Sought-after fountain pen signature and inscription, “Herr Dr. Diamond, Albert Einstein, 1934,” on an off-white 3 x 1.5 card. A uniform block of moderate toning from previous display and irregularly trimmed edges, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a striking unsigned matte-finish 7 x 9 portrait from the period, showing the renowned physicist in a wonderful, classic pose. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=160
Striking vintage matte-finish 13.5 x 16.5 portrait of Einstein seated at a table with astronomer Charles Edward St. John, signed in the lower right in black ink, “Albert Einstein, Pasadena, 1931” and “Charles E. St. John.” Also signed in the lower left by the photographer, “Portrait by E. Willard Spurr, Pasadena, Calif., Feb. 1931.” Archivally matted and framed under UV plexiglass in an attractive gold-and-black wooden frame to an overall size of 23 x 27. In very fine, essentially flawless condition, with signatures as crisp and bold as the day they were signed. Originates from the estate of Spurr’s son, the famous Hollywood photographer Melbourne Spurr.
http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=163
Unique ANS in German signed, “A Einstein” on the reverse of a 3.5 x 5.5 postcard picturing the Red Star Liner Belgenland, [near Jerusalem, c. February 5, 1923]. Einstein writes to Zionist leader Arthur Ruppin, in full (translated): “To my dear Mr. Ruppin, We are having unforgettable days in Palestine. With the sun shining, in cheerful company. Your wife is standing next to me and looking at what I am writing about her. She is counting the days until you come back.” Einstein’s writing is below an ANS by Ruppin’s wife, Hanna, which reads in full (translated): “Dear Arthur, A pleasant tour of the city. Included is a picture by Prof. Einstein.” On the front of the postcard, Einstein has added a delightful self-portrait above the image of the ship and signed it, “A. Einstein” below, together with a portrait, also in his hand, of “Frau Ruppin.” Above the drawings, he added, “Jerusalem,” and “Heiligenschein,” [halo], with an arrow pointing to his image. Einstein’s depiction of himself as a rotund, almost comical figure stands in stark contrast to the elegantly dressed “Frau Ruppin” with her stylish hat, shapely figure and umbrella. Light horizontal crease with a minor tear at left margin does not affect the drawings or Einstein’s note on the reverse, minor toned spot below the address line, otherwise fine condition.
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http://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=2152
TLS signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 7.5 x 9.5, Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists letterhead, April 24, 1947. Letter to F. J. Koster. In full: “I send you my sincere thanks and those of my colleagues on the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists for the generous check in support of our work recently received from you through the Crocker Bank. I am grateful for the encouragement given our campaign by the meetings held recently in San Francisco. The resulting financial support should make possible a considerable extension of our work in California.” Attractively double-matted and framed with a portrait of Einstein to an overall size of 22.5 x 18.5. In fine condition, with intersecting folds. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Einstein personally established the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists to warn the public of the dangers associated with the development of nuclear weapons, promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and ultimately work towards world peace. The committee consisted of eight prominent figures, all of whom had been directly or indirectly involved in the creation of the atomic bomb; four had worked directly on the Manhattan Project. Most members gave lecture tours throughout the country to promote their message of peace, one of which seems to have inspired a San Franciscan audience member to donate to their cause. A wonderful letter demonstrative of Einstein’s political voice in the wake of a chaos caused by science. RR Auction COA.
http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=204
Lengthy ALS in German, signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8.5 x 11, March 27, 1940. Letter to Helene Hertz, the widow of Paul Hertz. In full (translated): “With utmost regret I learned of the bitter loss you have suffered; this, after all the other difficulties and hardships that fate has brought you. Your husband’s work often impressed me with its enlightening clarity, and I don’t believe it was ever accorded the proper recognition. This is probably related to the fact that in this period, which is transitional in regard to science as well, the quest for new forms is deemed more urgent than the pursuit of clarity. I hope that your excellent sons will provide you with comfort and support in your hard life. I would also like to tell you, on this sad occasion, that I will gladly make every effort to be of service to you at any time, and I urge you to let me know if you see any way that I can put in a good word for you. Jews, especially, in this country are glad to do me a favor, if it is not too difficult for them.” In fine condition, with intersecting folds.
This compassionate letter was written three days after the passing of Paul Hertz, a fellow physicist who focused his efforts on electron theory and the foundations of statistical mechanics. These studies led him into contact with Einstein around 1910 after Hertz published some critical remarks on Einstein’s work in the subject. Despite the initial combative intellectual relationship, they grew to become friends with great respect for each others’ work—in 1915, Einstein used Hertz’s suggestions as a stepping stone in resolving the ‘hole argument,’ a paradox that troubled him while developing his famous field equations to describe the general theory of relativity. Einstein’s assertion in this letter that Hertz was never afforded the recognition he deserved is a common belief among scholars today—his contributions to an array of fields, including physics, mathematics, logic, and philosophy, have served as a foundation for the works of intellectuals that remain more well known today, such as Einstein and Gerhard Gentzen. With excellent content and atypical length, this handwritten letter is of the utmost desirability. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=207
Striking vintage matte-finish 13.5 x 16.5 portrait of Einstein seated at a table with astronomer Charles Edward St. John, signed in the lower right in black ink, “Albert Einstein, Pasadena, 1931” and “Charles E. St. John.” Also signed in the lower left by the photographer, “Portrait by E. Willard Spurr, Pasadena, Calif., Feb. 1931.” Archivally matted and framed under UV plexiglass in an attractive gold-and-black wooden frame to an overall size of 23 x 27. In very fine, essentially flawless condition, with signatures as crisp and bold as the day they were signed. Originates from the estate of Spurr’s son, the famous Hollywood photographer Melbourne Spurr.
In 1931, Einstein took his first visiting professorship position at Caltech in Pasadena. He was greatly impressed with the research being done at the nearby Mount Wilson Observatory—which housed the world’s largest telescope at the time—and the theoretical processing of its astronomical discoveries. During his time in Pasadena, Einstein attended various lectures in astronomy and astrophysics and himself delivered a lecture on his Unified Field Theory, on which he had been working since 1915. In this extraordinary photo, Professor Einstein is shown with astronomer Charles E. St. John, a member of the Mount Wilson staff since 1908 who was busy at work with Edwin Hubble; the two had recently discovered the red shift effect and were working towards their conclusion that the universe was expanding. From the personal collection of famed photographer Melbourne Spurr, whose father was responsible for creating this shot, this is a beautiful and remarkably impressive oversized image of the legendary scientist at one of his favorite US sites. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=189
Extraordinary handwritten mathematical expressions and notes in Einstein’s hand on both sides of an off-white 8.5 x 11 sheet of New York’s Hotel Commodore letterhead, no date, but likely 1921. On the front of the sheet, side, he pens ten lines of notes in German regarding the purchase of a boat, listing five Berlin residents advertising boats for sale along with their prices, in full (translated): “Mrs. Lippert—German Workshop for Leather industry—Noll 1436. How much does the boat cost? Length, surface of the sail, how many sails? How many persons? Kurfürst 8143 Price? Amount of sails and surfaces. Name? Weight-bearing capacity? Kreutner, Hannoversche Strasse 2, Berlin N.W.O. Price 16500. Letter regarding inspection / Karl Weber, Price 15000, Grünstrasse 16, Berlin—letter regarding inspection / J. Padschadel, Jasmundstrasse 8—letter regarding inspection, price 15000, 22 square meters surface of sail.” On the reverse of the sheet, Einstein pens a series of seven mathematical expressions. Intersecting folds, light scattered creases, and slight foxing, otherwise fine condition; the mathematical side of the sheet also bears an ink notation in an unknown hand.
In 1921, Einstein received a celebrity’s welcome when he arrived in New York for his first visit to the United States. Staying at the Hotel Commodore, he gave three weeks of lectures and attended countless receptions in his honor before moving on in his travels. Passionate about sailing since his university days, embracing the solitude and simplicity of being at sea, the jet-setting physicist now had his sights set on buying a boat of his own upon his return to Germany; making a list of sellers in Berlin, he questions prices, sail sizes and numbers, weight-bearing capacities, etc. Eight years later, in honor of his 50th birthday, he was given a custom-made ship, which he held as one of his most prized possessions: when asked in 1933 if he would renounce other loyalties to be an American citizen (which he had just become), he cheerfully replied that he ‘would even renounce [his] cherished sailboat’ if necessary. With the wonderful sailing association on one side and always-sought-after equations on the other, this is a highly desirable piece from the legendary physicist. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=448
Choice Princeton Bank & Trust Company uncancelled check, 6.5 x 2.75, filled out in another hand and signed by Einstein, “Albert Einstein,” payable to Luttman’s Luggage Shop for $1.75, July 19, 1937. In fine condition, with a vertical fold to the right side (affecting a single letter of his last name). A quite scarce and desirable example—it is one of just a handful of Einstein checks we have offered and features his less common full signature. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=223
TLS signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists letterhead, April 29, 1947. Letter to Miss Fishel. In full: “I am glad to have the opportunity to send you the enclosed book, Explaining the Atom, by Selig Hecht, honorary vice-chairman of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists. Dr. Hecht has succeeded in giving, clearly and simply, an authoritative account of the scientific steps, both theoretical and experimental, that have lead to our present knowledge of nuclear fission. I believe also that from this book the discerning reader can gain the information necessary to form an independent opinion on the practical problems of atomic energy confronting the world today. Remembering your concern for these problems, and your interest in the work of our Committee, I hope that you may also share my admiration and respect for this distinguished book.” Simply framed to an overall size of 9.25 x 11.75. In fine condition, with intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, and a bit of trivial soiling.
Einstein personally established the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists to warn the public of the dangers associated with the development of nuclear weapons, promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and ultimately work towards world peace. Among the committee members was Hecht, who wrote the “authoritative account of the scientific steps, both theoretical and experimental, that have lead to our present knowledge of nuclear fission” that Einstein here states he was sending. At the time, the book had only recently been published and offered the reader a clear explanation of the atom—unique in that Hecht was the only member of the esteemed committee who was not a nuclear physicist, but rather a biophysicist. The work is still regarded as being unsurpassed as an exposition of the history and the theory of the atom. Einstein clearly admired his colleague and his contributions to help encourage and further the peaceful uses of atomic energy. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
http://www.rrauction.com/bidtracker_detail.cfm?IN=141
RR Autograph Auctions Albert Einstein Vishniac portrait
Vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 photo by Roman Vishniac, housed in its original 8.25 x 10.25 presentation holder, signed on the bottom border of the holder in black ink, “Albert Einstein 1943,” and also signed on the border in pencil by the photographer. Moderate silvering to image, small area of paper loss to one edge of holder, a couple of light creases passing through signature, and signature a shade light, otherwise fine condition. Roman Vishniac photographed Einstein at his home in Princeton, New Jersey in 1942. He photographed him while Einstein was absorbed in thought instead of paying attention to the camera. Einstein later identified these portraits as his favorites of the many taken of him.
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