Sale 15777
Einstein: Letters to a Friend Part I
Online 6 - 13 July 2017
Browse sale
  2. Online Auctions
Literature

Published in Pierre Speziali (ed.) Albert Einstein. Michele Besso. Correspondance 1903-1955. Paris: Hermann, 1972. No. 34



Plans for educating his eldest son – without consulting his estranged wife.

Einstein sends some publications for Besso to forward to a friend in London (using the passage through Switzerland as a way of circumventing wartime restrictions). He is mulling over plans for the education of his elder son, Hans Albert (who was about to turn 13): 'I would like to lodge him at my sister's [Maja Einstein-Winteler lived in Lucerne], as I absolutely do not think it would be a good idea for him to grow up here'. He asks Besso (whose wife, Anna, was the sister of Maja's husband, Paul) to see what the Wintelers think, suggesting a sum for Hans Albert's upkeep: 'But don't say that the request comes from me, so that they can refuse without embarrassment if the responsibility seems to great to them. As to my wife, no account should be taken of her in this situation – only of what is good for the boy'. Einstein is looking forward to seeing Besso in July: his doctor and his friend Heinrich Zangger both want him to take the waters in Tarasp [in the Engadine]: 'But I find it hard to arouse the necessary superstition'.

Additional Charge Details

Additional charges, including buyer’s premium, value added, sales or compensating use or equivalent tax, any and all shipping expenses, including costs, packing and handling, any loss/damage liability fees, customs duty, import tax, any local clearance fees applicable for your country, and all other applicable charges will apply.

In addition to the hammer price, the buyer agrees to pay to us the buyer’s premium together with any applicable VAT, sales, compensating use or equivalent tax in the place of sale. Please refer to our Conditions of Sale for further details on buyer's premium.

VAT: All lots shall be sold as part of the Margin Scheme unless stated with the Dagger symbol (†) or the words “Dagger Lot”, the Omega symbol (Ω) or the words “Omega Lot”, the Star symbol (*) or the words “Starred Lot” or with the Theta symbol (θ) or the words "Zero-rated Lot." Please refer to our Conditions of Sale for further information on VAT symbols.

You are responsible for any VAT (including any Import VAT) payable as a result of the sale of the lot. VAT charges and refunds depend on the particular circumstances of the buyer. In all circumstances EU and UK law takes precedence. For the purposes of this online-only auction, the VAT amount in the buyer’s premium for EU private buyers cannot be refunded. For buyers outside the EU, VAT may be refunded if certain conditions are met including showing proof of a ‘controlled’ export outside the EU within 30 days of shipment (for lots marked with the Star symbol (*) or the words “Starred Lot”, or with the Omega symbol (Ω) or the words “Omega Lot”, on Temporary Admission) and for all other lots proof of export within 3 months of shipping. For buyers outside the EU where items are shipped outside the EU through Christie’s Art Transport, you will not be required to pay the VAT at settlement. Please contact Christie’s Client Services on +44 (0) 207 839 9060 or by email at booksonline@christies.com for further information.

For details on private and company bidding registration, tax information (including refunds and exemptions), and CITES lots, please see our FAQs and Conditions of Sale or contact us by email at booksonline@christies.com or by telephone on +44 (0) 20 7839 9060.

Payment Information

You must pay the full amount due (comprising the hammer price, buyer’s premium, any applicable value added, sales, compensating use or equivalent tax, any and all shipping expenses, including costs, packing and handling, any loss/damage liability fees and all other applicable charges) no later than 23:59 (BST) on Monday, 17 July 2017. This applies even if you wish to export the lot and an export license is, or may be, required. You will not acquire title and own the lot until all amounts due to Christie’s have been received by Christie’s in full and funds cleared.

All payment must be made by credit card. We will accept Mastercard, Visa, Discover (including Diners Club International and JCB), American Express and China Union Pay (if the card shows the Visa or Mastercard logo) credit cards. Other methods of payment will not be accepted. Christie’s will only accept payment from the registered bidder – individual or entity. If you registered and bid as an entity in accordance with the Conditions of Sale and Terms of Use, the entity will need to pay for any purchases via a credit card issued to the entity account.

Provided that your purchased lots are paid for in full and funds cleared by the payment deadline, Christie’s will store your purchased lots free of charge until the relevant deadline for shipment, at which time purchases will be shipped to you at your expense and pursuant to the instructions you provided at the time of payment. You must indicate if you wish to have your purchases shipped domestically or internationally at the time of checkout. Payment for your purchase, including any applicable charges for shipping, and a provision of your final shipping destination, must be returned to Christie’s by the payment deadline to qualify for this extended free-of-charge storage. If shipping arrangements have not been confirmed for any items sold or such items have not been paid for in full, and funds cleared by the payment deadline, administration and handling fees may be charged at Christie’s full discretion. If such shipments can be facilitated, purchases will be shipped to the address you provide at checkout. Purchases cannot be delivered to P.O. boxes. Please ask for details from your customs agent, applicable government entity or other organization.

If you opt to collect your purchase(s) at Christie's, 8 Place de la Taconnerie, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland, please kindly email Christie’s Client Service centre at booksonline@christies.com to schedule your collection at least 48 hours in advance and to secure any relevant forms. Payment must be made online prior to collection.

If you do not collect your purchase(s) within two weeks after sale close Christie’s reserves the right ship them to you at your expense.

Should you send someone to collect your purchase(s) on your behalf, please complete a Letter of Authorization and send it to us at booksonline@christies.com prior to collection. Your representative must present a valid picture ID at the time of collection, such as a driver’s license or passport.

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