Special Recent Accession

Accession No. 2012.21

Description: Typed German note signed by Albert Einstein, 1938
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In this brief message on his personal embossed stationery, famed physicist Albert Einstein discloses an effort to rescue family and friends from Germany as Nazism rose in the late 1930s. A translation reveals a thank-you note to attorney Max Ammerman for his assistance on a matter. According to family lore, the matter concerned helping a friend, colleague, or perhaps Einstein's mistress emigrate from Germany. At the time, Ammerman worked in the law office of Louis Ottenberg, who facilitated immigrant proceedings for many Jewish refugees.

Translation:

Dear Mr. Ammerman:

Mr. Fritz Moses told me that you have kindly agreed to assist me with my small assistance effort.

Thank you and best regards.

Albert Einstein