TLS signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8.25 x 10.75, on his blindstamped letterhead, Princeton, November 7, 1949. Einstein writes to Norman B. Gordon. Gordon was the son of Moses Gordon, an engineer who lost his sight in a 1931 accident. After reading a Braille edition of Einstein’s book The Evolution of Physics, Moses Gordon developed a keen interest in Einstein’s work and began a correspondence with the physicist that continued until Gordon’s death in 1949. The letter reads, in full: “I can feel with you your deep sorrow caused by the death of your father. He was very earnestly striving to reach clarity of understanding in everything. I saw this anew while I was studying his last manuscript. He has understood clearly the fundamental ideas of the special theory of relativity. But there must be a mistake in the first part of the considerations which led him to incorrect equations for the transformation of space and time coordinants [sic]. He rectified this in the second part of the manuscript, apparently without seeing that there was a contradiction between the two parts. The whole investigations can be achieved in a much simpler way which excludes the danger of mistakes difficult to avoid in long deductions. I am convinced that your father could have been a successful thinker in the field if he could have studied it in his younger years. I think you will want to conserve this little work to remember the devoted striving for truth characterizing the personality of your father. I am, therefore, returning the manuscript to you with my kind greetings and wishes....” Accompanied by Gordon’s original typescript, unsigned carbons of several of Gordon’s letters to Einstein, and several unsigned typed and secretarial envelopes from Einstein to Gordon. The items were previously sold at Christie’s. The letter has been professional deacidified and is archivally matted and framed with an engraved plaque and a page from Gordon’s manuscript bearing a marginal pencil notation by Einstein (“not logical”) to an overall size of 24.75 x 21.5. A few small marginal spots and light creasing to blank corners, otherwise fine condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA. Oversized.
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