Lot #158

Chaim Weizmann War-Dated Autograph Letter Signed to Max Born: “A strong Jewish State in P’ne is obviously of advantage to the British"

Description

“Things look a little better but the dangers are very great”—war-dated letter from Weizmann to physicist Max Born, relaying his belief that the British oppose a Jewish state in Palestine: “The Conservative Party are frightened of it; they suspect the Jews, they have no confidence. This does not apply to Mr. Churchill”

World War II-dated ALS signed “Ch. Weizmann,” one page both sides, 6 x 8, The Dorchester Hotel (London) letterhead, July 31, 1941. Content-rich handwritten letter to Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Born in Edinburgh, discussing English resistance to the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine and asking Born to connect him with the influential physicist Frederick Lindemann, in full: “I was very glad indeed to hear from you after so long an interval. We have just returned from an extensive tour in the U.S.A., where I was trying to do something for my own people and the general cause of the war. Your opinion about the necessity of Palestine for the Jews coincides with mine and with that of millions of Jews all over the world. A strong Jewish State in P’ne is obviously of advantage to the British and we have been preaching this doctrine for almost a generation to them. I am however driven to the melancholy conclusion that a large number of Englishmen, particularly of the Conservative Party are frightened of it; they suspect the Jews, they have no confidence. This does not apply to Mr. Churchill and to a great many members of the present Govt, but there are powerful reactionary elements operating against it. I am seeing Lord Cherwell [Frederick Lindemann] occasionally (very rarely) on scientific problems but I have never discussed Palestine with him. He is a close friend of the P.M. and a good influence and it would be most valuable if he could be interested. Are you ever coming to London? If so, it would be useful if we could have a talk and then perhaps see Ch. jointly. We shall now be staying here for the next few months and possibly in Nov. & on to P’ne. I hope you are well; things look a little better but the dangers are very great.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original hand-addressed mailing envelope.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
• Dates: September 28, 2024 - October 16, 2024

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