Albert Einstein (1879-1955) - photo 1
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) - photo 2
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) - photo 3

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Lot 63
10.12.2025 12:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
ID 1514390
Lot 63 | Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Estimate value
£ 4 000 – 5 000
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Autograph letter signed ('Papa') to his son Hans Albert, Princeton, 21 January 1948
In German. Two pages, 279 x 215mm; envelope. Provenance: by descent – Christie's, 6 June 2007, lot 80.

On the financial arrangements for his first wife, Mileva, and their son Eduard. Although Hans Albert had written a letter on serious matters, his apparently slighting reference to Otto Nathan has made Einstein laugh: 'Dr Nathan is nothing less than a financier. He is a professor of economics and a social democrat, which is why he cannot hold a permanent teaching position in this country. He is conscientiousness personified and so selfless that it is almost a vice'; Nathan is to be Einstein's executor, and is also the head of the company funded by Einstein to take over Mileva's house in Zurich, 'so that Mileva would not have it taken away because of the mortgage debts she had on her person, debts stemming from two houses she previously owned but could not hold onto ... Now the "corporation" only serves the purpose of being the official owner of the money that was paid in cash for the house. And for that, I will now have to pay a "profit tax" here, even though I have never seen a single cent. The money remained in Zurich, and Mileva has power of attorney over it'. Einstein goes on to discuss arrangements for his younger son, Eduard ('Tetel'), who is institutionalised with schizophrenia: 'A guardian has finally been appointed, or at least will be very soon ... I want to arrange, if at all possible, for the state to assume responsibility for Tetel based on a payment I make, so that nothing is left to you when I am no longer here. I will do this even if it means sacrificing all my savings'. Einstein urges Hans Albert to 'write to me about anything you have on your mind regarding this matter and anything else'. Mileva is having some trouble with the homeowners' association ('Hausbesitzerverband') in Zurich, but 'If [she] did not ensure she retained the right to live in the house in the event of a change of ownership, then it is her own fault. If she had sent us the contract beforehand, as was her duty, we would have pointed this out to her. Unfortunately, it is too late now'. In short, Hans Albert is not to worry: 'The worst that can happen is that Tetel's care might spoil your inheritance prospects. But in these uncertain times, that doesn't mean much'. A postscript sends news of Einstein's sister Maja, who had been living with him in Princeton since 1939, but had suffered a stroke two years previously: 'Maja is doing quite well, subjectively speaking. Objectively, of course, it is a moderately rapid decline. She can still take a few steps on level ground, even if not without support'. A friend has brought one of Einstein's violins back from Zurich: he will pass it on to Hans Albert in Berkeley CA, if he can find someone to take it.

Mileva was to die at the house in Huttenstrasse, Zurich, in August 1948; Eduard Einstein lived until 1965.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
10.12.2025 – 10.12.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

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