December 17th, Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Book, Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2020
Albert Einstein Typed Letter Signed "A. Einstein." One page, 8.5" x 11", on his personal embossed letterhead, Princeton [New Jersey], April 3, 1951. Joseph Halle Schaffner, the recipient of this letter, had proposed to set up a foundation bearing Einstein's name. The eminent scientist had initially proposed that he "use these funds for the benefit of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem," but realized "that the available money would not be enough to put up a special foundation within the framework of an university institution which you thought to connect with my name." Having pondered the matter more fully, he has reached a different conclusion and here offers an alternate proposal: "It is well known that the refugee intellectuals of the Hitler persecution have nearly all found opportunity for work in this country. However, many of them were already middle-aged when they arrived and there are emergency cases produced by illness and old age which constitute a permanent worry for those of us who are in a more favorable position. It may be known to you that there exists a Committee in Aid of Displaced Foreign Scholars, headed by Mrs. Else Staudinger, which has successfully tried to mitigate this situation. I believe there could be no more satisfactory use for the money than to give it in the form of a private foundation to this organization with the proviso that the funds should be used for such emergency cases of old age and illness. Such foundation could bear my name I conformity with our earlier intentions if you find it desirable. If you should decide according to this suggestion you would produce something good and worthwhile and earn the gratitude of all concerned."
With One Of A Kind Collectibles COA.
Albert Einstein "refugee intellectuals of the Hitler persecution"
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