December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2022
A very interesting lot of Albert Einstein related memorabilia including a calabash pipe, signed photo, postcard signed by his daughter and secretary, book, and reproduction letter of Einstein’s letter to FDR regarding the atomic bomb. The lot consists of: (A) 5 – 7/8 x 3 – 7/8” photo of Albert Einstein signed “Albert Einstein / 1933.” CONDITION: The photo and signature both exhibit fading but the signature remains legible. The signature comes with a James Spence Authentication Full Letter of Authenticity. (B) A later copy of the book “Relativity: the special and the general theory” by Albert Einstein. CONDITION: The book exhibits shelf and reading wear but appears to be complete with all pages. (C) A fine reproduction of Einstein’s famous letter to FDR urging the start of the project to develop an atomic bomb signed by Einstein’s daughter Margot Einstein and Einstein’s secretary Helen Dukas. The letter is accompanied by a small excerpt of a description from an old auction catalog and notes the date 7/11/70. The excerpt was contained in an envelope from Charles Hamilton Galleries, INC. which is where the letter was previously auctioned. CONDITION: Good with clear signatures. (D) Letter regarding Einstein’s letter signed by Hungarian-American theoretical physicist Eugene P. Wigner. CONDITION: Good with clear signature and text. (E) Postcard signed by Margot Einstein and Helen Dukas postmarked Princeton, NJ, March 14, 1966. This post card was sold with the reproduction Einstein letter and is mentioned in the excerpt description. CONDITION: Good with clear signatures and light wear. (F) A pipe attributed to Albert Einstein which was also sold at Charles Hamilton Galleries, INC as evidenced by another catalog excerpt which is labeled “Hamilton” and dated “6-4-70”. The excerpt reads “EINSTEIN, ALBERT. His original calabash pipe bearing the markings of a London manufacturer. Light and dark brown, with a large ivory bowl and detachable mouthpiece.” And is contained in the same Hamilton Galleries marked envelope that is marked “A.E. Pipe” in ink. The pipe was sold with the Albert Einstein 1945 Signature which is also in this sale. Albert Einstein was known to be an avid pipe smoker as he reportedly believed that pipe smoking contributed to calm and objective judgment. One of the key characteristics of his appearance was his pipe, although he mostly smoked Briar and Davidoff pipes. This pipe does not exhibit any teeth marks or evidence of heavy use, but due to Einstein's love of smoking, it would not be uncommon for admirers and colleagues to gift the theoretical physicist with pipes they fancied. CONDITION: The pipe exhibits a few areas of spotting and features a nice patina. There is a crack behind the stem. The pipe exhibits a nice patina with handling wear. This collection of Einstein artifacts descended through the world class collection of Dr. John K. Lattimer, who was known to collect memorabilia from all types of celebrities, personalities, and noteworthy figures who he admired. His collection speaks for itself, as Lattimer dedicated his life to the preservation of history and some of the best artifacts to be exhibited in museums and private collection once resided in his assemblage of the past. Lattimer purchased these items from auction and would keep excerpts of the catalogs for reference in his collection. All of these artifacts have been in his collection since purchase and are now being offered on the market for the first time in several decades.
Item Dimensions: 14 x 14 x 7"
Paperwork
JSA Letter of Authenticity