An intriguing memorabilia item from the life of Albert Einstein, the father of modern science, will sell at Heritage Auction Galleries in Beverley Hills on February 11-12.
 As anti-Semitism ran rampant in Europe, Einstein embraced his Jewish identity and Zionism |
The oversized portrait, taken of Einstein in 1921 during his first visit to America, is inscribed "to an ardent awakener of the Jewish soul."
This was believed to have been written to Chaim Weizman, the then-president of the World Zionist Organisation.
As remarkable as the item itself, are the circumstances in which it was found by the consignor: mysteriously discarded in a bin on workman's site, in an affluent Boston neighbourhood.
"It wasn't until after World War One, when anti-Semitism had begun to run rampant in Europe, that an already famous and influential Albert Einstein embraced his Jewish legacy and identity - and thereby Zionism," said Sandra Palomino, Director of Historical Manuscripts & Autographs at Heritage.
Einstein is naturally well remembered as a scientist, and also as a pacifist. So well remembered, in fact, that he is one of the top ten dead celebrity earners.
The historic signature will go under the hammer with an estimate of $10,000-15,000. Live bidding will be available on Heritage's website.
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