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ALS in German, signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8.5 x 11, December 21, 1937. Handwritten letter to Ruth Norden, who was responsible for translating a number of Einstein’s writings into English, including his 1938 article 'Why do they hate the Jews?'—Einstein's only public discussion of Hitler’s campaign against the Jews. In part (translated): "You have done a great translating job and it is factually better than the original. The community that you take interest in seems very likable to me, except for Lindberg [Charles Lindbergh], who hasn't shown much concern for the suffering of human beings. As far as Maderiaga [Salvador de Madariaga] is concerned, I am not quite sure whether he is an honest human being—so I'll have to add a question mark to him as well…I would also accept Andre Gide and Albert Schweitzer as well. Maybe [Ignazio] Silone as well…Is there any Russian out there that seems acceptable and has not been decapitated yet? I know of none, and neither do I know any Scandinavian, Dutch, South American, Spaniard and none from the English Colonies. Just like with Freud; probably only to be used as a one-horse carriage.
Looking at today's humankind, one can only notice with regret that the numbers do not make up for quality: if quantity would substitute for quality we'd be in great shape compared to tiny old Greece.
Finally, I have to express my condolences for your poor wallet since you have sent such a lengthy telegram. I was very touched and will show it to your potential husband to keep him from making the wrong decision; so please keep me informed." In fine condition, with a small repaired tear to the slightly trimmed bottom edge.
Einstein's letter seems to refer to his contribution to the Westinghouse '5,000-Year Time Capsule,' deposited at the site of the New York World's Fair in September 1938. As reported by the New York Times, the time capsule carried Einstein's original letter in German along with an 'authorized English translation,' evidently by Norden, in part: 'Our time is rich in inventive minds, the inventions of which could facilitate our lives considerably. We are crossing the seas by power and utilize power also in order to relieve humanity from all tiring muscular work. We have learned to fly and we are able to send messages and news without any difficulty over the entire world through electric waves. However, the production and distribution of commodities is entirely unorganized, so that everybody must live in fear of being eliminated from the economic cycle…Furthermore, people living in different countries kill each other at irregular time intervals, so that also for this reason any one who thinks about the future must live in fear and terror. This is due to the fact that the intelligence and character of the masses are incomparably lower than the intelligence and character of the few who produce something valuable for the community. I trust that posterity will read these statements with a feeling of proud and justified superiority.' The time capsule also held submissions by author Thomas Mann and physicist Robert A. Millikin, despite Einstein's other suggestions here.
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