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Lot #189
Albert Einstein

Albert and Elsa prepare for their "big trip" to Asia in 1922

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Estimate: $8000+
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Description

Albert and Elsa prepare for their "big trip" to Asia in 1922

ALS in German, signed “Albert,” one page, 3.5 x 5.5, September 2, 1922. Letter to his sister Maja on family matters, in full (translated): "I entirely forgot to write you that Uncle Jakob has given up the business. K. himself told me about it. None of the 10 crates of grapes that you set aside for me can be sent here, because they got ruined. Paul should send six of them to Mileva (Buchnerstr. 3, Zurich) and four to Albert Karr (Etzelstr. 30, Zurich). The boys are gone again now. The older one has become a real athlete, but somewhat dull and aloof, while Tete is a charming rascal, with a good heart and brilliantly talented. We spent a nice time at our cottage on the water. The big trip gets underway around 3 October. Elsa, who is healthy again, is coming along. There is great misery here, so that people are thinking about rationing, like in wartime."

The opposite side bears a note by his wife, signed "Elsa," in full (translated): "Warmest greetings. I have so much to do with preparations for the trip that it almost makes me dizzy. On top of that, a big dinner here at our place tomorrow, and a house guest from Holland the day after tomorrow. I have the feeling that I won’t finish. Warmest greetings. It’s too bad that you’re not in Switzerland any longer; we’re traveling by way of Basel and Geneva." In fine condition.

In the fall of 1922, Albert Einstein and his wife Elsa embarked upon a five-and-a-half month voyage to the Far and Middle East—the "big trip" referenced here—visiting Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Japan, and Palestine before returning to Europe by way of Spain. During the tour, which lasted from October 1922 to March 1923, Einstein gave numerous lectures to thousands of excited intellectuals. It was during this time that Einstein learned he had won the Nobel Prize in Physics, recognizing his 'services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.' In this warm letter to his sister preceding the historic world tour, Einstein discusses family matters—most notably his sons, Hans Albert and Eduard ("Tete"), who were then respectively 18 and 12 years old. A superlative, boldly penned Einstein family letter.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: September
  • Dates: #535 - Ended September 12, 2018





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