Original letter mentioning Einstein | 1932, handwritten by Sigmund Freud

A significant 4to letter, approximately 3⁄4 page, likely addressed to the prominent classical scholar and intellectual Gilbert Murray, who led the International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation. The content of the letter relates to a landmark project, an epistolary exchange between Sigmund Freud and Albert Einstein on the subject of war, published in 1933 as “Warum Krieg?” by the International Institute for Intellectual Cooperation, with editions in German, French, and English. Dated 1 Sept. 1932.

Freud acknowledges the invitation from Einstein, expressing his commitment to contribute thoughts as a psychologist on preventing wars: “Ich habe Ihren Brief erhalten, der auf die Einladung Prof. Einstein’s Bezug nimmt... Die Wichtigkeit des Problems sowie die Bedeutung der betheiligten Perso- nen machten eine andere Entscheidung unmöglich. In den nächsten Wochen werde ich versuchen, zusammenzustellen, was ich als Psycholog über die Möglichkeit der Verhütung von Kriegen zu sagen weiss.”

Some spotting and minor edge wear, with an entry stamp and a punched registration hole in the upper left corner. A powerful piece, bringing together two of the 20th centu- ry’s most influential minds in a dialogue on humanity’s most pressing issues.