Letter from Einstein and his wife in a Nazi siege, auctioned for $ 30,250

Einstein sent the four-page missive to his sister Maja Winteler-Einstein on March 28, 1933 on board the ship SS Belgenland, which sailed from New York to the Belgian city of Antwerp, where he handed over his passport at the German consulate.

A letter of Albert Einstein and his wife, Elsa written in full Nazi siege and the same day that the physicist of Jewish origin gives up German passport has reached a price of $ 30,250 in an auction organized by the house Nate D. Sanders. (Read, was Albert Einstein racist and xenophobic?)

Einstein sent the four-page missive to his sister Maja Winteler-Einstein on March 28, 1933 aboard the ship SS Belgenland which sailed from New York to the Belgian city of Antwerp, where he handed his passport to the German consulate.

The Einstein went to the United States. when Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor on January 30, 1933 . During the boat trip, the scientist was informed that the Nazis had attacked his apartment in the German capital.

In addition, they had posted a sign saying "has not yet been hanged" and put a $ 5,000 reward for his head. (Read: Astronomers confirm Einstein's theory of relativity outside the Milky Way)

Less than two months later, the couple decided to return to Germany to stay in their summer cottage in the town of Caputh, southwest of Berlin, contrary to what his friends and colleagues advised him.

In the apartments of the SS Belgenland, the couple discovered that the shelter had also been ransacked by the Nazis, and it was then that Einstein decided to issue his passport upon his arrival in Antwerp before embarking on the search for a refugee. (Read: Albert Einstein's note with the theory of happiness, auctioned at $ 1.56 million.)

In the letter, written just a few minutes before arriving in Antwerp, as specified in the text, Elsa reflected his concern for the state of Tetel Einstein (son of Albert, the fruit of his first marriage) and remembered that all his friends had fled Germany or were in prison [19659006] " Dear Maya ", begins the letter, originally written by Elsa

" What did we think of when we thought that Tetel was with you? discover that this is not possible, it was not clear in your letter. (Heinrich) Zangger, his description of the state of Tetel seemed very depressing, there are sad prospects for the & # 39; 39; future! " continues

In the letter, which began with a starting price of $ 25,000, Einstein's wife explained that the marriage lives so "deeply sad" and that he could not restrain his tears by reading a letter from the son of the scientist, Hans Albert and Tetel.

" They suffer terribly from the terribly insensitive interview that Albert gave in New York Against My Vows! I begged Him on my knees. In vain! Maya, life is difficult and horrible "says Elsa in the text

" Whatever happens, but do not write anything about politics to children, do not tell them anything about it. interview, Albert, oh my God, all our friends fled or are in prison "says the woman.

Einstein concludes the letter in a tone that contrasts with that shown by his wife, perhaps as a sign of acceptance of his Destiny.

" Dear Maja, believing that Tetel was with you was my mistake, it probably happened because you wrote about it in great detail.Or perhaps it was a Unconscious desire on my part He is good but a little depressed, loses the thread of any conversation I wish you the best We will find a place to hide us during the summer. "

The SS Belgenland arrived at the port of Antwerp and many friends of the Einstein, whose Belgian kings Albert I and Elizabeth, welcomed them in the first place. the Nazi threat was too dangerous and the couple decided to return to the United States in October 1933 as did tens of thousands of other immigrants

Where appropriate, the Institute High School of Princeton (New Jersey), would become his home for the rest of his days. (Interesting: What were the cards sold by Albert Einstein in Jerusalem?)

Last year, the auction house itself organized bids for another one. 39; Einstein criticizing England for its lukewarmness with the rise of Nazism and to solve the economic problems of the Great Depression, the text was sold for $ 31,250.