Herbert Salzer was getting his Master’s in Math & Applied Sciences at Columbia and was writing his thesis that cited work Einstein had abandoned a few years prior on Distant Parallelism Field Theory. Salzer, then 23 years-old, found a mistake in Einstein’s first mathematical application and decided to write a letter explaining the issue. A few weeks later Einstein wrote Salzer back and said while he applauded the student’s gumption, Salzer was mistaken. Two weeks pass and Einstein writes Salzer again after stepping away and re-working his equations, and in the second letter apologizes and states three times “Therefore you are right and I am wrong.” Herbert Salzer not only went on to complete his Doctorate at Columbia, but went on to have a fruitful career as a mathematician, scientist, and inventor.

These letters are not only important and unique because the great Einstein admits in writing that a graduate student better understood the calculus, but it gives a humbling insight into Einstein’s honesty – which at times got him into trouble or was fodder for laughter. In terms of the science involved, Einstein was attempting to create a unified theory on a topic that involved both gravity and electromagnetic fields and struggled to do so until Salzer pointed out the mistake. Since both gravity and electromagnetic fields are governed by different scientific and mathematical principles, it was an intellectually-risky undertaking. In its most basic form, Einstein’s Distant Parallelism Field Theory was meant to serve as a means to more accurately project general space-time relationships.

Although Herbert E. Salzer only wrote to Albert Einstein once, Einstein replied with two letters to the then young scholar dated little more than two weeks apart. The first letter was dated 29 August 1938 and was written on a piece of 8 ½ in x 11 in (21.59 cm x 27.94 cm) which was folded in half and then in thirds to suit the envelope. The double-sided letter shows Einstein explaining to Salzer that he (Einstein) is convinced there could be no physical representation of the corresponding mathematics suggested by Salzer, and Einstein goes on to illustrate that what was suggested is not possible. This initial response from Einstein came in an envelope postmarked 13 September 1938 and addressed to Salzer in Brooklyn, complete with a return address of “Morton’s Cottage, Nassau Point, Peconic L.I.N.Y.” and a three-cent George Washington stamp.

The second letter is also double-sided and dated 13 September 1938. The contents of this letter explain that by revisiting the work done in order to answer Herbert E. Salzer the first time, Einstein was prompted to revise the first approximation and only then saw that the twenty-three year-old student was correct all along. In a declarative but humbling statement, Einstein wrote “Therefore your transformation equation is right, mine is wrong.”[i] Measuring 5 in. x 8 in. (12.7 cm x 27.94 cm) and folded in half, this second piece of handwritten correspondence is from an envelope postmarked 30 September 1938 with no return address and a three-cent Thomas Jefferson stamp.

Both letters written by Einstein come in a standard business-sized envelope inscribed by Dr. Salzer himself and it reads, “Two letters from Albert Einstein to Herbert E. Salzer”. In addition, Salzer included a copy of his journal article entitled “Two Letters from Einstein Concerning his Distant Parallelism Field Theory” from 1974 where he wrote at the top, “for Jackie and Larry, with compliments and love from Uncle Herbert E. Salzer”.

Interested parties can participate in this four lot auction in person at the Arader Galleries, 1016 Madison Avenue, New York City, or liveauctioneers.com. A preview of the Maltese Falcon and Einstein Letters will take place on November 6 from 11 to 6pm and on the auction day (November 7) from 11 to 3pm. For additional information, interested collectors and fans are urged to contact Guernsey’s directly by telephone or learn more by visiting Guernsey's website