PHYSICIAN – Letter from Einstein and his wife in a $ 25,000 Nazi siege

A letter from Albert Einstein and his wife, Elsa, written in full Nazi siege and the day the physicist of Jewish origin gave up his German passport, yesterday reached a price of 25,000 $ at an auction organized by the Nate D. Sanders house in Los Angeles

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

The Einsteins were heading 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 "not yet been hanged" and put a $ 5,000 reward on his head.

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

In the SS Belgenland apartments, the couple discovered that the shelter had also been looted by the Nazis, and it was at that time that Einstein decided to give his passport upon his arrival in Antwerp before to look for a safe haven. [19659002] In the letter, written just a few minutes before arriving in Antwerp, as stated in the text, Elsa expressed concern for the status of Tetel Einstein (son of Albert, the fruit of his first marriage) and remembers that all his friends had "

" Dear Maya, "begins the letter, originally written by Elsa

" What were we thinking when we thought Tetel was with you? We have just discovered that this is not the case. It was possible, it was not clear in your letter, we had information from (his friend Heinrich) Zangger, his description of the state of Tetel's seemed very depressing, there are sad prospects for the future! "He continues. ] In the letter, which was sold for the same starting price, Einstein's wife explains that the marriage experiences situations "deeply sad" and that she could not hold back her tears while reading a letter from the scientist's sons, Hans Albert and Tetel.

"They suffer terribly from the terribly insensitive interview of Albert in New York.And against my wishes! I begged him, on my knees.In vain! Maya, life is difficult and horrible , "Elsa said in the text

" No matter what happens, but do not write anything about politics to children, do not tell them anything about Albert's interview. God, all our friends have fled or are in prison, "said the woman.

Einstein concludes the letter with a tone that contrasts with that shown by his wife, perhaps in sign of his acceptance of his destiny. 19659002] "My 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 an unconscious desire to I'm fine, but somewhat depressed, he loses the thread of any conversation I wish you the best We will find a place to hide during the summer. "

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

In his case, the Institute of Higher Studies in Princeton, New Jersey, would become his Last year, the auction house itself received bids for another letter of interest. Einstein in which he criticized England for its lukewarmness before the rise of Nazism and tackled the economic problems of the Great Depression.

The text is sold for $ 31,250