Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity was set forth in two papers published in the Leipzig physics journal Annalen der Physik in 1905. The German text was translated into English in 1923 by W. Perrett and G. B. Jeffrey; this version, with some later corrections, is presented in this book. The papers are annotated by Richard Muller, who also provided a foreword and an afterword contextualizing the work with a background of 19th century physics, and its later effects on 20th century science.

The formulas were all constructed by hand from their component mathematical symbols and serve as typographical illustrations for the text. A pixelated portrait of Einstein designed by Arion printer Blake Riley is the frontispiece. This image is based on a photograph taken in about 1910, rendered as a coarse halftone for reference, then handset in units of six-point metal type: three sizes of solid squares and one centered dot. Over 4,000 individual pieces of type make up the picture.

Production Details

• Edition of 400 numbered copies for sale

• Octavo, 10 1/2 by 8 inches, 80 pages

• Bound in full blue cloth with a strip of tie-dyed paper as titling label

• Arion Press publication #71, 2005