Einstein’s 100‑K‑Dollar Love Letter Turns Heads in Jerusalem
Picture this: a handwritten note from the one‑and‑only Albert Einstein, sent in 1928 from Berlin to a math whiz, hails the “Third Stage of the Theory of Relativity.” Turns out, it just might have 3‑letters‑in‑your-hood behind it—US$103,700 (about S$131,458) just went “click” in a Jerusalem auction on Tuesday.
Why the Letter is a Big Deal
Einstein wrote during one of the “most exciting, feverish periods of his scientific career,” trying to nail down a breakthrough that would change physics forever. The letter even has a second note plastered on the back—his quick‑fire edit on the way to greatness.
But here’s the kicker: while the $100k looks like a small fortune, it pales next to an earlier sale where a buyer gunned for a different Einstein missive—US$1.56 million—for a letter about the secret of happiness. The earlier piece was originally pegged at a modest $8,000, but someone saw a gem.
Other Hot‑Potato Items at the Auction
- A handful of photos and letters from the 1921 Nobel Prize physics winner sold for thousands.
- Various pieces from the famed under‑galaxy that proved his many talents.
Gal Wiener, the head honcho of Winner’s, told AFP that the trove “reveals the complex character of the great scientist.” Funny, though, that Einstein is remembered more for his mustache than his role as a non‑resident governor of Jerusalem’s Hebrew University—utopia whether he’d stand on campus or just scribble.
Take Away
Einstein’s words still carry weight, practically in silver. If you’re a history buff or a thrill‑seeking collector, this auction proved that a single inked note can still command the market.
