Einstein's private letters reveal his fears of Hitler and Nazi Germany
Three personal letters written by Albert Einstein are heading to auction. They reveal his fears about Adolf Hitler and the rise of Nazi Germany. One of these letters previously sold for $2.89 million. The earliest letter dates back to 1921, when Einstein cancelled a planned trip to Munich. Anti-semitism in Germany had grown so severe that he feared for his safety. This was years before Hitler’s official rise to power.
By April 1934, the Nazi Party had seized control of Germany, with Hitler as chancellor. In a letter to his first wife and son that year, Einstein directly blamed Hitler for destroying the lives of those around him. He also expressed confidence that Jewish strength and unity would help the community endure persecution.
A third letter touches on both political and personal struggles. Addressed to his son, Einstein discussed possible pharmaceutical treatments for his schizophrenia. Yet he also returned to the theme of Nazi oppression, reflecting on its broader impact.
The auction, hosted by Nate D. Sanders, sets minimum bids of $12,000 for two of the letters. The second carries a higher starting price of $25,000. These letters offer a rare glimpse into Einstein’s private thoughts during a turbulent period. The auction will determine their new value, following the $2.89 million sale of a similar letter about his Jewish faith. The documents remain a historical record of one of history’s darkest eras.
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