LS in German, signed “Einstein,” one page on a 3.5 x 5.5 postcard, December 8, 1919. Early letter to important philosopher and fellow physicist Moritz Schlick, sending along an article by Robert Drill. In part (translated): “On instructions by my friend [Max] Born I am sending you some shoddy rubbish by a supposed philosopher who has adopted the democratic method. I don’t want to force my opinion on you, but I do not think that if I were in your position I would respond to it. It takes away time, one gets irritated, and nothing is gained by it after all. Or can you approach it from the bright side and enjoy making fun of it? Occasionally one is in the mood for that too.” Show-through to upper right from postmarks to the opposing side (all writing remains legible), otherwise fine condition.
Born had started a feud between Schlick and Drill (a reporter with the Frankfurter Zeitung) a few months earlier, when he sent one of Drill’s essays to Schlick, which Schlick then criticized in an article of his own. In the piece referenced in this letter, Drill praised Kant and argued for an aprioristic understanding of the law of the conservation of energy; as Schlick and Drill had locked horns previously, Born apparently wanted to offer him the opportunity to continue the duel. Drill attacked Born and Einstein as well, arguing against Born’s contention that Einstein’s theory refuted a theory of space and time presented by Kant. Einstein was far too busy to respond to such frivolities—he had become internationally famous earlier in 1919, when Sir Arthur Eddington performed the first experimental test of Einstein’s general theory of relativity during an eclipse. Though he did not feel the need to respond, it is not surprising that Einstein viewed Drill’s column as silly—he presented an unusual analogy involving sausage, discussing the grounds for the certainty of expecting the taste of sausage in future sausage meals. An exceptionally desirable and early letter by the esteemed physicist, revealing both his intellect and playful sense of humor. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.…(MB $300) Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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