handwritten a congratulatory message in Dutch and signed his name as "J.M. Burgers" at bottom. The content appears to relate to scientific study, as examinations and "experimental work" are mentioned. Lightly toned. Folded into quarters, and with a few extra wrinkles. Else near fine. 8.125" x 10.125."

Leiden was a hub of intellectual activity in the 1910s, thanks in part to Paul Ehrenfest, who taught physics at the University of Leiden between 1912 and his death by suicide in 1933. Ehrenfest mentored many of the most talented physicists of the twentieth century, among them Jan Burgers, Enrico Fermi, Robert Oppenheimer, and Herner Weisenberg. A close friend of Albert Einstein, Ehrenfest arranged for Einstein to serve as a "special professor" or guest lecturer at the University of Leiden after 1920. Einstein praised Ehrenfest highly, writing, "He was not merely the best teacher in our profession whom I have ever known; he was also passionately preoccupied with the development and destiny of men, especially his students."

Jan Burgers met Albert Einstein through his advisor Paul Ehrenfest. Burgers attended the University of Leiden between 1914-1917 and earned his doctorate there in 1918. Burgers specialized in fluid mechanics, giving his name to the Burgers vortex, Burgers vector, and the Burgers equation.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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