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EINSTEIN, ALBERT. Three autograph letters signed ("Albert") and ("Papa") to Mileva Einstein-Maric, Hans Albert Einstein and Eduard Einstein, two addressed to the whole family ("Meine Lieben!"), one to Mileva with an additional letter to the children penned on the verso, n.p. [Berlin], 5 December 1919 - 17 June 1924. Together 5 pages, 4to.
5 December 1919: As a result of the inflation after the war, Einstein has been considering moving his family to a place less expensive than Switzerland. The money he is sending would be adequate to support them in Hungary [at Mileva's parental home]. Although "we seem to be fated to lead a sort of gypsy life," he will postpone any decision about moving for at least six months. "As a father, I would prefer that Albert not have to change schools...He should be able to complete his education in an orderly manner while he is the right age, and not think too soon about a profession. I only propose that he should study engineering. He shall have the time for it, as I did for my education." In a letter to the children on the verso, he promises to send the music that Eduard wants and hopes that he doesn't catch the mumps from Hans Albert. To Hans Albert, he writes about a model airplane which is not operating properly, discussing the correlation between the pitch of the propeller and the power of the motor. He mentions several of Hans Albert's teachers, men he had known when he was a student. He hopes to visit them when he travels to Basel in January [1920] for a ceremony connected with the founding of the Hebrew University in Palestine. 15 December 1920: Einstein regrets that Hans Albert has decided to continue his studies at the ETH in Zurich, a decision he thinks was ill-advised. In his opinion, he should have gone to Darmstadt, where there is a good polytechnic institute. He again speaks of the possibility of their moving from Zurich and adds that "the whole family could live better in Darmstadt than in Zurich." He would establish them there, giving them the same stipend, which in Germany would be worth twice as much as in Switzerland. "Don't believe that you can be happy only in Zurich. Things are much nicer and more comfortable here, not to mention that Albert and Tete would see much more of me... Discuss the matter with people who are not so fanatically obsessed with Switzerland. Your opposition to this move is so unnatural, that I am often reproached for neglecting my responsibility to you." 17 June 1924: "Hopefully the elephant has been born, that is, the house bought." Mileva is purchasing a house in Zurich with the Nobel prize money, and Einstein is pleased with the choice she has made. He remarks on the photographs she has sent and wishes her luck and "all the necessary tenants," who will "pay their rent, and not annoy you, or you them. I look forward to seeing [the house], the more so as its purchase came about as a result of my sacrifices." He is pleased that Albert is enjoying his studies, and looks forward to seeing them in July.
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5 December 1919: As a result of the inflation after the war, Einstein has been considering moving his family to a place less expensive than Switzerland. The money he is sending would be adequate to support them in Hungary [at Mileva's parental home]. Although "we seem to be fated to lead a sort of gypsy life," he will postpone any decision about moving for at least six months. "As a father, I would prefer that Albert not have to change schools...He should be able to complete his education in an orderly manner while he is the right age, and not think too soon about a profession. I only propose that he should study engineering. He shall have the time for it, as I did for my education." In a letter to the children on the verso, he promises to send the music that Eduard wants and hopes that he doesn't catch the mumps from Hans Albert. To Hans Albert, he writes about a model airplane which is not operating properly, discussing the correlation between the pitch of the propeller and the power of the motor. He mentions several of Hans Albert's teachers, men he had known when he was a student. He hopes to visit them when he travels to Basel in January [1920] for a ceremony connected with the founding of the Hebrew University in Palestine. 15 December 1920: Einstein regrets that Hans Albert has decided to continue his studies at the ETH in Zurich, a decision he thinks was ill-advised. In his opinion, he should have gone to Darmstadt, where there is a good polytechnic institute. He again speaks of the possibility of their moving from Zurich and adds that "the whole family could live better in Darmstadt than in Zurich." He would establish them there, giving them the same stipend, which in Germany would be worth twice as much as in Switzerland. "Don't believe that you can be happy only in Zurich. Things are much nicer and more comfortable here, not to mention that Albert and Tete would see much more of me... Discuss the matter with people who are not so fanatically obsessed with Switzerland. Your opposition to this move is so unnatural, that I am often reproached for neglecting my responsibility to you." 17 June 1924: "Hopefully the elephant has been born, that is, the house bought." Mileva is purchasing a house in Zurich with the Nobel prize money, and Einstein is pleased with the choice she has made. He remarks on the photographs she has sent and wishes her luck and "all the necessary tenants," who will "pay their rent, and not annoy you, or you them. I look forward to seeing [the house], the more so as its purchase came about as a result of my sacrifices." He is pleased that Albert is enjoying his studies, and looks forward to seeing them in July.
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