TLS in German, signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Institute for Advanced Study letterhead, February 24, 1955. Letter to Professor Leo Balet, in Brooklyn, N.Y. In full: “I have read your manuscript with interest. However, I feel absolutely incompetent to evaluate the same. The reason being probably in part that so much is rushing at me that I no longer can meet the demands.” In clean, fine condition.
Leo Balet (1878-1965) was a Dutch-born German-American art historian and Marxist who frequently wrote about art history. In 1935, Balet and Ernst Rebling (under the pseudonym E. Gerhard), a music student at the University of Berlin, had published a study in the Netherlands about 18th century German art, literature, and music. He later taught art history at Brooklyn College.
Seven weeks after writing this letter, on April 13, 1955, Einstein had a seizure at his home and entered Princeton Hospital two days later. He had suffered from intermittent attacks of pain from a gall bladder ailment for the past few years. The 76-year-old scientist died in his sleep in the early morning hours of April 18, 1955. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$100.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
