Rare vintage matte-finish 5.75 x 10 photo of Einstein taken in Havana, Cuba, in December 1930, signed in the upper border in fountain pen, "Albert Einstein, Pasadena, 1931." Marked "El Encanto" in the lower border, the name of the department store where the portrait was captured. In fine condition, with trimmed edges, and light silvering to the perimeter of the image.
In late 1930, Einstein visited Cuba for a day-and-a-half—a jaunt made while en route to San Diego aboard the Belgenland, which stopped in Havana before passing through the Panama Canal. There he received a hero's welcome from the leaders of the Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of Havana, the Geographical Society of Cuba, and the local Jewish community. Before attending any of these festivities, however, he mentioned that he wanted to buy a hat, since it was going to be a hot, sunny day. His Cuban hosts whisked him away to El Encanto, Havana's most fashionable outlet, where the owners presented their illustrious visitor with their best and most expensive Panama hat as a gift. When Einstein insisted on paying, they offered a trade instead—the hat for a souvenir photograph from El Encanto, taken by one of Cuba's best portraitists, Gonzalo Lobo. Einstein agreed, and the photographer placed him against a stark black background, highlighting his messy hair and perceptive gaze. In addition to presenting Einstein with prints, Lobo made a huge enlargement to display in El Encanto's shop window. The next day, Einstein continued his journey to California, where he would take his place as a visiting professor at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
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