TLS signed "Albert Einstein," one page, 8.5 x 11, The Institute for Advanced Study letterhead, May 7, 1945. Writing one day before the surrender of Nazi Germany during World War II, Einstein recommends the "politically reliable" son of a friend. In full: "Dr. Joseph Castel is well known to me as the elder son of an intimate friend of mine. I have known him in Germany but am also well informed about his life after 1933 and about his activities. I know that he is politically reliable and devoted to the cause of the United Nations. Dr. Castel is an intelligent and practical man and an able physician. I should be glad if he would be offered the opportunity to render useful service." In very good to fine condition, with overall creasing, rusty staple holes, and several very short tears to the right edge.
This letter is dated only few days after Hitler committed suicide and the day before Nazi Germany accepted the instrument of surrender, a document signed at Berlin on May 8, 1945—a curious coincidence considering that Einstein, like so many Jewish academics of his time, was forced into exile in 1933 due to anti-Semitic persecution in Nazi Germany. He immigrated to the U.S. and was attached to Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study for the remainder of his life, becoming the symbol and leader of his cohort of refugee scholars. In the face of persecution, Einstein helped whenever he could and assisted many fellow emigrants. Joking that he ran an 'immigration office,' Einstein would make visa applications for other German Jews, personally vouch for refugees fleeing Nazi rule, solicit philanthropic support from other celebrities, and aid in securing employment for refugees around the world.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$150.00
*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.
