Details
ILSA & ALBERT EINSTEIN
A 4-page autograph letter in German, dated Caputh 26 Okt. [? 1929], to Albert's maternal uncle, César Koch, the first 3 pages written and signed by Ilsa [his step-daughter], the final page of 18 lines in Einstein's hand, signed "von Deinem Albert" (with a short, clean tear to one fold, another short tear repaired with adhesive tape).
Ilsa belatedly congratulates uncle César on the birth of a grandson, and tells him the family have been living for some months now in Caputh near Potsdam, where they have built a house in the country. They are going to the town flat soon and intend to spend their winters there. Albert feels happy and relaxed in the country. However, there is no shortage of guests, who seek and find him where ever he tries to hide. Why didn't he tell her about the changes in Susannah's life? She suggests Suzannah [César's daughter ?] visits Berlin. Albert is going to Paris soon to receive a doctorate from the university there ... she mentions Alice visiting grandmother's grave in Tannstadt and how her mother has enjoined her to look after it.
Einstein's contribution to the letter begins: "Ich gratuliere Dir herzlich zum frisch gebackenen Enkel" ("I congratulate you on your freshly-baked grandchild"). He too might have been a grandpa if it weren't for Albert's [his elder son's] misalliance. He is pleased to hear about Susannah's divorce. He did not find the husband an unalloyed pleasure and you only live once. She is such a sweet person that she deserves better. "Manchmal sind nämlich Männer ohne Auto erfeulicher" ("Sometimes men without cars are better").
