Details
EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed ('Albert') to his first wife, Mileva, n.p., 20 November 1931, and an autograph postcard signed ('Papa') to his younger son, Eduard ('Tete'), [postmarked Berlin, 16 July 1924], together 2 pages, 8vo and 4to (letter with minor staining, postcard somewhat browned).
'TO BE DISTANT IS MY DESTINY'. The letters are mostly on banking matters, in the postcard asking Tete to recommend to his mother not to leave the 45,000 francs intended for a property purchase lying in the bank, as the Swiss franc is weakening, but to change it into dollars instead; in the letter, Einstein discusses Mileva's choice of a US bank, recommending Warburgs as he knows the owner. He concludes with a reference to the increasingly disturbed political situation in Germany, 'Here great things are in preparation. But I have made preparations so that if need be I can leave without falling into financial difficulties. You write that I would be far away from you, but to be distant is anyway my destiny, and it is best that way'.
In spite of Einstein's preparations, at the Nazi seizure of power all of his German property was confiscated, and he was to complain of the financial loss for years afterwards. (2)
'TO BE DISTANT IS MY DESTINY'. The letters are mostly on banking matters, in the postcard asking Tete to recommend to his mother not to leave the 45,000 francs intended for a property purchase lying in the bank, as the Swiss franc is weakening, but to change it into dollars instead; in the letter, Einstein discusses Mileva's choice of a US bank, recommending Warburgs as he knows the owner. He concludes with a reference to the increasingly disturbed political situation in Germany, 'Here great things are in preparation. But I have made preparations so that if need be I can leave without falling into financial difficulties. You write that I would be far away from you, but to be distant is anyway my destiny, and it is best that way'.
In spite of Einstein's preparations, at the Nazi seizure of power all of his German property was confiscated, and he was to complain of the financial loss for years afterwards. (2)
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