Einstein, Albert

Typed letter signed ("A. Einstein"), 1 page (11 x 8 1/2 in.; 280 x 215 mm) on letterhead with the embossed Mercer Street address above, Princeton, New Jersey, 15 August 1950, to Florence Baldwin, in New York City, with carbon copies of her 2 letters and 2 versions of the advertisement text; formerly folded. Red half-morocco drop-box, gilt-stamped black leather title label on spine.

Einstein objects to inclusion in an advertisement for United Nations Day. Florence Baldwin, of the National Citizens Committee for United Nations Day, had written to Einstein with a sample advertisement including his image and words, asking for his comment and approval.

He responds, objecting to the imprecision of the advertisement and its implications: "I am ready to testify that the United Nations represent my only hope in the attempt to overcome the present dangerous international situation. On the other hand, I cannot approve everything that the United Nations have done and have omitted to do. There are also implications in the proposed statement which are, in my opinion, disadvantageous for a peaceful solution of the present crisis. I am alluding to the passus 'The support of the U.N. by the world's free people can avert a World War'. The Nations who have to collaborate in a peaceful solution are not only the 'free people'. Such expression is a subtle form for the exclusion of a part of the members of the U.N., the collaboration of whom is indespensable for the achievement of the goal."