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

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Lot 64
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 1514468
Lot 64 | Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Estimate value
£ 14 000 – 16 000
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Autograph letter (a draft, unsigned) to [Henry Usborne], n.p. [1 September 1948]
In German, with a few phrases in English. One page, 279 x 215mm, opening 'S[ehr] G[eehrter] H[enry] U[sborne]', the body of the letter in seven numbered paragraphs, numbered '319' in blue pencil, the recipient and date identified by a pencil annotation on verso. Provenance: Christie's, 6 June 2007, lot 81.

'One cannot eliminate a single weapon, but only war itself': overcoming the obstacles to World Government. The 'Vansittard declaration' (probably the open letter published in the Manchester Guardian on 22 December 1947 with the signatures of Lord Vansittart, T.S. Eliot, Bertrand Russell and others, appealing for Anglo-U.S. unity against Russia in the control of atomic energy) 'is harmful and must be opposed. It appears that Russell's signature was placed on the declaration without his authorisation'. Regarding the Baruch Plan (a US proposal of 1946 for international control of atomic energy), Einstein comments 'One cannot eliminate a single weapon, but only war itself, and this can only be achieved through a world government': the Russian rejection of the proposal on the basis of 'general disarmament without supranational control' cannot be taken seriously, as they surely knew – Russia's fundamental objection is to 'any supranational institution linked to inspections by foreigners or any restriction of their sovereignty whatsoever'. The crux of the issue is: 'How can one work vigorously for W[orld] G[overnment] and prevent a coalition against Russia from emerging?': in Einstein's view, the solution is a wholehearted promotion of World Government which if done correctly and 'not in the clumsy Trumanian way' (words in English in the original) could lead Russia to cooperate when it realises the process is inevitable. Clear American support for the project is essential, and criticism from Europe could be useful in this regard.

The recipient, Henry Usborne, was a British MP for 14 years from 1945, and founded the All-Party Parliamentary Group for World Government in 1947. Einstein had come out strongly in favour of world government in his 'Open letter to the General Assembly of the United Nations' in October 1947, and in 1948 joined the advisory board of United World Federalists.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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10.12.2025 – 10.12.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
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