![EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed ('A. Einstein') to [Carl] Beck, n.p., 22 September 1922, 'Mit der Rettung des Vaterlandes ist es leider doch wieder nichts. 300 Milliarden Goldmark sind 70 Milliarden Dollar. Es brauchte also 70000 Bilder von denen jedes eine Million Dollars wert ist! Wir haben uns leider um 3 Dezimalen geirrt, was beweist, in wie behagliche Stimmung uns der Champagner versetzt hat (Unfortunately the rescue of the Fatherland has again come to nothing. 300 billion gold marks equals 70 billion dollars. So we would need 70,000 pictures, each of the value of a million dollars! Sadly we were out by 3 decimals, which indicates what an enjoyable mood the champagne had put us in)'. One page, 8vo (210 x 134mm), on a bifolium (evenly browned).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2015/CKS/2015_CKS_10457_0049_000(einstein_albert_autograph_letter_signed_to_carl_beck_np_22_september_1101240).jpg?w=1)
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EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed ('A. Einstein') to [Carl] Beck, n.p., 22 September 1922, 'Mit der Rettung des Vaterlandes ist es leider doch wieder nichts. 300 Milliarden Goldmark sind 70 Milliarden Dollar. Es brauchte also 70000 Bilder von denen jedes eine Million Dollars wert ist! Wir haben uns leider um 3 Dezimalen geirrt, was beweist, in wie behagliche Stimmung uns der Champagner versetzt hat (Unfortunately the rescue of the Fatherland has again come to nothing. 300 billion gold marks equals 70 billion dollars. So we would need 70,000 pictures, each of the value of a million dollars! Sadly we were out by 3 decimals, which indicates what an enjoyable mood the champagne had put us in)'. One page, 8vo (210 x 134mm), on a bifolium (evenly browned).
A jovial note apparently referring to the payment of German war reparations: these were fixed in the pre-war German currency known as gold marks, at a value set on the gold standard at approximately 0.25 USD. The so-called 'paper marks' of the post-war era, by contrast, were already sinking rapidly in value by September 1922, having depreciated more than 500-fold against the dollar in the preceding four years. Einstein had spent the first half of 1922 on an extensive speaking tour of the Far and Middle East, including his only visit to the Holy Land. In November, he was to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for 1921.
A jovial note apparently referring to the payment of German war reparations: these were fixed in the pre-war German currency known as gold marks, at a value set on the gold standard at approximately 0.25 USD. The so-called 'paper marks' of the post-war era, by contrast, were already sinking rapidly in value by September 1922, having depreciated more than 500-fold against the dollar in the preceding four years. Einstein had spent the first half of 1922 on an extensive speaking tour of the Far and Middle East, including his only visit to the Holy Land. In November, he was to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics for 1921.
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