Out of My Later Years
New York: Philosophical Library, (1950). First Edition. Hardcover. First printing by the Philosophical Library, octavo size, 288 pp., signed and dated in the year of publication by Einstein. Very good + / very good +. Item #25031401
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) will forever be remembered for "E=mc2", which "has been called 'the world's most famous equation'." (N.b., per Wiki.)
While likely one of the world's most brilliant men, there were, for Einstein, broader issues with which he wrestled. This work is the second collection of essays published, covering the years 1934 to 1950, in which he "gives his personal credos, his profound convictions of the most urgent questions of modern society: social, religious, educational and racial relationships and the problem of peace." (N.b., publisher's blurb from the dust jacket.) The essays are divided into six sections: "Convictions and Beliefs", "Science", "Public Affairs", "Science and Life", "Personalities", and "My People".
This copy of the work made special by being signed and dated by Einstein in the year of publication, written as "A. Einstein. 1950." According to the family from whom we acquired this book, his signature was procured by a New York Rabbi, Irving the Levey, who knew Einstein and was working with him on issues relating to the then-new State of Israel. Rabbi Levey signed the book himself directly beneath Einstein's signature, and above that, the book was inscribed "To Harold Rosenstein" (not in Einstein's hand), the grandfather of the gentleman from whom we acquired the book.
___DESCRIPTION: Bound in dark blue cloth over boards, facsimile of Einstein's signature in gilt debossed on the front board, gilt lettering on the spine, Einstein's signature and date, the inscription to Mr. Rosenstein, and Rabbi Levey's signature, along with two lines of modern Hebrew, all at the top of the front free endpaper, this the first printing by the Philosophical Library (a UK edition was published the same year, and we are not away of any priority); octavo size (8 1/8" by 5 3/8"), pagination: [6] [1] 2-282. The dust jacket shows the original price of $4.75, with red and white lettering upon a grey and red background, with a summary on both flaps, the publisher's blurb quoted above at the bottom of the front panel, and a photograph, in red-and-white, of Einstein on the back panel.
___CONDITION: Volume just a shade below near fine, the boards clean, straight corners with miniscule rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and other than the inscriptions on the front free endpaper entirely free of prior owner markings; some light wear at the head and tail of the spine, the front pastedown lightly toned, the rear free endpaper heavily toned and the rear pastedown with a square of toning (as though something had previously been laid in). The dust jacket is not price-clipped, is clean with only light edgewear including a very small chip at the bottom of the front joint, and the spine sunned. Overall, a very good plus book in like jacket.
___PROVENANCE: Acquired from the family for whom Einstein signed this volume, see above.
___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.
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Price: $10,000.00