Carl Friedrich Gauss
German mathematician, 1777-1855
"Gauss was a German mathematician who contributed significantly to many fields, including number theory, algebra, statistics, analysis, differential geometry, geodesy, geophysics, mechanics, electrostatics, astronomy, matrix theory, and optics. Sometimes referred to as the Princeps mathematicorum (Latin, ""the Prince of Mathematicians"" or ""the foremost of mathematicians"") and ""greatest mathematician since antiquity"", Gauss had an exceptional influence in many fields of mathematics and science and is ranked as one of history's most influential mathematicians."
Source: Wikipedia
Mathematiker und Astronom (1777-1855). 2 autograph letter signed. Göttingen. Gr.-4to. 2 1/2 pp. 3.XI.1838 1 1/2 pp. gr.-4to. 22.XII.1838 1 p. gr.-4to. Jeweils auf Doppelblatt. Mit Adresse. Fehlstelle auf den Respektblättern durch Öffnen des papierged. Siegels.
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(83839)
Collection of two long, unpublished letters from the year 1838, addressed to the Berlin physicist and geologist Georg Adolf Erman (1806–1877). Erman had returned in 1830 from a multi-year world expedition and was in the process of publishing his research findings ("Reise um die Welt durch Nordasien und die beiden Oceane" [Journey Around the World Through North Asia and the Two Oceans], 5 volumes on historical aspects [1833–1842] and 2 volumes on physical aspects [1835–1841, with an atlas]).
Gauss was able to build upon Erman’s empirical observations of the Earth’s magnetic field with his theoretical work. Excerpt from the first letter (November 3, 1838): "The magnetic observations Your Honor made on your journey around the world are of such interest to any friend of this branch of natural science that I have eagerly awaited the publication of the second part of your work but, unfortunately, in vain thus far. You fully disclosed the declinations in the first part of your work; I recently learned about the (complete) intensities from Sabine’s recently published report (Report on the Variations of the Magnetic Intensity, London, 1838). However, the inclinations are still missing. Some were mentioned in Poggendorff’s Annalen (1829, vol. 2 and 3), but I am uncertain about the reliability of these reports, especially as the declinations in these earlier accounts differ significantly from the later ones in your work. Furthermore, a part of your journey remains unaccounted for, so, for instance, I have not been able to find your inclination for Sitka anywhere. For theoretical purposes, one cannot make use of the so-called total intensity at all; instead, one must first derive the horizontal intensity from it. I had already mentioned this in an earlier letter to you and have expressed it on several other occasions, unfortunately without seeing my wish fulfilled." Excerpt from the second letter (December 22, 1838): "I am deeply indebted to you for your kind willingness to fulfill my request, and I express my heartfelt thanks for the communications you have already provided. While I eagerly anticipate the forthcoming completion of your reports, I hope that this will not cause you any inconvenience and that you will proceed entirely at your own convenience. If I may express my primary interest, it lies first and foremost in observations from locations where all three magnetic elements have been fully determined. The Royal Society in London has petitioned the British government to establish magnetic stations on St. Helena, the Cape, Ceylon, Van Diemen’s Land [now Tasmania], and in Canada, and to organize a dedicated expedition to carry out magnetic observations at the highest attainable southern latitudes. These are promising prospects, and in a few years, our knowledge in this field will likely be greatly enriched." These letters highlight the scientific exchange and the international efforts to expand the understanding of the Earth’s magnetic field during the 19th century..
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Collection of four long, unpublished letters spanning more than a decade, all to the Berlin physicist and geologist Georg Adolf Erman (1806-77), who had returned from a long voyage around the world and was in the process of publishing his findings ("Reise um die Welt durch Nordasien und die beiden Oceane", 5 vols. of history [1833-42] and 2 vols. of physics [1835-41, with atlas]). Gauss was able to draw on Erman's empirical observations about earth's magnetic field. All four letters begin with thanks for gifts sent by Erman, then develop into extensive scientific discussions which even touch upon Gauss's thermogalvanic experiments. Also, Gauss mentions his attempts to obtain books of Russian fiction. - In 1836 Gauss thanks Erman for presenting him with the 2nd part of his "Reise um die Erde" ("Ortsbestimmungen und Declinationsbeobachtungen auf dem festen Lande"): "This work contains a great wealth of facts. I am particularly interested in your magnetic observations and therefore am glad that you decided to include in this early volume your compass declinations with their results. These, in connection with other observations, will serve to supply the gap left by Barlow's map of declinations [...] But now I dearly look forward to the publication of the second part which is to contain the intensities and inclination readings. Hopefully we will then soon possess a general map for the horizontal intensity, which is devoutly to be wished. Indeed, as things stand now, the entire intensity in most cases is to be conceived merely as a unit of calculation at which one cannot directly arrive with any degree of precision, but which is a mere function of immediately observable elements, such as one rarely will find together in a single place, and even more rarely with the same degree of reliability; and, even more importantly, there are precious few occasions on which the entire intensity will be of any use at all; what is really needed are those very separate elements themselves. To arrange the three coordinates in such a fashion that one of them represents the whole intensity would seem to me, considering the present state of affairs, like wanting to draw up a star index in longitude and latitude only, omitting right ascension and declination. Indeed, at close examination even this comparison proves misleading, as an astronomer ultimately needs latitudes and longitudes for planets and comets so as to establish a general theory, whereas to establish a general theory of the geomagnetic field deserving of the name it is indispensable to disassemble the whole intensity back into its components. To be sure, this statement, which you must not take as an off-handed remark but rather as the result of long and thorough deliberation, cannot possibly be explained in a letter, but this much I can add: that I am fully satisfied as to the method by which the establishment of an exhausting General Theory is to be attacked [...] You may be interested to learn that our recent thermogalvanic experiments have already succeeded in so amplifying an electric current that it is capable of setting even the 25 pound rods in violent motion after passing through a wire of a mile's length [...]". - In 1839 Gauss thanks for a "postcard from Kamchatka" and for the "full communication of Erman's declination readings": "I will be most happy soon to receive also the corrected data of your intensities, although there is no hurry about that. I am merely making mention of a few of your observations in an article intended for the 3rd part of the Findings of the Magnetic Society, the first sheet of which is now in the press. Should your corrected calculations for these 16 locations [followed by a table of 16 cities, including St Petersburg, Kazan, Moscow, San Francisco, and Rio de Janeiro] have yielded intensity readings departing from those published by Major Sabine, I would be able to include these changes in the proofs of the said article [...] According to the most recent news I received from England, our hopes that the government there might do something splendid for the study of the geomagnetic field have suffered a severe blow; but this is not for want of the scholars' diligence, and no blame can be attached to them if the government fails to act [...]". - In late 1841 Gauss thanks for the gift of the 2nd volume of "Reise um die Erde" ("Inclinationen und Intensitäten, Declinationsbeobachtungen auf der See. Periodische Declinationsveränderungen"): "Regarding your observations I can only agree with Sabine's judgment that they contain the most substantial and valuable contribution to the knowledge of magnetism ever made by anybody. It gives me pleasure to see that the new reduction of intensity readings for Tahiti differs considerably from the earlier one, approaching that of Fitz Roy, and nearly duplicating that of Belcher. The large difference, according to Sabine, is mainly due to local interferences [...] I am much pleased with your plans for a journal aiming at acquainting us with Russia's literary productions, the more so because I myself during the past year or two have begun to study the Russian language and find this occupation most agreeable entertainment. The only thing that rather spoils this hobby for me is the difficulty in obtaining Russian books [...] However, l'Appetit vient en mangeant, and in particular I should like to have more in the way of belles lettres. My fiction department so far is limited to Krylov's Fables, a few volumes of Pushkin, and the complete collection of the writings of your Yakutian friend Bestuyev-Martinsky. All my endeavors to obtain something through the German booksellers have been in vain; a single shop did not refuse me outright, but demanded, apart from other onerous conditions (such as that one must accept the shipment regardless of when it arrives, and whatever the charge), the absolutely precise titles of the books ordered [...]". - In 1849 Gauss thanks Erman for sending him various works, including the "3rd volume of the historical section of your travel account", and criticises an article that appeared in the "Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science": "Observations all made from points upon or near a single line encircling the earth are quite as hopeless for such a purpose as would be the attempt to determine all the lunar elements and equations from the observations of a single week, even if they were made continuously from a hundred observatories. One might go even further and say that, to a degree, the observation data must not only encompass most of the earth's surface, but must also be more or less evenly distributed across the same [...] Altogether, the correction of my constants will certainly prove a tough nut to crack (for posterity), one that will turn out to be harder than the teeth of many a coming scientist [...]". - Clean and well-preserved throughout. Three letters are written in neat Latin handwriting, while that of 1841 is in German script, written somewhat overly carefully at first, then becoming more and more fluent and finally descending into a rather loose style.
E. Brief mit U.
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Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1856), mathematician. ALS. Göttingen, 6 April 1821. 8°. 2 pp. Double leaf. Slight defects to edges. In German. To the engineer Georg von Reichenbach (1771–1826) in Munich, regarding a theodolite (surveying instrument) which Reichenbach has promised to construct and send him. Gauss has therefore begun to plan his surveying campaign and is already having the requisite signal towers built. He reminds Reichenbach that he will be helpless without the theodolite. Should the completion of the instrument take longer than anticipated, Gauss writes, then he shall request Reichenbach to send him Professor Schumacher’s theodolite, currently undergoing minor repair work at Reichenbach’s shop, as the Professor has agreed to help out in the case of need. Gauss makes special requests concerning the construction of the instrument, adding a small sketch. – Old note at letterhead; slightly browned.
Eigenh. Brief mit U. ("Dein treuer Vater").
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Eigenh. Schreiben mit U.
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Confirming receipt of a bill of exchange over 1166 thalers from the Hanoverian treasurer Johann Christoph Georg Enouy on behalf of the noted Munich-based instrument maker Georg von Reichenbach (1771-1826), councillor of saltworks, as payment for a transit telescope delivered to the Royal Observatory: "Daß ich unter heutigem Dato einen Wechsel auf 1166 2/3 rth. Conventionsmünze für Herrn Salinenrath von Reichenbach in München, als Bezahlung für ein der k. Sternwarte geliefertes Passageninstrument von dem Rechnungsführer der Universitätscasse Hrn. Klosterregistrator Enouy in Hannover zugesandt erhalten habe, bescheinige ich hiedurch [...]".
Eigenh. Brief mit Unterschrift.
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Nice letter with two small drawings to the Munich engineer Georg von Reichenbach (1771-1826) regarding the dispatch of a theodolite [= angle measuring instrument]: "[...] Your dear letter of December 21st of last year has given me, my most esteemed and dearest friend, courage and reassurance, as you promised me the theodolite for this April and the stadia rod for next July. Trusting in this promise, I have now taken all my measures for the triangulation, my assistants have been appointed and are about to begin the campaign; I am already having signal towers built at the suitable points, etc. So please send the theodolite as soon as it is ready, without delay. With regard to the stadia rod, I am willing to wait until July, especially since, according to your letter, I have further improvements to hope for, and I do not wish to deprive Mr. Prof. Bohneberger of his. But once again, dearest Reichenbach, I impress upon your friendly heart the urgent need for the theodolite. Without it, I can do nothing and am in the greatest difficulty. Should, therefore – against my hope – the completion of this instrument be delayed by a few weeks longer than you promised, I earnestly request you to send me immediately, under my address, the theodolite of Mr. Prof. Schumacher, as he kindly offers to lend it to me for a short time in case of need, as he will also have written to you himself. Since only a small repair needs to be made to this instrument, which can be done in a few days, I count on this as the surest option. The successful progress of my operation depends primarily on a good start. May I add one more request regarding the theodolite, it would be to set up the thread network in this way [a small drawing], i.e., instead of a single vertical thread, to insert a double one, with a distance of about 30" or 40". I have found such an arrangement very useful when sighting very distant faint objects. But if, upon receipt of this, the network is already finished, leave it as it is, at least I would not want the dispatch of the instrument to be delayed by even one day [...]" - Old note at the top, slightly yellowed.