Details
Albert Einstein (1879-1955).

Autograph letter signed ('Albert') to his sister, Maja Winteler-Einstein, n.p. [Berlin], 18 November [1929].

In German, one page, 274 x 219mm, on a page from a perforated notepad.



Provenance
Maja Winteler-Einstein (1881-1951) – her husband Paul Winteler (1882-1952) – Besso family.
Literature
Unpublished.
Special notice
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.
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Lot Essay

'My decrepit ego': being fêted in Paris, enjoying his new country retreat, and going 'crazy with letters'.

Einstein has been in Paris to give lectures at the Sorbonne, and also to receive an honorary doctorate: 'It was wonderful in Paris, even if it was the greatest stress that my decrepit ego could still endure. The main thing was that over there there was much understanding in evidence for my new theory, about whose preliminary completion I am very happy'. Another source of happiness is the new lake-side house in Caputh, ruinous though the expense was – and also his sailing boat, 'a gift from high finance! You will indulge yourself if you (hopefully) come next year'.

Einstein writes on the day of Maja's birthday, 'although I am completely crazy with letters, telegrams, telephone, visits...'. He has harsh words for his first wife, Mileva, who had brought their son Eduard to visit Maja: 'Mileva is a great pig, but I had no other way of sending the dear young boy to you, and so in this case too the end had to justify the means'. He wonders though at her awkwardness. He saw their cousin Alice (née Koch) and her husband Ogden Steinhardt in Paris, and they send greetings.
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