Sell or Auction Your Elsa Einstein Autograph for up to $30,250 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
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We have sold several Elsa Einstein autograph letters. Please see details below:
Historically important autograph letter written by Albert Einstein the day he renounced his German citizenship and turned in his passport to the German Consulate in Brussels. Dated 28 March [1933] aboard the S.S. Belgenland ship, Einstein and his wife Elsa write to Einstein’s sister Maja Winteler-Einstein about the dire situation in Germany, just minutes before they would dock in Antwerp, Belgium, where Einstein famously renounced his German citizenship.
After the Nazis seized power in January 1933, they raided Einstein’s home when he and Elsa were traveling to the United States. They even published his photo with the caption ”not yet hanged” and purportedly put a 5,000 bounty on his head. The day this letter was written, the Einsteins were traveling back to Germany, intending to live at their summer home in Caputh, Germany, before discovering that this home had also been raided. It was with this knowledge that Einstein decided to turn in his passport when they docked at Antwerp, and came to the heavy realization that they must now find a safe hiding place to live.
Elsa begins the letter, understandably agitated, with extreme worry for Einstein’s children, who she feels are in danger because of Einstein’s public denunciation of Nazism. Letter reads in full, ”Dear Maya [sic]! What were we thinking, believing that Tetel [Einstein’s son] were staying with you! We just found out that this is not possible. This was not clear in your letter. We had a report from [their friend Heinrich] Zangger. I find his description of Tetel’s state of mind very depressing. These are sad prospects for the future! – We are experiencing such deeply sad things. Maya [sic] – I just received a letter from the children. Tears keep running down my face. The letter had been given to a messenger for delivery, since all letters are being opened over there. Maya [sic] – these children are suffering terribly because of the horribly crass interview Albert gave in New York. Against my will! I was imploring him, on my knees. In vain! / Maya [sic], life is difficult and horrible. No matter what, do not write anything related to politics to the children, nothing of Albert’s interview. Oh my God, all of our friends either have fled or they are in jail.
The newspapers are censored. You cannot find out anything. Maya [sic] – what a time we live in! For days now, I have been so miserable and sick that I am barely able to drag on. We will be landing in Antwerp in 10 minutes. I wish that we were already ensconced in some quiet corner. And I am so scared during the landing, too!!!!! / Oh God!”
Einstein concludes the letter, his tone contrasting that of Elsa’s and seemingly accepting of their fate: ”Dear Maja, thinking that Tetel was with you was my mistake. It probably happened because you wrote about him in so much detail. Or possibly an unconscious wish [of mine] was behind it. He is actually doing fairly well but he is depressed and, in a characteristic way, will lose the thread of a conversation. / All the best! We will now look for a hiding place for the summer.”
Entire letter in German runs four pages on card-style stationery measuring 5” x 8”. Einstein’s portion is found on pages three and four. Single fold, otherwise near fine condition. A remarkable letter, imparting the visceral feeling of the extreme danger the Einsteins were in, and their bravery as Germany descended into Nazism. Sold for $30,250.
Historically Important Elsa Einstein Autograph Letter Signed From March 1933 While Traveling Back to Germany — “…We are now going into exile…We must not go to Berlin…Alfred cannot risk it…”
Historically important Elsa Einstein autograph letter signed, composed on S.S. Belgenland stationery on 22 March 1933, during Alfred and Elsa Einstein’s return to Europe from New York. Dated 22 March 1933, this letter was written just six days before the Einsteins docked in Antwerp, Belgium where Einstein famously renounced his German citizenship. This letter is significant in that it was previously believed that the Einsteins were intending to live at their summer home in Caputh, Germany before discovering on or shortly before 28 March 1933 that Hitler’s German government raided that home. As Elsa writes here, they were already intending to live in exile in Belgium as early as 22 March – a day before Germany’s Enabling Act was passed, and not intending to go into Germany. The decision was wise as not only had the Nazis raided both the Einsteins Berlin and Caputh homes, but they had even published Einstein’s photo with the caption “not yet hanged” and purportedly put a 5,000 bounty on his head during his time abroad. Sold for $3,345.
Fascinating Elsa Einstein Letter Signed About the Rise of Hitler — “…our eyes were forced open by Hitler’s arrival. My husband…For almost 10 years now…has realized and foreseen all this…”
Fascinating letter signed by Elsa Einstein regarding the rise of Hitler in Germany, and Albert Einstein’s sense, as early as the 1920s, about what would occur, leading him to advocate for the establishment of Israel as a home for the Jewish people. Datelined Princeton 10 April 1934, German letter to Elsa’s cousin translates in part, “…It made me so happy to see that you were a bit impressed by the events of that Sunday. In fact, I am sorry that you had not been present at the official reception of the State of New Jersey the previous week. It was especially beautiful in a way, since the keynote speaker was a real artist who had organized the whole thing marvelously. Now you are beginning to understand the general concept of the Jewish people, and you have a slight idea of Albert’s activities in that context. I am always so deeply moved by experiencing an event of this sort. Back in Berlin, such a thing would never have occurred to me. We truly used to be German to the core until our eyes were forced open by Hitler’s arrival. My husband has the gifts of a seer, there is a bit of the prophet in him. For almost 10 years now, he has realized and foreseen all this, and he has lived and worked accordingly. Thus, his advocacy for the further establishment of Palestine…” Elsa then writes about a family in New Jersey helping Jewish refugees before mentioning that Albert will be able to help a mutual associate by writing letters of recommendation for him. She also worries about her daughter Ilse, suffering from cancer at the time. Signed “Elsa” at the conclusion. Two page letter on a single sheet measures 8.375″ x 10.75″. Folds and light toning, overall near fine condition. Sold for $2,310.
Elsa Einstein Letter Signed From 1934, Shortly After She and Albert Moved to Princeton — “…There will be a gigantic jamboree in Newark…welcoming Albert here. It is a dreadful state affair…”
Elsa Einstein typed letter signed, composed on 17 March 1934 shortly after she and Albert Einstein moved to Princeton. In this sometimes humorous letter, the Einsteins are clearly not looking forward to a grand celebration planned in their honor, even though it was also for a good cause, to raise funds for “exiled poor German Jews”. Albert Einstein was notoriously uncomfortable with events honoring him. Written to Elsa’s cousin Erich, letter in German translates in part, “Of course I did not forget you, and I did receive your dear letter at that time as well. However, regrettably, regrettably, so much was going on at all times, that our meeting became impossible. This coming Sunday would be a poor choice too. There will be a gigantic jamboree in Newark, with the whole State of New Jersey participating in welcoming Albert here. It is a dreadful state affair arranged by the Governor of the State, and the celebration will last from noon until late into the night. First, there will be a monster of a concert, then a gigantic banquet. You can probably imagine how Albert feels about such an event, and how eagerly he is looking forward to it. However, since it is not possible to decline this sort of thing, he simply had to agree to it, of course. At any rate, New Jersey is very much looking forward to that day.
I would not be able to enjoy your visit if you came here that day. We will already be leaving for Newark at noon and will stay there the whole day, and it will be tremendously strenuous. You will be able to read about it in the newspapers. It is all for a good cause, of course. They want to raise funds for the for the [sic] exiled poor German Jews. The following Sunday we will be in New York at a great concert that will be given in honor of my husband. We will have to leave for New York at noon and stay until late at night, since we promised to take part in a Passover Seder organized be the Palestine Labour League…Today I had a nice little letter from Paul Moos. Other than that, however, so many sad things are happening there. A deluge of refugees and nobody will help. In Paris, in particular, thousands are in danger of starving to death…[signed] Elsa”. Single page letter measures 8.5″ x 11″. Folds, overall near fine condition. Sold for $1,109.
Elsa Einstein Letter Signed From 1933, Shortly After She and Albert Moved to Princeton — “…We will have much to tell each other, but not a lot of it will be nice, I fear…”
Elsa Einstein typed letter signed, composed on 20 December 1933 shortly after she and Albert Einstein moved to Princeton from Germany. Elsa writes to her cousin Erich, mentioning individuals in need of emigration from Germany during WWII. Letter in German translates in part, “…On Monday, we have a dinner invitation and expect a number of visitors as well; the day is completely filled up. This leaves Tuesday then, and we are saving that day for you. It would be nice if you could come here in the late morning, then have an unhurried lunch with us and stay until evening to share in a genuine Swabian supper with us. / I will see to it that we have no other visitors on Tuesday; I hope that I will be successful. Walter will have to proceed as follows: He will have to leave Germany as soon as possible in order to reach any American consul outside of Germany. From there, we will take care of everything; he will not run into the slightest trouble, this I can promise you. Why did you not approach us in this matter any sooner? We found places for both of Jenny’s young people, Robert and Lisa; we were able, even, to find a position for Lisa in an English hospital, where it is not easy to get in. Maybe Walter could travel to Geneva. The consul there is especially nice. He will have to explain in Geneva that he cannot possibly return to Germany, and then things will proceed quite smoothly from there. / We will have much to tell each other, but not a lot of it will be nice, I fear…[signed] Elsa.” Single page letter measures 5″ x 8″. Shallow folds, overall near fine. Sold for $978.
Elsa Einstein Letter Signed From 1934, With Copious Content on Albert Einstein’s Love of Sailing — “…Albert will contemplate everything from the sailing point of view…”
Interesting letter signed by Elsa Einstein, dated 8 May 1934 with content on Albert Einstein’s love of sailing. Elsa writes to her cousin Erich about a possible trip to Nantucket and Cape Cod, before ultimately rejecting the idea due to the dangerous sailing conditions there, as Albert “wants to be independent and splash around on his own.” With much more content on Albert’s sailing passion, letter reads,
“Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful gesture of sending us the map and providing information concerning our planned stay in the countryside. We have traveled to Nantuket [sic] in our mind’s eye many times. But we always abandoned the idea because Albert’s sailing would be too dangerous there. After all, Albert will contemplate everything from the sailing point of view. For him, the entire stay in the country means an endless sailing trip. Going to Nantuket [sic] island would be very nice, and to Cape Code [sic] even nicer. But sailing is a bit more dangerous there than at the place, where we will be forced to go. A great many people do sail there, but all of them have somewhat larger boats and usually take a boatswain along. He categorically refuses this, he wants to be independent and splash around on his own. In Natuket [sic] island and Cape Code [sic], he would be able to do a lot less of that than on Long Island. Last Sunday we were in Greenport on Long Island. I did not like it; I am certain that it will be sunny and oppressively hot. But it is supposed to be simply ideal for sailing. There is a gigantic bay there, calm and gentle water, and no cliffs, nothing that is particularly dangerous in this regard. So it will have to be some kind of jerkwater town like it on Long Island, and we cannot go where it is beautiful and cool, because either it will be on the open sea or something else there would make sailing dangerous. The problem would be solved if he took a larger more solid boat. But since he will not do that, I will have to thank God if he chooses a relatively cool place by the water…Unfortunately I hear very little – and nothing good – from Ilse and Margot. My life would be easier if I had them here with me…[signed] Elsa”.
Elsa’s daughters, Ilse and Margot, were still in Europe at this time, and Ilse would die of cancer two months after this letter was written, in July 1934. Single page letter measures 8.5″ x 11″. Shallow folds, overall near fine condition. With full translation from the original German. Sold for $832.
Elsa Einstein Letter Signed From 1935, on Albert Einstein’s Stationery — “…We rented a beautiful country house, very large and very stately…too grandiose for us, really…”
Elsa Einstein typed letter signed, composed upon her husband Albert Einstein’s personal stationery. Writing from the “White House”, their vacation home in Old Lyme, Connecticut on 10 June 1935, Elsa invites her cousin Erich for a visit. Letter translated from German reads in part, “Even without having received your letter, I would have written you today in any case to invite you for next Sunday. We keep moving closer to you in the summer; it started with Watch Hill, Old Lyme is the continuation, and next year we will rent a place near Springfield, so it will be more convenient for you…
We rented a beautiful country house, very large and very stately. We were tired of searching and took something that was too grandiose for us, really. The location is beautiful, and the solitude even more so. Just ask somebody in Old Lyme for the location of the White House, it is [crossed out] three two to three miles outside the village proper…”
Elsa then writes about her daughter Margot, a sculptor, before mentioning the “deep hole in my heart”, no doubt referring to the loss of her other daughter Ilse from cancer a year earlier. Letter continues, “…Margot stayed in Bermuda; it is difficult for her to leave that place, since she loves being there so much. She has a black live model and she is working with great success. All of us came from Bermuda directly to Old Lyme, having spent a week in Bermuda and having enjoyed it greatly…[handwritten] from Albert as well, / Your Elsa / Being here could be so nice, if I did not have such a deep hole in my heart!” Single page letter measures 7.25″ x 10.5″. Folds, overall in near fine condition. With full translation. Sold for $812.
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