EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed (''A. Einstein''), to Dr. Isidore W. Held (1876-1947), Princeton, 19 April 1944.

EINSTEIN, Albert (1879-1955). Autograph letter signed ("A. Einstein"), to Dr. Isidore W. Held (1876-1947), Princeton, 19 April 1944.

In German (typed English translation provided), one page, 280 x 215mm (a little minor soiling to lower edge and verso).

"Our eternal insolvable problem [...] is a sickness of the others and not of ourselves [...] as long as they do not kill us": a powerful and poignant statement on anti-Semitism, as Einstein thanks Held – a noted New York physician and philanthropist – for an unspecified book on the subject. "First of all I wish to thank you for having sent me the interesting book about our internal insolvable problem. It is sufficient to know that it is a sickness of the others and not of ourselves; what is important, therefore, is to avoid contamination and to maintain a good balance – as long as they do not kill us." Turning to one of Einstein's many private efforts to help refugees in distress, he writes "I had a visit from a Jewish gentleman from Eastern Europe who appears somewhat feeble-minded and conscious of his own helplessness. He came to ask my advice. However, what is really necessary is that someone become interested in him, to help him get along [...] The man is partially employable but needs some help since he feels unable to struggle through life all by himself."

Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN