June 2018 Auction Ends Thursday, June 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/28/2018
Exceptional autograph letter signed by Albert Einstein in 1938, on helping Jews and other persecuted people flee German-held countries in Europe, even using his own funds to do so. Writing on 14 December 1938 to his sister Maja Winteler-Einstein in Switzerland, Einstein instructs Maja to leave Switzerland for the United States, and then writes of his work in helping others in danger. German letter translates in full,
''Dear Sister! / I believe that you should come over here soon to visit me, then wait and see how things will develop from here on. For this, you will need a visitor's visa, which the American consul will issue. For you, most likely the one in Naples will be applicable (or, on the other hand, perhaps the Swiss one, i.e., the American consul in Zurich). I am attaching a letter for you here that will help you obtain the visitor's visa more easily. As soon as you have the visa or at least know that you will get it soon, please let me know by when you will be able to travel. I will then take care of everything and will send everything to you at a suitable Swiss address that you will have to provide.
As a sideline, I am now working as some sort of itinerant relief committee and buckets of letters are coming in, whole stacks full of persecuted and desperate victims of the current situation. I sent some money to Marie Dr., and I am helping the Ulm [city in Germany] relatives with emigrating. It is easy for the young ones, but difficult for the old ones. People such as Paul Moos will have to be taken to safety in a neighboring country and will have to be modestly provided for. I will have to use a large part of my income for such permanent benefits and services. Gumpertz will have to leave as well (sic transit Gloria mundi [thus passes the glory of the world]). Only when you are dead will you be safe. The most difficult thing will be finding a country that will accept the old people, even if one provides a modest livelihood for them. That is how things have turned out by now!
Pauli [Maja's husband] will now become familiar with the life of an old bachelor as well. Maybe he could actually take in Marie, with whom I exchanged a few letters. Loving greetings to all of you from your / Albert.'' Letter runs just over one page on a 8.5'' x 11'' sheet. Separation starting along bottom vertical fold; overall very good plus condition.
Einstein and Nazism in 1938: ''...buckets of letters are coming in, whole stacks full of persecuted and desperate victims of the current situation...Only when you are dead will you be safe...''
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