Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Autograph correspondence card signed (‘Albert’) to Michele Besso, [postmarked Veringenstadt], 3 September 1917.

In German, 1½ pages, 140 x 89mm. Address panel bearing Einstein’s autograph return address (‘Abs[ender]. A. Einstein’).

Please note this is the property of a private consignor.

Published in Pierre Speziali (ed.) Albert Einstein. Michele Besso. Correspondance 1903-1955. Paris: Hermann, 1972. No. 39

Conditions of Sale
FAQs
This lot is offered by Christie's eCommerce SA

Brought to you by

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

View condition report

Lot Essay

A repaired watch, a long journey, and interesting discussions with a village priest.

A watch which Besso has sent him, evidently after repairs, arrived safely, and is now working correctly again. His journey back to Germany was wearisome, with a long baggage check which caused him to miss his connection: nevertheless, he arrived on schedule in the village of Benzingen (near Sigmaringen in Baden-Württemberg), where he is visiting the village priest (Camillus Brandhuber, a friend of Einstein's second wife, Elsa): 'Here milk and honey flow literally, and the priest is a very fine man', whose views accord very closely to Einstein's own, 'even on subjects which one would hardly expect'. Einstein thanks the Bessos in jovial terms for the care they took of his health when he was staying with them in Zurich, and refers to a projected journey with Elsa (whom he was to marry in June 1919, shortly after his divorce from Mileva).