Luke Batterham
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Lot 219•
TURING (ALAN M.)
'On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungsproblem'; 'On Computable Numbers... A Correction' [Extracted from the Proceedings of the London Mathematical Society, ser. 2, vol. 42 and 43, 1937]
Amended
19 June 2013, 14:00 BST
London, KnightsbridgeSold for £205,250 inc. premium
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TURING (ALAN M.)
'On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungsproblem'; 'On Computable Numbers... A Correction' [Extracted from the Proceedings of the London Mathematical Society, ser. 2, vol. 42 and 43, 1937], 2 offprints, the first INSCRIBED TO R.B. BRAITHWAITE IN TURING'S HAND on upper wrapper, the second with Braithwaite's ownership inscription, stapled in pale green printed wrappers, yapp edges lightly toned and chipped, first mentioned with wrappers split at head and foot of spine [Origins of Cyberspace 394], large 8vo, [London Mathematical Society, 1937] (2)
Footnotes
One of the most important twentieth century computer papers, in which Turing introduces the concept of a computing device that would replicate the mathematical reasoning abilities and thought processes of the human brain. In 1933, Turing had the rare honour as an undergraduate of being invited to read to the Moral Science Club at Cambridge - an event noted by the philosopher R.B. Braithwaite in the Club's minutes.
In a letter from Princeton dated 22 February, 1937, Turing wrote to his mother that "Braithwaite at Kings" had asked for a "reprint" of On Computable Numbers, and that "possibly it is making a certain amount of impression". Turing presumably sent the present item to fulfil the request.
Provenance: R.B. Braithwaite (1900-1999); Professor Timothy Smiley.
Saleroom notices
Please note that in the first offprint, the stapled text block is detached from the wrapper.