EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955)

EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955)

Einstein signs his scientific equations, noting that they are

 ‘From the graveyard of buried hopes’

 

 

EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born theoretical physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. A very fine, rare Autograph Manuscript Signed, Albert Einstein, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. The working manuscript, penned in bold, dark fountain pen ink, features over ten lines of scientific equations and calculations in his hand, with just one line of German text. Signed by Einstein with his full signature at the foot of the page, adding a line of text in his hand, in German, immediately beneath, 'Aus dem Friedhofe begrabener Hoffnungen' (Translation: 'From the graveyard of buried hopes'). Together with Elsa Einstein (1876-1936) Cousin and the second wife of Albert Einstein, married from 1919-36. T.L.S., Elsa Einstein, one page, 8vo, Bayard Lane, Princeton, 20^th October 1933, to a lady ('Chere madame'), most probably Juliette Adant, wife of Professor Arthur de Groodt, on the printed stationery of the Peacock Inn, in French. Einstein writes 'C'est avec beaucoup de plaisir que je vous retourne les petits feuilles signes. Mon mari vous remercie pour les aimables lignes que vous lui avez ecris' (Translation: 'It is with great pleasure that I return the small, signed sheets to you. My husband thanks you for the kind lines you wrote to him') and adds that they have only been in America for a few days, observing 'Princeton est une  petite Universite d'une grande charme en style anglais, une vraie copie d'Oxford. Nous sommes encore dans un hotel, mais en peu de temps nous demenageons dans une maison, qui est situee excessivement belle au milieu des grands jardins avec une vue splendide. Nous avons loues cette maison pour une demie annee. Nous voulons mener ici une vie surtout calme et tres loin de chaque publicite. Le professeur ne veut rien que faire son travail scientifique' (Translation: 'Princeton is a charming little university in the English style, a true copy of Oxford. We are still in a hotel, but in a short time we will move into a house, which is exceedingly beautifully located in the middle of large gardens and with a splendid view. We have rented this house for half a year. We want to lead a mostly calm life here and very far from publicity. The professor wants nothing but to do his scientific work'), further thanking her correspondent for all of their kindness, and also for offering to keep a trunk and small suitcase in their home until they return next year, 'Je vous remercie de tout mon coeur pour cette faveur. La malle contient des choses, qui sont de grande importance pour moi' (Translation: 'I thank you with all of my heart for this favour. The trunk contains things which are of great importance to me'). Whilst Einstein clearly created many such pages of scientific formulae during his career, they remain highly sought after by collectors, and signed examples are of exceptional rarity. Furthermore, the present example is greatly enhanced by both Einstein's handwritten observation (reflecting on the possibility of what he wished to have achieved with his calculations) and the fine accompanying letter of provenance from Elsa Einstein. Some very light, minor creasing to the page of calculations and a couple of very small, neat tears to the edges, one only very slightly affecting one small part of an equation. VG, 2

Juliette De Groodt-Adant (1892-1964) Belgian writer, wife of the Flemish doctor Arthur de Groodt (1883-1952).

 

In March 1933 Albert and Elsa Einstein returned to Europe from America and learned that Hitler had seized power and that the Gestapo had raided their Berlin apartment, confiscating many possessions. Landing in Antwerp, Belgium, Albert Einstein immediately visited the German consulate and surrendered his passport, formally renouncing his German citizenship. At the invitation of Arthur de Groodt and his wife (who counted Rabindranath Tagore amongst their friends) Albert and Elsa Einstein stayed for a few days at Cantecroy Castle before Juliette De Groodt-Adant suggested that they hire two cottages in De Haan, the Villa Savoyarde for the Einsteins and the Maisonette for themselves. The Einstein's stayed in the West Flanders municipality for six months before departing for London in September 1933.

 

On 3^rd October 1933, Einstein delivered a speech on the importance of academic freedom before a packed audience at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Four days later he returned to America with his wife and took up a position at the Institute for Advanced Study, noted for having become a refuge for scientists fleeing Nazi Germany. Einstein's association with the Institute at Princeton University would last until his death in 1955.