October 2019 Auction Ends Thursday, October 31st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2019
Physicist Arnold Sommerfield postcard signed at the conclusion of a note written by fellow physicist Paul Epstein. The men write to physicist Peter Paul Koch during a trip by Sommerfield to Caltech (where Epstein taught), in either 1923 or 1929, dated only 11 March. In German, letter translates, ''Dear Koch! / I am writing from an evening of entertainment arranged by Sommerfeld. We just now made a huge discovery. A couple of bottles of Rhine wine (which tasted very good), smuggled in from Mexico, bear the label A. Koch and Sons!! I congratulate you on the peaceful penetration. / Your P.S. Epstein''. Sommerfeld adds, ''Warm greetings A. Sommerfeld''. These three scientists would be on opposite ends of the political spectrum just a few years after this postcard was written. Koch became an active Nazi supporter and ultimately killed himself at the end of WWII. Born in Russia, Epstein was Jewish but protected by his residence in the United States. Sommerfeld was not Jewish and denounced Hitler's regime, writing to Albert Einstein after Hitler took power, ''I can assure you that the misuse of the word 'national' by our rulers has thoroughly broken me of the habit of national feelings that was so pronounced in my case. I would now be willing to see Germany disappear as a power and merge into a pacified Europe.'' Postcard of Mt. Lowe, California measures 5.5'' x 3.5''. Moderate creasing, else near fine. With full translation.
Drs. Arnold Sommerfeld and Paul Epstein Write a Jovial Postcard to Fellow Dr. Peter Paul Koch
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