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Albert Einstein Autograph Letter Signed ("A.E."). ...
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Description
Albert Einstein writes to his friend and personal physician, Rudolf Ehrmann, playfully commenting on the thawing Cold War: "How nice it would be if it were able to last. — Well one can never know for sure what the goy is capable of doing and allowing."
Albert Einstein Autograph Letter Signed ("A.E."). One page,
8 1/2 x 11 inches; [Princeton]; March 20, 1953.A playful letter in German to his longtime friend and personal physician, Rudolph Ehrmann. The letter reads:
"Once I have ingested the learned medical book, and if my gut, my arteries and veins still allow it, I plan (of course only after having passed the exam with flying colors) to settle in NY as your dangerous competitor. Reason enough to thank you cordially for it. On the other hand, after your most recent achievement in the field of lewd poetry I have completely lost confidence in my ability to draw even with you in this rather slippery subject. -
I am happy about the [peace overtures] that Ike [Dwight D. Eisenhower] and [John Foster] Dulles make to [Georgy] Malenkov. How nice it would be if it were able to last. - Well one can never know for sure what the goy is capable of doing and allowing."
Thanks very much and my best wishes to both of you and to the Fuld couple - the latter in case you still haven't quarreled yourselves apart -
From your / A.E."
Primarily light in tone, Einstein somberly reflects on recent events suggesting a thaw in the Cold War. Joseph Stalin's death on March 5, 1953 marked the end of an era and brought an opportunity for potential change in Soviet policy. Malenkov's overtures were warmly received by Eisenhower.
The following month, Eisenhower delivered his "Chance for Peace" speech on April 16, for which much of the groundwork began earlier in the year. Einstein's joking but insightful jab noting that "one can never know for sure what the goy is capable of doing and allowing" would accurately characterize this period of the Cold War, in which the Super Powers made symbolic gestures but made little advances in resolving their grievances.
The lighthearted tone of the letter and Einstein's use of the word "goy" is reflective of the intimate bond shared by the two men. Ehrmann and Einstein first met at the University of Berlin, where they were both professors. Their relationship deepened over the years, with Ehrmann not only treating Einstein but also becoming a close friend and confidant.
When the Nazis rose to power in Germany, Ehrmann, being Jewish, faced severe persecution. Einstein played a crucial role in helping Ehrmann escape to the United States in 1939. Once in the U.S., Ehrmann continued his medical practice and remained Einstein's personal physician until Einstein's death in 1955. Ehrmann was present during Einstein's final moments and was one of the physicians who signed his death certificate?.
Condition: Flattened folds, with a few light stains along the left margin, and a small tear at top left with a bit of loss. Letter is laid onto another sheet, coming loose at top and bottom.
References: "Dr. Rudolf Ehrmann, 'Einstein's Pipe,' and Arthur Miller's Focus," by Saul Jay Singer; JewishPress.com.
Auction Info
2024 July 25 Historical Platinum Signature® Auction #6294 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
July, 2024
25th
Thursday
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