Details
EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Two autograph postcards signed ('Papa') to his son Hans Albert, [Berlin], [postmarked 16 March] and 26 September [1916], together 1½ pages, 8vo.
YEARNINGS FOR CONTACT WITH HIS ELDEST SON. Writing in March, Einstein begins with an explanation for 'the curious signature' in his last letter, 'I quite often absent-mindedly sign the name of the person to whom the letter is addressed'; he continues with arrangements for a visit to Zurich in April, or, if he is not allowed to leave the country, a meeting at Gottmadingen -- if he can come to Zurich he would prefer to spend time with his son outside the town 'because there are too many people I know in Zurich'; he congratulates Hans Albert on an exam result, but reproves him, 'You still make so many spelling mistakes. You must do better in this respect; it looks so funny when someone writes the words wrongly'. In September he writes reproachfully 'This is the third time that I have written to you, without receiving a reply from you. Have you forgotten your father? Should we no longer see each other?'. He has heard better news of Mileva from Heinrich Zangger and Michele Besso; he urges Hans Albert to write to his aunt [Einstein's sister, Maja], who is 'very fond of you all and never gets a letter'.
Einstein's promised April visit to his family proved to be a disaster: an attempt to carry into effect his plan to get away from Zurich with Hans Albert provoked a strong reaction from Mileva, and Einstein departed early, in anger. Hans Albert seems to have taken his mother's side, and his refusal to answer his father's letters dates from this exchange. The emotional stress caused a breakdown in Mileva's health, which was to last for the rest of the year. (2)
YEARNINGS FOR CONTACT WITH HIS ELDEST SON. Writing in March, Einstein begins with an explanation for 'the curious signature' in his last letter, 'I quite often absent-mindedly sign the name of the person to whom the letter is addressed'; he continues with arrangements for a visit to Zurich in April, or, if he is not allowed to leave the country, a meeting at Gottmadingen -- if he can come to Zurich he would prefer to spend time with his son outside the town 'because there are too many people I know in Zurich'; he congratulates Hans Albert on an exam result, but reproves him, 'You still make so many spelling mistakes. You must do better in this respect; it looks so funny when someone writes the words wrongly'. In September he writes reproachfully 'This is the third time that I have written to you, without receiving a reply from you. Have you forgotten your father? Should we no longer see each other?'. He has heard better news of Mileva from Heinrich Zangger and Michele Besso; he urges Hans Albert to write to his aunt [Einstein's sister, Maja], who is 'very fond of you all and never gets a letter'.
Einstein's promised April visit to his family proved to be a disaster: an attempt to carry into effect his plan to get away from Zurich with Hans Albert provoked a strong reaction from Mileva, and Einstein departed early, in anger. Hans Albert seems to have taken his mother's side, and his refusal to answer his father's letters dates from this exchange. The emotional stress caused a breakdown in Mileva's health, which was to last for the rest of the year. (2)
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