ALS in German, an outstanding Judaica specimen, signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8 x 6.5, September 4, 1938. Einstein writes from Peconic Bay to Mr. Braunstein. In full: “I feel I must thank you especially for the important help that you were willing to lend your namesake. The person is well worth it in every regard, as I have come to learn from reliable sources. Judging by our enemies, we Jews must be a very remarkable little people. That is not usually so obvious.” Superbly cloth matted with gold filets and professionally framed with a printed translation and a portrait of Einstein with his hands clasped in front of him, to an overall size of 26.5 x 23.5. In very good condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, mild overall toning, a bit heavier at edges, and a staple hole to top left.
In the fall on 1938, as the planet sat on the brink of World War II, Einstein was involved with efforts to expedite the exit of Jews from Germany. In July, delegates from thirty-two countries met for nine days in Evian, France, to discuss Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria. Ironically, German officials boasted how "astounding" it was that foreign countries criticized Germany for their treatment of the Jews, but no nation wanted to open the doors to any Jewish refugees with the only diplomatic effort to alleviate the fate of “stateless” German and Austrian Jews a failure. Only a small number of people, like Einstein, understood the urgency of the situation, as documented by this letter. One wonders whether he looked upon the countless nations that sat by as being among “our enemies”. Sadly, despite his best efforts, Einstein was able to get only a few Jews out of Germany and Austria. Fascinating words written during one of history’s most bleak eras. Oversized. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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