Three letters written by Albert Einstein to an organization that advocated against the Nazi regime were sold for a combined $8,226 in an auction this week.
The father of relativity sent the letters to August Hamelberg, who belonged to “Friends of the Truth”, a Cincinnati-based German-American organization that published four anti-Nazi pamphlets in 1933/1934.
Einstein wrote to Hamelberg first in 1934, stating that the Friends of Truth was correct not to accept Jews in their organization because it would weaken their position. Einstein added, “For similar reasons, I have so far avoided speaking out openly about this issue.”
In July 1935, Einstein praised Hambelberg for his work on the pamphlets, telling him, “I really enjoyed your letter. Your blessed work is all the more honorable as it isn't only an investment of your time but it asks a great measure of courage and self-reliance. If there were only as many like minded Germans over there, the German community wouldn't have sunk so low!"
The letters were sold to an undisclosed buyer at an auction on January 31, by the Los Angeles-based auction house Nate D. Sanders. Last October, the same auction house sold an Einstein letter commending an activist for his efforts helping European Jews for nearly $14,000.