- Used
Seller: Seth Kaller Inc., White Plains, NY, U.S.A.Seth Kaller Inc.
AbeBooks seller since December 1, 2005
Condition: Used - Fine
£ 139,098.20
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Ephemera. Set of Anker-Steinbaukasten childrens building blocks by F. Ad. Richter & Cie., Rudolstadt, [Germany], c.1880s. Approximately 160 composite quartz sand, chalk, and linseed oil blocks in red, limestone and slate gray, in various sizes and shapes, together with three or more sets of building plans, all contained in two wooden boxes with printed Anker-Steinbaukasten labels. A unique and important artifact of his childhood. Einstein spent his childhood building "complicated structures" with these Anker-Steinbaukasten blocks. Accepting his later theory that "Imagination is more important than knowledge," the toys that encouraged his imagination became building blocks for the most important scientific theories of the last millennium.His sister Maja Winteler-Einstein, describing his childhood, recalled that "The games he played . were very characteristic of Albert's capacities. These were mostly puzzles, fretsaw work, the erection of complicated structures with the well-known Anker building blocks, and above all the construction of multi-storied card castles, with which he filled his leisure." ("Beitrag fr sein Lebensbild" in The collected papers of Albert Einstein. ed. John Stachel. Volume 1: The early years. 1879-1902. (Princeton University Press, 1987) p.lix. Translated from German.)Based on the work of German educator Friedrich Froebel (who created the concept of kindergarten) these composite stone blocks were a popular toy of the 1880s and 1890s. The blocks were designed to help develop childrens' tactile senses and manual dexterity, and also to stimulate imagination, creativity and three-dimensional perception. Fellow scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, as well as architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Gropius are among the geniuses who are known to have played with Anker blocks. ProvenanceThe set had passed by direct descent from Albert Einstein to the consignor from whom we acquired the blocks at Christie's London on July 13, 2016. ConditionA few blocks chipped and worn, with original instructions and boxes worn, soiled and defective.Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was a German-Swiss born theoretical physicist internationally recognized as one of the greatest physicists of all time. He enunciated the general theory of Relativity, with law explaining the relationship between the speed of light and its consequence, the equivalence of mass and energy (E=MC2). For his work in theoretical physics-largely for his 1905 paper on photons and photo-electricity-Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics (announced in November 1922, retroactive for 1921). Working on a unified field theory, he then attempted to explain gravitation and electromagnetism within one set of laws. With the expulsion of Jewish scholars from Germany after Hitler's rise to power, Einstein joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey (1933), which became the most celebrated research center in the world. In 1939, he signed a letter written to President Franklin Roosevelt warning him of the possibility of Germany developing a nuclear bomb. He urged the U.S. to begin uranium research, thus beginning the top secret "Manhattan Project." Later, at Princeton, he tried to develop a unified field theory and to refute the accepted interpretation of quantum physics, both unsuccessfully. Einstein received U.S. citizenship in 1940.…
Seller Inventory # 24284
Bibliographic details
- Title
- The Building Blocks of Albert Einstein's Creative Mind
- Author
- ALBERT EINSTEIN
- Publisher
- Germany
- Publication year
- 1880
- Condition
- Fine
- Book Type
- Ephemera
- Binding
- No binding
- Seller catalogs
- Art & Artifacts, Ephemera, History
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 2.25 | £ 4.13 |
Payment methods
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Check
- Money Order
- Paypal
Store description
About the Seller Since 1988, I have been the largest buyer of important content American historic documents. Thousands of documents I have handled are in museum collections, including the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendments acquired for the Lincoln Museum of Fort Wayne, Indiana, now on display in the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. I am a member of the Board of Trustees of the Manuscript Society, and a member of the ABAA. References are available upon request. Starting Your Own Collection We have the expertise necessary to acquire individual items, or build a personalized collection for you. We can inspire you by creating a unique link to the historical figures, events or ideas that inspire you. Seth Kaller Inc. can handle or coordinate each aspect of the process such as: Pre-acquisition research, Physical inspection and purchasing, Auction representation, Authentication, Inventory and accounting reports, Conservation, Framing and display, and Collection management. Museum Quality\Private Ownership Most people know that markets exist for Impressionist paintings, fine English antiques, or rare coins. However, the field of historic documents has long been quietly dominated by a select few: J.P. Morgan, Henry Huntington, Malcolm Forbes. This is changing as more collectors discover the satisfaction of a personal, unique connection with history. Achieve Immortality! Become associated with your favorite museum, library, university or historical society. Important properties can be loaned for exhibition, placed on deposit or donated outright, to insure their survival for generations to come. We can handle all the arrangements for you, including working with tax attorneys and accountants, and coordinating insurance, transit, and proper acknowledgment. …
Specialty
American History, Civil War, Revolutionary War, African American History, Presidents, Judaica, Maps, Declaration of Independence, SlaveryAssociation member
Seller's business information
Seth Kaller Inc.
235 Main St. Ste. 510
White Plains, NY U.S.A. 10601
Terms of sale
All items subject to prior sale. We accept check or money order in US dollars, but order will be held until
the check clears (except dealers known to us). Credit cards accepted through ABE. NYS residents must
include 8.375% sales tax and NYC residents 8.875% sales tax.
All items guaranteed to be as described and may be returned (with prior notice) for a full refund,
provided they are in the same condition as when sent. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
Domestic shipping by Federal Express; transit insurance is included. Rates for foreign shipments will be
quoted.
Will Steere
Seth Kaller Inc. (S-Corp)
235 Main Street
Suite 510
White Plains, NY 10601
914-289-1776
info@sethkaller.com
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Seth Kaller Inc., Scarsdale, New York, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 2 business days. If your order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.
Domestic shipping by Federal Express; transit insurance is included. Rates for foreign shipments will be quoted.