细节
EINSTEIN, Albert. Two typed letters signed ('A. Einstein') to Dr Arthur Beer, Institute for Advanced Study and 112 Mercer Street, Princeton, 25 August 1954 and 10 January 1955, in German, two pages, 4to (backed onto card). Provenance: Dr Arthur Beer (1900-1980, see footnote to lot 79), and by descent.
EINSTEIN RESPONDS TO REQUEST FOR A CONTRIBUTION TO A VOLUME OF ASTRONOMICAL REVIEWS: in the first letter he pleads volume of work and other commitments, and adds 'I am also well aware that I have nothing especially valuable to contribute to the work'. The second letter reinforces this plea: 'It is not for lack of good will. But the objection to my contribution is that I have nothing clever to say. It's true that I have become some sort of authority, but not so much as not to notice when I say something naïve', hoping that his excuses will be accepted.
Einstein died some three months after the date of the second letter. (2)
EINSTEIN RESPONDS TO REQUEST FOR A CONTRIBUTION TO A VOLUME OF ASTRONOMICAL REVIEWS: in the first letter he pleads volume of work and other commitments, and adds 'I am also well aware that I have nothing especially valuable to contribute to the work'. The second letter reinforces this plea: 'It is not for lack of good will. But the objection to my contribution is that I have nothing clever to say. It's true that I have become some sort of authority, but not so much as not to notice when I say something naïve', hoping that his excuses will be accepted.
Einstein died some three months after the date of the second letter. (2)