Ludwik Silberstein

This formal portrait of physicist Ludwik Silberstein, who publicly expressed doubt regarding aspects of Einstein's theories, is adhered inside a paperboard portfolio frame, which is signed in pencil by the photographer in the lower left. The exterior of the portfolio is imprinted: "Ashley and Crippen, Photographs, Toronto, Can.," and inscribed in ink: "To Professor Albert Einstein, most respectfully dedicated by Ludwik Silberstein (the object). Chas. G. Ashley (the recorder), Toronto, Oct. 30, 1935. " The interior is inscribed in ink from Silberstein to Einstein with the text: "Oct. 30-1935, Dear Professor Einstein, My friend Charles Ashley, having yesterday received a copy of your popular "Relativity" signed by you (& ornamented by the truly broadminded principle: "Selber denken und sich nichts einreden lassen!) has finished up this photo of myself and asked me to inscribe it and to send to you as a token of our respect and true admiration, and sincere affection to yourself-of both of us-Which I am, accordingly, doing herewith. Not that I believe a moment that my portrait is worth the honour of being left in your collection, but only under the impression that Mr. Ashley is a truly artistic photographer & has thus expressed himself here. I may add that he awaits impatiently your visit to Toronto in the near future in order to make for you-and your friends-a most excellent portrait of yourself. With best greetings and sincere wishes of rapid progress on the "long way to Tipperary", Yours very sincerely, Ludwik Silberstein."