April 2018 Auction Ends Thursday, April 26th, 5pm Pacific

Stephen Hawking Signed Book From 1973 -- One of the Scarcest of Signatures

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2018

Stephen Hawking book signed from 1973, shortly before Hawking was not able to write his name due to ALS. Hawking signed this book, ''The Archaeology of the Industrial Revolution'', along with several other members of the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy at Cambridge University, on the occasion of an employee leaving his job as a computer operator. Hawking signs the half-title page, ''Stephen Hawking'', in stilted, but legible writing, below the signatures of other faculty members and below the gift inscription, ''With gratitude and best wishes from the friends of the IOA computer staff.''

It was at the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy at Cambridge where Hawking, as a research scientist, made some of his earliest scientific breakthroughs regarding black holes and quantum mechanics. Also in 1973, he published his important first book, ''The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time'' which is now considered a classic and has been printed many times over. It was also at this time that ALS was overtaking Hawkings physically, and he would be confined to a wheelchair by 1975.

First edition book, published in 1973, measures 9'' x 11.25'' with dust jacket. Light pulling away from binding at bottom of signature page, but overall in near fine condition. Accompanied by email chain of provenance originating from the recipient of the book. A fantastic item, captured during the brief time that Hawking's physical condition was deteriorating but his intellectual achievements were rapidly accelerating.