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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
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Lot Essay
'The only unshakeable things are the stars and mathematics': confronting the uncertainties of life in exile – and a joke about Hitler.
Since he last wrote, Einstein has fallen under the 'German boycott, which thank God I have honestly earned. In one month we should be off to Princeton. For myself it's actually all the same where I am, because what I am working on, whilst hard, does not make for heavy travelling baggage. My little Mayer [Walther Mayer] is coming too. But the sailing boat and girlfriends stay behind. H. [i.e. Hitler] has only confiscated the former, which is insulting for the latter'.
His most recent work with Mayer has been published by the Dutch academy (the Akademie van wetenschappen, Amsterdam). The future is all uncertain, though: 'What will happen, if we come back from Princeton next year? Will we actually be able to do that? What will it be like there? The only unshakeable things are the stars and mathematics [Das Einzige, was nicht wackelt, sind die Sterne und die Mathematik]'.
Einstein set sail for the United States from Southampton on 7 October 1933. He was never to return to Europe.
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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.
Since he last wrote, Einstein has fallen under the 'German boycott, which thank God I have honestly earned. In one month we should be off to Princeton. For myself it's actually all the same where I am, because what I am working on, whilst hard, does not make for heavy travelling baggage. My little Mayer [Walther Mayer] is coming too. But the sailing boat and girlfriends stay behind. H. [i.e. Hitler] has only confiscated the former, which is insulting for the latter'.
His most recent work with Mayer has been published by the Dutch academy (the Akademie van wetenschappen, Amsterdam). The future is all uncertain, though: 'What will happen, if we come back from Princeton next year? Will we actually be able to do that? What will it be like there? The only unshakeable things are the stars and mathematics [Das Einzige, was nicht wackelt, sind die Sterne und die Mathematik]'.
Einstein set sail for the United States from Southampton on 7 October 1933. He was never to return to Europe.
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 57
Sale 16447
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England, September 1933
'The only unshakeable things are the stars and mathematics'
Estimate: GBP 6,000 - 9,000
Bid amount
Buyer's premium
Estimated total cost exclusive of duties