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273

Albert Einstein

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Albert Einstein

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Auction Date:2013 Feb 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
TLS in German, signed “A. Einstein,” one page, 8 x 10, Saranac Lake, N. Y., July 27, 1936. Letter to Mrs. R. H. Pretzfeld. In full (translated): “I have heard from my friend Professor Otto Nathan, that you are looking for a young musician to be Shur Cherkassky’s travel companion. He already told you about the young concert violinist Boris Schwarz, the man who brought you this letter. Mr. Schwarz is so happy to finally arrive in New York—this is not a little thing to escape from the German hell and be able to breathe the first free air! He and his parents are my good friends since many years. In Europe, I played music with him and his Father many times. I would be happy if you find him to be the man you are looking for. He knows most of the music places in Europe from his own concert music tours.” In very good condition, with uniform mild toning, a small tear to right edge, slight separation along one horizontal mailing fold, and scattered creases. Accompanied by a vintage matte-finish 7.5 x 9.5 photo of Cherkassky playing a piano, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To my dear friend Mr. & Mrs. Pretzfeld, with best wishes and in remembrance of many pleasant musical evenings, Shura Cherkassky, Melbourne, Australia, 23/11/28.”

An accomplished violinist himself, having taken lessons since age six, Einstein carried a great interest in the musical world throughout his life. As the Nazis’ grip on Germany strengthened, longtime family friend and experienced concert violinist Boris Schwarz joined Einstein in America: “this is not a little thing to escape from the German hell and be able to breathe the first free air!” Hoping to secure his friend a touring job with the famous pianist Shura Cherkassky, he penned this letter to fellow music-lovers Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pretzfeld, textile industrialists and huge financial supporters of the arts. Despite the glowing recommendation, compounded by another from Princeton economist Otto Nathan, we have found no records that the tour came to fruition. Regardless, Schwarz made quite a name for himself in the States, playing first violin in the NBC Symphony Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini, earning a Ph.D. from Columbia University, and going on to teach music at Queens College for over three decades, chairing the music department and founding the Orchestral Society and Faculty String Quartet there. A wonderful letter regarding a dear friend and fellow German expat, highlighting the scientist’s less frequently discussed passion for music.
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