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EINSTEIN, Albert. Autograph letter signed ("A. Einstein") to Carl Beck, 22 September 1922. 1 page, 8vo, age-toned. Framed. In German.
Details
EINSTEIN, Albert. Autograph letter signed ("A. Einstein") to Carl Beck, 22 September 1922. 1 page, 8vo, age-toned. Framed. In German.
CHAMPAGNE, FOLLOWED BY THE COLD HARD TRUTH OF MATHEMATICS
A light-hearted note in which Einstein reconsiders plans he had hatched over dinner with Dr. Carl Beck to pay off Germany's World War I reparations by selling off artworks: "Unfortunately the rescue of the Fatherland has once again come to naught. 300 billion goldmark equals 70 billion dollars. It would therefore require 70,000 paintings, each of which is worth $1,000,000! We, I am sorry to say, only made a mistake of 3 decimal points, which shows what an enjoyable mood the champagne put us. A cheery goodbye..." Behind the humor was an important issue: Einstein's hostile attitude towards German nationalism and his opposition to the baleful effects of militarism. He left the country at age 16 to avoid compulsory military service, returning to take up his professorship at the University of Berlin. In 1914 he signed a manifesto denouncing Germany's aggression and in the 1920s became a vocal opponent of arms production and military conscription. The growing Nazi threat in the late 1920s and early 1930s compelled him to give up on the Fatherland forever in 1932.
CHAMPAGNE, FOLLOWED BY THE COLD HARD TRUTH OF MATHEMATICS
A light-hearted note in which Einstein reconsiders plans he had hatched over dinner with Dr. Carl Beck to pay off Germany's World War I reparations by selling off artworks: "Unfortunately the rescue of the Fatherland has once again come to naught. 300 billion goldmark equals 70 billion dollars. It would therefore require 70,000 paintings, each of which is worth $1,000,000! We, I am sorry to say, only made a mistake of 3 decimal points, which shows what an enjoyable mood the champagne put us. A cheery goodbye..." Behind the humor was an important issue: Einstein's hostile attitude towards German nationalism and his opposition to the baleful effects of militarism. He left the country at age 16 to avoid compulsory military service, returning to take up his professorship at the University of Berlin. In 1914 he signed a manifesto denouncing Germany's aggression and in the 1920s became a vocal opponent of arms production and military conscription. The growing Nazi threat in the late 1920s and early 1930s compelled him to give up on the Fatherland forever in 1932.