Lot #155

Albert Einstein: 1911 Solvay Conference Report - La Théorie du Rayonnement et les Quanta [The Theory of Radiation and Quanta]

Description

Rare first edition French-language report on the 1911 Solvay Conference: La Théorie du Rayonnement et les Quanta. Rapports et Discussions de la Reunion Tenue a Bruxelles du 30 Octobre au 3 Novembre 1911, Sous les Auspices de M. E. Solvay [The Theory of Radiation and Quanta: Reports and Discussions from the Meeting Held in Brussels from October 30 to November 3, 1911, Under the Auspices of Mr. E. Solvay]. Paris: Gauthier-Villars, Imprimeur-Libraire, 1912. Paperback, 6.5 x 10, 461 pages. Einstein's contribution comes on pages 407–435, "L'État Actuel du Probleme des Chaleurs Specifiques [The Current State of the Specific Heat Capacity Problem]." In good to very good condition, with the front wrapper detached, splitting and wear to the sunned spine, foxing to top textblock edge, and some creasing to the wrapper's corners.

Published in 1912, La Théorie du Rayonnement et les Quanta documents the proceedings of the first Solvay Conference, held in Brussels from October 30 to November 3, 1911, under the patronage of Ernest Solvay. This seminal work captures a pivotal moment in the history of physics, marking the dawn of quantum theory. The conference brought together luminaries like Albert Einstein, Max Planck, Marie Curie, and Henri Poincaré to debate the nature of light and matter, focusing on Planck’s quantum hypothesis
and its implications for classical physics.

The publication’s content—reports and discussions—reveals the revolutionary shift from classical to quantum mechanics. Key topics included blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect, and the quantization of energy, with Einstein’s contributions on quanta laying the groundwork for modern quantum theory.

Historically, it signifies the first major international effort to address the crisis in classical physics, setting the stage for future Solvay Conferences as incubators of scientific breakthroughs. This rare volume is a cornerstone for understanding the quantum revolution.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts Featuring Science/Technology and Animation
• Dates: #731 - Ended 12/10/2025