A handwritten letter signed by Mrs. Elsa Einstein, wife of Albert Einstein, to family friend Danish journalist Karen Stampe-Bendix, Berlin, July 29 [1930s].
In her letter Mrs. Einstein writes that her husband is in Geneva where he is participating in League of Nations meetings, and that she did not forward Ms. Stampe's letter to him due to concern that he may not pay enough attention to the letter while in Geneva. She asks Ms. Stampe to be patient and identifies with the message she wrote in her letter, writing: "If only there were more sympathetic and selfless souls like you, my dear. Communism never had any chance, everything will be simply perfect in this world of ours, see you soon and regards to the beautiful child's health, as always, Elsa Einstein". The recipient of the letter, Karen Stampe-Bendix (1881-1963), was a Danish educator, screenwriter and author. Daughter of the Jewish-Danish composer Victor Bendix and noblewoman, author and philanthropist Rigmor Stampe-Bendix. In the 1930s Stampe-Bendix befriended Albert and Elsa Einstein, and even published a lengthy profile on Einstein in the Danish newspaper "Politiken".
Elsa Einstein was Albert Einstein's second wife and cousin. Since her marriage to Albert Einstein in June 1919, she spent most of their marriage as his gatekeeper. Elsa died after a serious illness on December 20, 1936.
[1] Leaf. 29x22 cm. Albert Einstein's official letterhead paper. Full English translation of letter included. Tear at top right of page without damage to text. Fold marks. Minor tear along fold line. Good condition.
