Einstein, Albert

Typed letter signed ("A. Einstein"), one page on his personal stationery  with embossed heading (10 3/4 x 8 3/8 in.; 280 x 213 mm), Princeton, New Jersey, 10 July 1954, to Fred A. Reich of Seattle, discussing what Jefferson meant by the words "Right to Life" with the author of an article on the subject. Floated on a mat, glazed, and framed with a portrait of Einstein.                                                             

Christies (sale, 9 December 1998, lot 77)

Typed letter signed ("A. Einstein"), one page on his personal stationery with embossed heading (10 3/4 x 8 3/8 in.; 280 x 213 mm), Princeton, New Jersey, 10 July 1954, to Fred A. Reich of Seattle, discussing what Jefferson meant by the words "Right to Life" with the author of an article on the subject. Floated on a mat, glazed, and framed with a portrait of Einstein.
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Einstein on Jefferson's "Right to Life." Reich had sent the scientist the text of an article in which he speculated on the meaning of Jefferson's phrase "right to life" as used in the Declaration of Independence, and what its implications were in modern American society. Einstein replied: "I think your interpretation is the right one. However, what the 18th century had not yet grasped was that security has to be paid for with partial loss of freedom and that the achievement of economic security presupposes the solution of difficult organizational and educational problems. One has to recognize clearly the difficulties to be justified to stand on Jefferson's principles ..."