Einstein’s secret to happiness note sold at auction

By Catherine Chung

Published : Oct. 25, 2017 - 14:02

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Albert Einstein’s “Theory of Happiness” letter, handed as tip to a Japanese courier 95 years ago, was sold for $1.3 million (1.47 billion won) at an auction held in Jerusalem, local media outlet Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday.

According to media reports, Winner’s Auctions CEO Gal Wiener said that Einstein‘s letter was initially auctioned off at $2,000. Wiener had expected the note to be sold for a maximum price of $8,000. Within 25 minutes, however, the price jumped to $1.3 million.

Albert Einstein`s letter being auctioned at Winner`s Auctions in Jerusalem, Israel. (AFP)

Einstein is said to have stayed at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan in 1922 for a yearly lecture.

Following the announcement of his winning the Nobel Prize in Physics, Einstein gained significant recognition within and beyond the scientific community.

Einstein did not have enough money at the time to give the Japanese courier tip. Instead, he handed over two notes in German to the employee.

Nobel Prize Winner in Physics Albert Einstein (AP)

On the first note, it read: “A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.”

The physicist’s second note stated: “Where there’s a will, there‘s a way.” It has been reported that this note was sold for $20,000.

By Catherine Chung (cec82@heraldcorp.com)

Einstein’s secret to happiness note sold at auction

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