Details
ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879-1955)
A one-page letter in German, on paper headed Albert Einstein, Berlin W. Haberlandstr. 5, and dated 11. IV. 30, to his uncle, César Koch, whom he addresses as "Lieber Onkel! Meine Lieber!" (in frail state, margins a little tattered, clean tear along one fold, another tear repaired with adhesive tape on verso).
In the first paragraph, he views his uncle's illness as being one of the inevitable problems of age. The most adverse experiences come with age, his uncle will have to suffer the worst a father can experience. But he has a more cheerful character than anybody else in the family and will get over these difficult times. What is important is not the length but the content of a life. "Diese Anlage ist das Beste, was uns die Natur auf den Lebensweg mitgeben kann" ("A talent is the best thing nature can give us on our way through life").
In the shorter, second paragraph, Einstein lets his uncle know that he and Elsa are fine despite their heart problems. They have "ein Holz-Häuschen in dem wir mehr Ruhe haben als in der Stadt" ("a wooden house in which we have more peace than we do in the town"). He signs the letter "Euer Albert."
A one-page letter in German, on paper headed Albert Einstein, Berlin W. Haberlandstr. 5, and dated 11. IV. 30, to his uncle, César Koch, whom he addresses as "Lieber Onkel! Meine Lieber!" (in frail state, margins a little tattered, clean tear along one fold, another tear repaired with adhesive tape on verso).
In the first paragraph, he views his uncle's illness as being one of the inevitable problems of age. The most adverse experiences come with age, his uncle will have to suffer the worst a father can experience. But he has a more cheerful character than anybody else in the family and will get over these difficult times. What is important is not the length but the content of a life. "Diese Anlage ist das Beste, was uns die Natur auf den Lebensweg mitgeben kann" ("A talent is the best thing nature can give us on our way through life").
In the shorter, second paragraph, Einstein lets his uncle know that he and Elsa are fine despite their heart problems. They have "ein Holz-Häuschen in dem wir mehr Ruhe haben als in der Stadt" ("a wooden house in which we have more peace than we do in the town"). He signs the letter "Euer Albert."