EDITORIAL METHOD l v
ESTABLISHMENT OF TEXTS
It is our policy to work initially from a photocopy of a manuscript text, and then to
perfect our transcription against the original, if available. In some cases, however,
we refer to photocopies of manuscript texts without perfecting our transcription
against the original. If neither the original nor a photocopy is available, we base our
text on a previously transcribed or printed version. If more than one such version
is available, we select the one that in our opinion agrees most closely with features
characteristic of the author’s style, orthography, and punctuation, departing from
the text only to correct unambiguous typographical errors.
In the case of published items, we take the first version published in the original
language as our primary text. Variations in later editions of Einstein’s publications
that were prepared during his lifetime are noted. If an original manuscript is
available, small differences are recorded in endnotes. If the manuscript diverges
substantially from the printed version, the dissimilar portions of the manuscript are
presented as a separate text, preceding the printed version. When no manuscript,
typescript, or printed version in the original language is available, a published
translation is used. An English translation, authorized by Einstein as the first pub-
lished version, is printed after the German text, if the latter is available.
Where a set of discussion fragments in Einstein’s hand exists, it will serve as the
source of a text rather than the published version of those remarks. Significant vari-
ations in all available texts will be noted.
PRESENTATION
Each text is given a number and an English title. A translation of the original title
is used, when such a title exists. Letters are titled by the name of the author or re-
cipient other than Einstein, whereas Einstein’s name is omitted when he is the au-
thor or recipient.
Published writings are reproduced in facsimile; all other material included in
this edition is newly typeset. Texts are ordered chronologically. Published papers
are dated by the date of completion, if known; otherwise, by the date of submission,
reception, or publication. If a temporal span is attributed to a document, the earlier
date determines its position in the volume. An undated text enclosed with or insert-
ed in another text follows the latter, unless evidence suggests an earlier or later
origin.
Editorial comments on a set of discussion fragments, which together comprise a
document, are set in a smaller font size to distinguish them from the text. The