Auction No. 102
Holy books, Chassidut, Manuscripts, Rabbinical & Admors' letters, Eretz Yisrael & Zionism, Americana, Judiaca & Prof. Albert Einstein
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- (-) Remove Letters By Professor A. Einstein & Other Famous Personalities filter Letters By Professor A. Einstein & Other Famous Personalities
Letter from Albert Einstein to Alexander Brenner, with an invitation to take part in a conference for the benefit of the Hebrew University. Princeton, 1954.
Specifications: [1] leaf, official paper. 21x28 cm. Typewritten letter with Einstein's handwritten signature. The letter is preserved in a thick wooden frame. 33x43 cm.
Content: Einstein sees the Hebrew University's success as having supreme significance for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. He mentions that the university has been close to his heart for many years, as the one institution of higher learning in the State of Israel, it has a great responsibility to future generations as an entity which will lead the State into future economic and political independence. Einstein is proud of the Hebrew University's accomplishments throughout the thirty years of its existence, in every field of knowledge. This despite being "homeless" and operating out of crowded and grossly inadequate facilities since the fall of the Mount Scopus campus in the War of independence. He writes that it is unthinkable that scholars of such high standards should be forced to continue teaching and studying in such unsuitable surroundings, and the university has therefore begun construction of a new quarters, which includes new laboratories and new classrooms. The conference, which was meant to take place on 19.09, gathered together selected individual Jews in order to look for ways to achieve American collaboration in the rebirth of the Hebrew University, and to meet with the University's deputy chairman, the prominent scientist Professor Michael Even-Ari.
Professor Einstein expresses great amazement at the Hebrew University's achievements, and reveals the extent of the hopes he places in it for Israeli progress, and mentions it having a special place in his heart for many years.
Background: Professor Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was one of the greatest physicists of all time. Nobel Prize laureate for explaining the photoelectric effect, developer of the theory of relativity, among the designers of quantum theory and more. He helped collect money for the Hebrew University and served as honorary chairman of its board of trustees. Einstein visited the university on Mount Scopus in 1923 and delivered a lecture on the theory of relativity. Due to his great admiration for the Hebrew University, he bequeathed his manuscript archive and the copyright to his works to them.
Professor Alexander Brenner, the recipient of this letter, was chairman of the American Friends of the Hebrew University on the west coast of the United States. He raised millions of dollars for the construction of the Hebrew University's new campus in Givat Ram, and many of the first buildings there were erected thanks to his efforts.
Condition: Fine-very fine. Fold marks.
"I shall be glad to serve as a member of the sponsor's committee for your forthcoming exhibition in New York." Letter of support from Professor Albert Einstein for the Jerusalem Art Gallery. Princeton, 1947.
Specifications: [1] leaf, official paper. 26x19 cm. Typewritten and signed by Albert Einstein.
Unique Features: In the letter before us, Albert Einstein is shown to be prepared to assist and advance Israeli art and support it.
Condition: Fold marks. Very fine condition.
Lot 36
Professor Albert Einstein, Regarding Fitting Way of Life. Imperial Hotel, Tokyo [Japan], 1922
Autograph signed by Professor Albert Einstein, a short time after he was informed that he will be the recipient of a Nobel Prize. Tokyo, 1922.
Specifications: [1] leaf, official paper of the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan. 13x21 cm. German.
Content: Stilles bescheidenes Leben gibt mehr Glueck als erfolgreiches Streben, verbunden mit bestaendiger Unruhe.
Translation: A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.
The Background to the Writing of the Letter: In October 1922, Albert Einstein took a trip to Japan to deliver a series of lectures. While travelling from Europe to Japan he was informed by telegram that he will be awarded the Nobel Prize of 1921. Einstein decided to continue his journey according to his original plan, and he was absent from the ceremony in Stockholm in December.
The news of the Nobel Prize winner's arrival in Japan spread quickly, and when he arrived he found himself being welcomed by thousands of people flocking to see him.
He was impressed but also a little embarrassed by the publicity he received and while he was staying at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo he tried to record his thoughts and feelings on paper. When a messenger came to his room to give him something, Einstein did not have a tip available, and he decided to make the most of his new exalted status and give the messenger two of his writings. When he gave him the articles he told the messenger to keep them, as their future value may be much higher than a standard tip.
Condition: Fine-very fine. Fold marks, tiny tears which do not damage the text.
Signed autograph from Professor Albert Einstein, a short time after he was informed he was being awarded the Nobel Prize. Tokyo, 1922. Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 14x18 cm. German. Content: Wo ein Wille ist, da ist auch ein Weg [Where there's a will there's a way]. The background for the writing of the letter: This is one of the two articles which Professor Einstein gave to a messenger in the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo in lieu of a tip, saying that it is possible that the day will come that they will be worth more than a standard tip. Refer to the previous item for more details. Condition: Very fine. Fold marks.
Letter from Sir Moses Montefiore to Dr. Winternitz, head of the Linz-Urfahr congregation in Austria regarding the dedication of the synagogue in the community. London, 1877.
Specifications: [3] pages, official paper. 20x25 cm. German with words and a prayer in Hebrew.
Unique Features: It seems that the letter was written by Montefiore's helper and secretary Eliezer HaLevi, and Montefiore signed it in English. On the third and last page, it is written (in Hebrew) 'Open our eyes to see the joy of the Holy City of Jerusalem and the glory of Zion speedily in our days.'
Content of the Letter: In his letter, Montefiore thanks Dr. Winternitz for his invitation to the dedication of the synagogue, but he must turn the invitation down due to the poor condition of his health. He sends his regards to the rabbi of the community, Dr. Kurrein. In the letter he notes that he is sending a silver goblet with the letter. He wanted to send a Torah scroll from Vilna or Jerusalem at a later date, after it was written, and he planned to write the last three words himself.
Sir Moses Montefiore [1784-1885], the famous philanthropist who dedicated his life to helping the Jewish people. He visited the Land of Israel seven times, despite the difficulties and dangers on the way, and in his visits he took action for the Jewish communities in Israel, who lived in harsh conditions of poverty and illnesses.
Condition: Fine. Fold marks. Stains.
Autograph by Marc Chagall with his signature. Paris, early 20th century.
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper, written on both sides. 21x27 cm. Yiddish. In the artist's handwriting and with his signature. In the letter before us, which was written when the artist was young, he mentions Vitebsk and gives addresses in Paris and Berlin.
The artist Marc Chagall [1887-1985] was one of the foremost surrealist artists, and is considered by many to be the greatest Jewish painter of all times. He was born to a Chassidic Jewish family in the Vitebsk region, which was part of the Russian empire (currently in Belarus), studied in the Academy of Art in Saint Petersburg, moved to the artists' quarter of Paris [in 1910], from where he returned to Russia [1914], from there to Lithuania [1922], stayed in Berlin and returned to Paris [1923], he escaped from the Nazis to the United States [1941] and returned to France [1949].
Condition: Fine. Fold marks, filing holes, slight stains.
[2] letters from the artist Hermann Struck, one in his handwriting and the other typewritten. Late 1920's.
* Specifications: [1] leaf, official paper with the artist's address in Israel and in Berlin. 14x22 cm. August 24, 1928. German. Written in Hermann Struck's handwriting and with his signature.
Content: In this letter Struck asks the recipient to attach silver plate with small nails added to the frame and to send the picture to David Yellin or Jesaias Press. At the end of the letter, Struck notifies that he intends to return after Succot.
Condition: Fine. Aging stains, fold marks, tiny hole in the margins of the letter without damage to text.
* Specifications: [1] leaf, paper with the artist's name embossed at the top of the leaf. 15x20 cm. [Land of Israel], January 9, 1929. German. Typewritten. Signed by Struck by hand.
Content: Struck writes to Mr. Shor abut his correspondence with Mrs. Epstein in New York. She reported to him that due to the financial catastrophe in America, only one picture was sold in the exhibition there, and that she will try to display the exhibition in another center of Jewish art in New York. An addition from Mrs. Mali Struck to Mrs. Shor is at the end of the letter.
Condition: Moderate - fine. Fold marks, aging stains.
Hermann Struck [1876-1944], German-Jewish painter and engraver artist, born to an Orthodox family in Berlin, Zionist and one of the founders of the Mizrachi, he studied in the Art Academy in Berlin and Holland. Chagall, Max Liebermann, Jozef Israëls were just a few of his students. He immigrated to Israel in 1922, but continued to visit his studio in Berlin annually, until 1933.
* Letter regarding business matters to "Messrs. de Rothschild, Paris," Amsterdam, August 6, 1842.
Specifications: [2] paper leaves. 21x27 cm. The two leaves are attached, the letter was written on 3 pages and the fourth page was used an envelope. French.
* Payment request with details. Odessa, 1859. Specifications: [2] paper leaves. 21x27 cm. The two leaves are attached, the letter is written on one leaf and the second leaf was used as an envelope. German.
Unique Features: The line of the date: "Odessa 29/June 10 1859."
Signed: Ephrussi. Envelope to "Messrs. the Rothschild Brothers, Paris." (German). Stamp one: "From Russia" (German). Stamp two: "Prussia, June 19 59" (French).
* Business letter to Rothschild in Paris. Berlin, 1861.
Specifications: [2] paper leaves. 22x28 cm. The two leaves are attached, the letter is written on one leaf and the second was used as an envelope. German.
* Envelope addressed to "Messrs. de Rothschild, Paris." According to the postal stamp, the letter was sent from Berlin on May 11, 1866.
Specifications: [2] paper leaves. 22x28 cm. The two leaves are attached, the letter is written on one leaf and the second leaf was used as an envelope. German.
Unique Features: Detailed commercial report. It is mentioned that there is great commotion politically, many private individuals want to sell their shares.
Background: On May 7, an assassination attempt was made on Bismarck's life, the assassin wanted to prevent the war between Prussia and Austria. Bismarck was lightly wounded. The war began on June 14 and ended with Austrian defeat.
The letters' condition: Very fine. Fold marks.