Lucerne, 15 July 1917

Name: 'Reason against passion!'
Brand: Lucerne, 15 July 1917
Price: 13000.00 USD
Availability: SoldOut

Price Realised USD 16,250

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USD 1,800 - USD 2,500

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'Reason against passion!'

Lucerne, 15 July 1917

Price Realised USD 16,250

Albert Einstein (1879-1955). Autograph correspondence card signed (‘Albert’) to Michele Besso, ‘Mittwoch’, [Lucerne, 15 July 1917, postmarked the following day].

In German, one page, 140 x 90mm.

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. 38

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Lot Essay

Passion always wins against reason.

Einstein has just seen Besso in Zurich, and refers to an intervening letter, apparently about the health and situation of Einstein's estranged wife, Mileva, and the education of their children, which they will discuss on Einstein's return to Zurich in 10 days: he resignedly sums up the situation as 'Reason against passion! The latter always wins, if it comes to a contest at all (proof: the experience which each of us already has of himself)'. At least they will have a nice chat. As for himself, the pain he felt when they met has now disappeared.