ALBERT
EINSTEIN. Typed Letter Signed to Mignon Lion, Princeton,
NJ, 26 May 1938. In German, with translation. 1 page, 11" x 8½",
on his embossed stationery.
Albert
Einstein, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who developed the theory
of relativity, was himself a refugee who left Germany in 1933 following
the Nazis’ rise to power. After settling in the U.S., he sought
in both public and private ways to help others who either wished to
or were forced to leave Europe because of Nazi persecution. He spoke
on behalf of refugee relief, helped raise funds for aid organizations,
and “also quietly backed scores of individuals who needed financial
guarantees in order to emigrate” (See Walter Isaacson, Einstein:
His Life and Universe, page 445).
In this
letter, however, Einstein turns down a request for a personal affidavit
from a well-educated young woman trying to emigrate to America. In the
process, he reveals the limits of what he could do, and he relays what
he has learned about the employment prospects for immigrants, especially
for women. “In your area of expertise, it would be anything
but easy to establish yourself in America,” Einstein explains
to his correspondent. “I have often observed that more or
less specialized intellectual workers have it very hard here.
“In
contrast,” he continues, “hard-working young women
such as domestics, nursery school teachers, and nurses, etc. have no
problem finding employment; women can even get by doing all sorts of
small jobs like sewing and knitting. Your fiancé would definitely
have to learn a marketable skill.
“I
am sorry,” he concludes, “but I cannot send you
an affidavit because I have written too many lately. But in your case,
there seems to be no need for one in the immediate future.”
He has signed, “A. Einstein.”
The letter
is written on stationery embossed at the head with Einstein’s
name and Princeton address. It is in very good condition, accompanied
by remnants of the original typed envelope. $3500.00
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