ALBERT EINSTEIN.  World War II-dated typed letter in German signed by “A. Einstein” to the German producer and director “Erwin Piscator” on personal letterhead.  The letter is one page, measures 11” by 8”, was created in Princeton, New Jersey on January 31, 1945, is in fine condition with minor toning from previous matting, and is accompanied with a carbon copy of Piscator’s letter to Einstein and a photograph portrait of Einstein.  In addition, the letter has been authenticated by Charles Hamilton, the leading autograph dealer from the 1940s to the 1990s, and comes with documentation referencing the letter as lot 181 from Hamilton's October 2, 1975 catalog.

AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR, EINSTEIN HONORS THE PACIFIST WRITER ROMAIN ROLLAND

Rolland won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1915, six years before Einstein won his for Physics.  Rolland died on December 30, 1944 and a tribute was being organized by Erwin Piscator of the Drama Workshop at the New School for Social Research.  Piscator tempts Einstein to attend with the news that Bruno Walter will personally be playing the Kreutzer Sonata with Bronislav Hubermann.  In the present letter Einstein agrees to join the Sponsor-Committee but declines attending on the grounds of ill health (if he made an exception he would arouse indignation).  He concludes, “One must attempt to preserve the spirit of Romain Rolland, if one does not wish to abandon hope for a tolerable future”.

“ONE MUST ATTEMPT TO PRESERVE THE SPIRIT OF ROMAIN ROLLAND, IF ONE DOES NOT WISH TO ABANDON HOPE FOR A TOLERABLE FUTURE”

The letter reads in full when translated: “So it was meant for me!  For the sake of my health I unfortunately have to forgo the personal participation or any events outside Princeton for the rest of my life.  In all my worship for Romain Rolland, it is impossible for me to make an exception in this case without arousing aroused indignation.  But I am happy to join the sponsor committee.  One must attempt to preserve the spirit of Romain Rolland, if one does not wish to abandon hope for a tolerable future.”.