English mathematician and physicist (1850-1925). Two autograph letters signed. Torquay. Small 4to. (203 x 166 mm). Altogether (¾+2 =) 2¾ pp. on 2 ff. The second letter with scientific formulae and notations, annotated by Silberstein at the top left corner.
22.500 €
(87354/BN57843)
Two densely scientific letters on "operational calculus", vector notation and the laws of dynamics by the pioneering physicist and electrical engineer Oliver Heaviside, from the archive of the Polish-American physicist and opponent of Einstein, Ludwik Silberstein (1872-1948). - The first letter responding to Silberstein's request for copies of his papers, "On Operators in Physical Mathematics" (published 1892/93), the final part unavailable "because it received the honour of being declined [for publication]".
Heaviside notes that the second part of his E.M.T. ("Electromagnetic Theory", 1899) contains the same material, while the third part, whose publication has been "delayed by editorial inappreciation", has more on "operational stuff", on which he elaborates a little. - The second letter opens with Heaviside confirming receipt of Silberstein's book (presumably "Vectorial Mechanics", 1913) and paper - "I am very glad you adopted (in the main) my notation in vectors. To be practically useful, we must not conflict with ordinary alg[ebraic] practices, tho' we may extend their meanings" - before launching into a detailed set of improvements that might be made to Silberstein's system of formulae and notation of vectors in a second edition. "Physicists have no interest in elaborations of formulas they don't use, & c'd not remember. Besides, in more advanced work the needed extensions can be introduced when wanted". He continues at length, broadening his exposition to touch on the physics of d'Alembert, Lagrange and Newton and current understanding of the laws of motion. - Provenance: from the sale of Ludwik Silberstein's archive, RR Auctions, 20 May 2021, lots 4031 and 4033. Autograph material by Heaviside is notably rare on the market..
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Partial autograph letter signed.
Autograph ist nicht mehr verfügbar
Last page of a handwritten letter to Dr. Ludwik Silberstein, in part: "'A dry, airy, and sunny situation.' Impossible in Devonshire for dryness. The air is oversaturated with water through most of the winter. Airy:—It is too airy. Tho I am thankful to say that the trees cut off worst of the cold winds. Sunny:—it faces the South on the living side, and we get as much sun as is possible, for there are no near trees in the way of the S. Now I hope you are satisfied. What w'd suit me would be a dry, warm, and not very airy situation. It can't be got in any part of the British Isles! Egypt or Algeria or some parts of Italy or S. France or Spain might suit me. The warmth is most essential. (You omit that). Dryness and airiness are killing without warmth. E.g. Edinboro and the N.E. coast of England." Silberstein notes the dates of receipt and reply on the reverse. In fine condition. Heaviside's autograph is exceedingly rare—we find no records of any having been publicly offered for sale in the past.