EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born theoretical physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. An unusual T.L.S., A. Einstein, one page, 4to, Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey, 7th April 1949, to Sammy Gronemann, in German. Einstein´s letter is composed in verse, comprising three stanzas -

Worum andre sich oft grämen
Weisst du mit Humor zu nehmen
Denn du hast dir halt gedacht
Dass uns Gott so hat gemacht

___________

Der mit Unrecht sich tut rächen
Er, der selber schuf die Schwächen
Denen wehrlos wir erliegen
Ob im Elend, ob im Siegen

___________

Statt mit sturem Ernst zu richten
Bringst Erlosung durch dein Dichten
Dass did Frevler und die Frommen
All´auf ihre Rechnung kommen

And translates into English as

What others often grieve about
You know how to take with humor,
Because you simply thought to yourself
That this is how God made us,

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He who would unjustly avenge Himself—
He, who Himself created the weaknesses
To which we defenselessly succumb,
Whether in misery or in victory.

___________

Instead of judging with stubborn severity,
You bring redemption through your poetry,
So that the sinners and the pious alike
All get their money's worth.

In concluding Einstein sends his heartfelt thanks and best regards. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG

Sammy Gronemann (1875–1952) German-Jewish lawyer, Zionist leader, and celebrated satirical writer and playwright. After fleeing Nazi Germany, he settled in Tel Aviv, where he became a crucial figure in early Hebrew theatre. He was deeply respected for his sharp wit, humane humor, and ability to use satire to navigate complex cultural and political tensions within the Jewish community.

In March 1949, Albert Einstein celebrated his 70th birthday, an event that prompted letters from admirers and old friends all over the world. The physicist chose to thank Gronemann for their gift with this unusual letter, choosing to write a personalised piece of poetry that honored Gronemann's life's work as a comedic playwright and author who brought ´redemption´ to a fractured world through his writing.