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Read moreOld Lyme, Connecticut, 31 August 1935
Price Realised GBP 16,250
Estimate
GBP 7,000 - GBP 10,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
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'Part of the foundations of our science'
Old Lyme, Connecticut, 31 August 1935
Price Realised GBP 16,250
Price Realised GBP 16,250
- Conditions of Sale
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- This lot is offered by Christie Manson & Woods LtdChristie Manson & Woods Ltd
8 King Street, St. James's, London, SW1Y 6QT, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 2869
Lot Essay
'My main achievements have become part of the foundations of our science': on his enjoyment of the Connecticut coast, the slow progress of his scientific work, and the disheartening political condition of the world.
Einstein has at last found a way of dealing with his correspondence, which is now 'entirely impersonal and very extensive': Helene Dukas 'comes with a notepad and forces me to dictate'. In other respects, he enjoys in his country retreat 'an enviable freedom. The best thing is the sailing in the Connecticut river, which is in reality a long bay with the most picturesque banks. In overpopulated Europe, one can hardly imagine nature in such a wild and unspoilt form'. Summer is however nearly at an end, and he must return to Princeton with its 'greenhouse-scholarship', although on the bright side the Einsteins have now bought their own 'little house' there.
His scientific work is 'slow and gummy [harzig], after a highly promising beginning. In our main avenues of research in physics we are in a situation of groping in the dark, where each is completely sceptical about what another is pursuing with the highest hopes. You are in a constant state of tension until you finally sail off into the sunset. But I still have the consolation that my main achievements have become part of the foundations of our science'.
As for politics, it is 'so disheartening that one feels quite alone in one's own generation. It is as if people had lost any passion for right and dignity and no longer valued what better generations had acquired with unspeakable self-sacrifice ... The foundation of all human worth is ethics'.
On a more comic level, he reports of their private lives that 'our cat has acquired three children from a tom of rather unaristocratic lineage'; he and Elsa are reading Mark Twain together, and works by their stepdaughter Margot. He often thinks of Paul's father, Professor Jost Winteler, with his keen political insights. He is happy to hear that his son Hans Albert has visited Maja, and praises his character, though he unkindly compares his marriage to that of his improvident cat.
Post Lot Text
Temporary Admission Regime
This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime.
Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
Shipping Outside the UK
Please note that if this lot is to be shipped outside of the UK an export licence will be required. A period of 2 weeks should be allowed for the application to be processed.
Einstein has at last found a way of dealing with his correspondence, which is now 'entirely impersonal and very extensive': Helene Dukas 'comes with a notepad and forces me to dictate'. In other respects, he enjoys in his country retreat 'an enviable freedom. The best thing is the sailing in the Connecticut river, which is in reality a long bay with the most picturesque banks. In overpopulated Europe, one can hardly imagine nature in such a wild and unspoilt form'. Summer is however nearly at an end, and he must return to Princeton with its 'greenhouse-scholarship', although on the bright side the Einsteins have now bought their own 'little house' there.
His scientific work is 'slow and gummy [harzig], after a highly promising beginning. In our main avenues of research in physics we are in a situation of groping in the dark, where each is completely sceptical about what another is pursuing with the highest hopes. You are in a constant state of tension until you finally sail off into the sunset. But I still have the consolation that my main achievements have become part of the foundations of our science'.
As for politics, it is 'so disheartening that one feels quite alone in one's own generation. It is as if people had lost any passion for right and dignity and no longer valued what better generations had acquired with unspeakable self-sacrifice ... The foundation of all human worth is ethics'.
On a more comic level, he reports of their private lives that 'our cat has acquired three children from a tom of rather unaristocratic lineage'; he and Elsa are reading Mark Twain together, and works by their stepdaughter Margot. He often thinks of Paul's father, Professor Jost Winteler, with his keen political insights. He is happy to hear that his son Hans Albert has visited Maja, and praises his character, though he unkindly compares his marriage to that of his improvident cat.
Post Lot Text
Temporary Admission Regime
This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime.
Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
Shipping Outside the UK
Please note that if this lot is to be shipped outside of the UK an export licence will be required. A period of 2 weeks should be allowed for the application to be processed.
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Lot 59
Sale 16447
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Old Lyme, Connecticut, 31 August 1935
'Part of the foundations of our science'
Estimate: GBP 7,000 - 10,000
Bid amount
Buyer's premium
Estimated total cost exclusive of duties