Albert Einstein’s rude reply to 12-yr-old boy goes up for auction, 1928 letter likely to fetch over $5 mn

Related

• Marilyn Monroe’s iconic portrait ‘Shot Sage Blue Marilyn’ by Andy Warhol sold for record-breaking $195 mn
• Artist Michelle Poonawalla raises Rs 7.4L for WWF with the auction of her tiger sculpture
• ‘The Rock’, a record-setting white diamond, goes up for auction in Geneva
• NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s jersey, worn 25 years ago, likely to fetch $5 million at SCP auction

The Time’s Person of the Century Albert Einstein, also known as the father of special and general relativity, was a uniquely gifted individual. It was his theories that led to the creation of numerous inventions over the course of time. Interestingly, the physicist was also once quoted as saying, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.’ The comment made by the late scientist may evoke a sense of modesty.

Einstein may not be that polite after all. Recently, a rude letter written by Einstein to a 12-year-old boy surfaced. The letter is now up for sale. In 1928, Arthur L Cohen from Los Angeles wrote a letter to the physicist enquiring about his theory of relativity and whether space existed outside the universe.

The scientist used his personal stationery to illuminate the young boy with his wisdom. However, the scientific discussion concluded with a rude remark from Einstein.

Einstein rudely said, “It would be better if you began to teach others only after you have learned something useful for yourself.” Einstein signed the letter saying “With kindest regards.”

According to a report in the Daily Mirror, the 12-year-old Cohen went on to establish the Washington State University’s Electron Microscopy Centre.

The German-born theoretical physicist received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. Considered to be the most influential physicist of all time, his theories lead to significant progress in quantum mechanics. Einstein died on April 17, 1955. The bids for the note on an LA-based auction site will start at USD 25,000. The letter is expected to fetch close to USD 5 million.

Last year, another handwritten letter by Einstein to his friend warning him of prejudice in academia and his private notes on the theory of relativity sold for USD 13 million at an auction in Paris.

• Front Page
• Pure Politics
• Companies
• ET Markets
• More

• Vedanta Looks to Raise up to $1b from Credit Funds

  Billionaire Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta Group has widened its net for borrowings to credit funds such as Farallon Capital, Davidson Kempner and Ares SSG Capital to meet more than $1 billion in upcoming repayments, said people familiar with the matter.

  IT Hardware Cos Flag PLI’s Investment Clause

  IT hardware manufacturers such as Foxconn, HP and Dixon Technologies have urged the government to drop the fresh investment clause proposed in the revised production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme being prepared for the industry.

  India to Help Add Cool Quotient to Benetton

  The global chief executive of Benetton Group said India is critical for rebuilding the “coolness” quotient of the Italian clothing brand globally, part of its wider strategy to turn the retail chain around and fight back against fast fashion rivals.

Read More News on

ETPrime stories of the day