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Sale 101
Lot 163
Einstein, Albert -- Important Autograph Letter Signed: "It is doubtful whether I do not altogether end my connections here" (1879-1955). Nobel Prize winning physicist, famed for determining the theory of relativity. Autograph letter signed "Einstein," one page both sides, in German, 10¾ x 8¼", from his summer house in Caputh (Brandenberg, Germany), Sept. 19, 1932. To Wander Johannes de Haas (1878-1960), a Dutch physicist and an old friend of Einstein's, with over 300 words in Einstein's hand. Accompanied by a full translation. Einstein writes a long personal letter, in fine condition, in which he refers to "atomic mechanics," calls the Nazis "the new Governors" and contemplates leaving his homeland. In part: "…Ehrenfest makes me very sorry that he is so depressed through his feeling of insufficiency with regard to his post, which is objectively unjustified. I actually believe that there are few people who will be as well orientated as he will in our 'law of the jungle' department. Still, for everybody there is a limit where ability to learn comes to an end. I find that a special teaching post for atomic mechanics would be necessary in our universities; much more necessary than a teaching post for physical chemistry. Meanwhile, I also suppose that, for the present, the shortage of funds is making the creation of a new post, even for a limited duration, extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible. I even took the trouble to try what I could, so that these objective and psychological difficulties might be removed. It is impossible for me personally to jump into this gap. First, being an old boy, I already have enough on my back, and secondly I am much too little receptively skilled to be able to be serviceable to others at this time by the transmission of bits of knowledge…. Here, it is yet more difficult than with you and I also have no kind of influence with the new 'Governors.' It is even doubtful whether I do not altogether end my connections here. In any case, I have made myself quite independent, so that I may face anything that may come here with all composure. I regret the things that have happened to me from general human standpoints; what will there be as results, if the military economy starts again here! We feel our helplessness more than ever. Still, there are still good friends and fine people, so that we can feel at home on this earth."
Wander de Haas, to whom Einstein was writing, was married to the daughter of Hendrik Lorentz (1853-1928) a Dutch physicist who derived the transformation equations underpinning Einstein's theory of special relativity. What a small world! Einstein had reason to be concerned about Paul Ehrenfest's depression. A theoretical physicist whom Einstein considered the best teacher he had ever known, Ehrenfest committed suicide on Sept. 25, 1933. In December 1932, three months after writing this letter, Einstein left Caputh for a lecture tour in the United States. He never set foot in Germany again. On January 30, 1933, Hitler became Reich Chancellor and the downward spiral began. Jews were banned from holding public office, including teaching at universities. The Nazis called Einstein's theory of relativity "Jewish physics," sponsored conferences and book burnings to denounce him and his theories, and placed a bounty on his head. His summer home was turned into a Hitler Youth Camp. Einstein accepted a position at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, with which he remained associated until his death. He became an American citizen in 1940. Estimate $15,000 - UP
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