Description:

Albert Einstein
[Princeton, NJ], [October 10, 1952]
Albert Einstein ALS Dating About 1 Month Before Declining Israeli Presidency, Einstein the Art Critic!
ALS

A 1p autograph letter in German signed by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) as "A. Einstein" at center, and comprised of nearly 50 words in his hand. [October 10, 1952.] [Princeton, New Jersey.] Inscribed on watermarked paper with Einstein's address blind-embossed at the upper left letterhead as: "A. Einstein, / 112, Mercer Street, / Princeton, / New Jersey, U.S.A." The date is pencil-inscribed in another hand near the bottom edge. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. Isolated discoloration and wrinkling recto corresponding to adhesive residue and mounting traces at all four corners recto. Slightly unevenly toned. Else near fine. Trimmed to an overall size of 8.5" x 7." Provenance: Originally from the letter recipient, Jacob N. Jacobson.

Einstein addressed this thank-you letter to Jacob N. Jacobson, a Swedish-born professional chef and amateur artist, who had recently sent Einstein an artistic tribute, quite possibly a portrait. Einstein thanked Jacobson for the artwork ["künstlerische Arbeit"], praising it as "impressive and compelling" ["eindrucksvoll und überzeugend."] Lastly, Einstein hopes that Jacobson recovers soon from his latest illness/injury. According to the Jacobson family oral history, Einstein frequently dined at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel while Jacobson worked there, and this is perhaps how the two men met.

The letter demonstrates (as in fact most Einstein correspondence does) that the scientist proved a deeply courteous, thoughtful, and sensitive human being who knew exactly what to say and how to say it. Interestingly, this is not exactly how Einstein perceived himself. Just a little over one month after sending these good wishes to Jacobson, Einstein declined accepting the presidency of Israel in early November 1952, citing his lack of "natural ability… [and] experience [in] deal[ing] with human beings." It is true that Einstein probably felt more comfortable in the natural world, but his facility with language and in expressing emotions contradicts the statement that he was not good with people.

Einstein was offered the presidency of Israel following the death of 1st Israeli President Chaim Weizmann on November 9, 1952. A contemporary "Time" Magazine article from December 1, 1952 lays out the exact timeline: on November 12, 1952, about 24 hours after Weizmann's funeral on November 11, 1952, the impulsive Israel Premier David Ben-Gurion contacted the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Abba Eban, to ask him about Einstein's willingness to take public office. Soon after, Eban called Einstein on the phone to formally ask, and Einstein regretfully declined. Then, probably around November 12 or 13, 1952, Einstein followed up with a letter in which he included the above-mentioned quote as something of an explanation.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 7"
  • Medium: ALS

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