1922. Albert Einstein works towards the independence of the land of Israel.
"You passed me a small leather briefcase in the corridor, the contents of which mean something precious to me: liberation and independence."
80.000€
"You passed me a small leather briefcase in the corridor, the contents of which mean something precious to me: liberation and independence."
80.000€
Albert Einstein (1879.1955)
Autographed letter signed to Baron Edmond de Rothschild.
A half page in quarto (279 x 216 mm) in black ink.
Unpublished letter and only known letter to Baron de Rothschild.
Berlin. April 17, 1922.
"You passed me a small leather briefcase in the corridor, the contents of which mean something precious to me: liberation and independence."
Albert Einstein's Zionist cause. An important letter of thanks from Einstein to one of the most ardent defenders of the Jewish ideal, Baron Rothschild. The latter, a Zionist philanthropist since the end of the 19th century, had just given the scientist a substantial sum of money, a symbol for Einstein of "liberation and independence."
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"Most respected Mr. Baron Rothschild! My visit to you will remain forever etched in my memory. Your words as a great Jewish leader, whose intelligence is entirely at the service of his kindness, will accompany me forever , as will your generous gesture, which completely overwhelms me."
You handed me a small leather briefcase in the corridor, the contents of which mean something precious to me: liberation and independence. I thank you with the assurance that I will remain mindful of the responsibility this gift brings. With the expression of my profound admiration. Yours most devotedly, A. Einstein.
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At the dawn of the 1920s, Einstein—internationally admired for his scientific discoveries—was approached by Chaim Weizmann, leader of the World Zionist Organization, to raise the necessary funds to support the Jewish people and their resettlement in Palestinian lands. The scientist devoted himself wholeheartedly to this cause and, throughout 1921, undertook a vast fundraising tour across the United States, appealing for unwavering support for the Jewish cause. It was during this time that he met, in Paris on April 7, 1922, a staunch Zionist convert, Baron Edmond de Rothschild (1845–1934). “Yesterday, I visited Rothschild, who gave me a briefcase full of money. A shrewd man,” he confided to his wife, Elsa, the following day.
This letter of thanks from Einstein – the only known one addressed to Rothschild, which remained unpublished – was transmitted through his friend Maurice Solovine. Indeed, Einstein, having returned to Berlin, had misplaced the philanthropist's address.
Original version : “ Hoch verehrter Herr Baron Rothschild! Der Besuch in Ihrem Hause wird mir zeitlebens unvergesslich bleiben. Die Worte des grossen jüdischen Führers, dessen Klugheit ganz im Dienste seines guten Herzens steht, werden mir immer gegenwärtig sein, ebenso die gütige Anerkennung, mit welcher Sie mich ganz beschämten. Auf dem Corridor übergaben Sie mir ein ledernes Täschchen, dessen Inhalt für mich hostbare Befreiung und Unabhängigkeit bedeutet. Ich danke Ihnen mit der Versicherung, dass ich ich mir der Verantwortung bewusst bleiben werde, die dies grosse Geschenk bedeutet. Mit dem Ausdruck meiner tiefen Verehrung Ihr ganz ergebener A. Einstein