[EINSTEIN (Albert)]

Lot 305
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Estimation :
6000 - 7000 EUR
[EINSTEIN (Albert)]
[SPAIN]. [DEMOCRACY]. Important file on the Spanish Civil War, showing Albert Einstein's support for the cause of democracy in Spain (two telegrams in Spanish and handwritten text in German and English translation), supplemented by documents attesting to the concrete and material support of the Spanish community in New York in 1937, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. United States and Mexico, 1936-1937 Einstein's support for the cause of democracy in Spain. Einstein had at one time thought of going into exile in Spain before he left for the United States: Fernando de los Rios, at that time minister in Spain before becoming Spanish consul in New York, had created a chair for the scientist in Madrid in 1933, but Einstein preferred exile in Princeton. He supported the Spanish Republican movement and the anti-Franco forces and in this telegram, addressed to the Spanish exiles, Einstein speaks of "visitors from Spain" ("los visitantes espagnoles") and of American citizens who gather in the same "meeting" ("los ciudadanos americanos que se encuentran en la misma reunion"). INCLUDES: - Two telegram forms, with typed text in Spanish translation of Albert Einstein's message. The first text is typed on a "Western Union" headed form. The text is incomplete. Complete text of Einstein on the second form headed "Postal Cables. All America Cables..." : "Traduccion del telegrama dirijido por el eminente cientifico Albert Einstein desde Filadelfia". Both telegrams are dated "Diciembre de 1936". - Original text in German, followed by the English translation. Bill in ink on paper. Size: 140 x 220 mm. Einstein's German text is preceded by the name "Mrs. Milton Leof = 322 South Street 16. 1. 7 Phila[delphia]". Milton Arno Leof (1904-1985) settled in Phliadelphia was a collector, dentist, archeologist and passionate about Mexico. "Mrs. Milton Leof" must be Gertrude Siegal Leof, wife of Milton Leof. Perhaps she was responsible for having Einstein's text translated into Spanish. "I send my greetings to the visitors from Spain beset by reactionary forces, who have my heartfelt sympathy, and to the citizens of this country as well. Great democracies should be brought to a vivid realization of the fact that the defense of the political rights of all is an international task of the most pressing importance. The oppression of one people, anywhere, means a heightened threat to political freedom in the world. Albert Einstein. Philadelphia... 19. XII. 1936". Enclosed: Stamped envelope addressed to "Sr. Don Marcelino Domingo. Consulado General de Espana. 515 Madison Avenue" with postmarks of September 1937, thus after the two telegrams which are dated December 1936. Marcelino Domingo Sanjuan (1889-1939), Spanish journalist and politician, was several times minister in the years 1931, 1933 and 1936. He was the author of El mundo ante Espana. Mexico ejemplo, Mexico City, 1937. From September 1936 he went into exile in Paris and made several trips to Europe, the United States and Mexico, supporting the Republican cause during the Spanish Civil War. This envelope shows that he received his mail sent from Mexico to the Spanish Consulate General in New York. Domingo's friend and colleague, Minister Fernando de Los Rios, was Spanish ambassador to the United States during the Civil War. Marcelino Domingo died in 1939 in Toulouse. - Photograph of Albert Einstein, with the following typewritten caption: "Einstein in the Academy of Sciences" and a text reporting Einstein's candidacy to replace Michalson, a recently deceased American scientist. "Einstein, whose candidacy is warmly supported at the Institute, will likely be elected on the first ballot." Photo, silver print, two punch holes. Dimensions: 90 x 130 mm. Other photo of Albert Einstein, cut out and laminated on paper (same holes of perforation to the paper). - Photograph pasted on a cardboard, group photograph, surrounded by signatures. Dated "14 Agosto 1937". Under the date, "Mexico". Probably members of a collective of support to the democracy in Spain. We note the name of Rafael Sanchez de Ocana, Spanish philosopher and writer (1892-death in Mexico City, 1962). See P. Fagen's book. Exiles and Citizens: Spanish Republican in Mexico (1973). - Set of nine photographs, sometimes captioned, stamped "North American Committee to Aid Spanish Democracy / 149 Fifth Avenue, New York City" (4 photographs) or agency stamp "Watch Credit. Dora Le Port. 151 Fifth Avenue". Silver prints, dimensions variable, approximately 250 x 204 mm (for the largest). Subjects : Clothes for Loyalist Spain ; 3000 cans of milk for the women and children of Spain ; Rush
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