A letter written by Albert Einstein where he described living “reclusively” and “ill with my heart” years before his death is to be auctioned.
The letter on his personal stationery dated November 20, 1928, was responding to a request from Esther Sacher to visit the German Society at Oxford University.
Mrs Sacher was secretary of the society and reached out to Einstein inviting him to speak at the club.
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Translated from German, the letter reads in full, “Dear Mrs. Sacher! I didn’t get an invitation from the German Club in Oxford.
“But even if I had received one, it would be impossible for me to come because I am so ill with my heart that I cannot even go to the Academy and the University around here, and have to live reclusively, and I cannot think of doing any travel.
“In any case I thank you very much for the invitation, and I am happy to see that a Jew is always en famille wherever his steps lead him on this earth.
“With friendly greetings, A. Einstein.”
He added a postscript: “Maybe you should ask in the German Club where this misunderstanding stems from so that no honourable young woman should travel to the station in vain or some such, a truly terrible thought!”
The letter will be auctioned by Nate D. Sanders Auctions on September 29.
Bidding for the letter begins at $12,000.
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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.
Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1
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