Provenance of "Einstein's God Letter"

1. 75

   Oztinatoposted 5 years ago

   
   After research I can't discover the provenance of the "God Letter".
   Legal provenance is essential.
   The first auction date was 2008. This is late. The letter's envelope is typed but has a handwritten message on the top left corner saying "Einstein's letter".
   The signature does not conform to several notable signs of authenticity.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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2. 60

   Live to Learnposted 5 years ago

   As much as I respect all that Einstein did for humanity, I always wonder why anyone cares about his thoughts on God. He was a scientist, not a religious leader or theologian. I understand why he found it abhorrent people used his words to bash each other's beliefs.

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3. 75

   Oztinatoposted 5 years ago

   I've tried to make the forum's topic specifically about the provenance of the "god letter".
   There are several things about the signature on the "god letter" that don't add up.
   Also a typed envelope with someone's writing in the corner "einstein  letter" would not be taken seriously by any honest historian.
   Similar to the "fragment of parchment" (talking about the wife of Jesus) suddenly appearing after the hysteria over a badly written Dan Brown book.
   There is no easily available provenance on the internet.
   The signature alone sheds doubt on the authenticity.

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   1. 95

      wildernessposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      If you're interested, there is another one on eBay, for only $95,000 or make offer, apparently from a reputable seller of autographs.  Perhaps you could ask them what provenance is available.
      
      https://www.ebay.com/itm/Albert-Einstei … ctupt=true

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      1. 75

         Oztinatoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Unless provenance is provided the item is practically useless. When items are made public provenance is provided publicly.
         I note there is also an anonymous personage involved with the God Letter.
         To date no one has supplied any links to its provenance on any site.

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         1. 95

            wildernessposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            But it's hard to believe that anyone with 3M to blow on an old letter isn't smart enough to understand, and demand, proper provenance.

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            1. 75

               Oztinatoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               It's happened many times.
               http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/chris … ew-lawsuit
               The previous "anonymous buyer" could have been the auction house itself. This is a common practice in order to inflate prices.
               I've written to numerous social media sites requesting links to provenance. Zero.
               I've sent a comment to the Jerusalem Times etc.
               Even wiki has no evidence of provenance.

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               1. 95

                  wildernessposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  Personally, I would find it more unlikely that eBay bought the letter than that there is provenance.
                  
                  And I would not expect any of the common people writing Wiki articles to have examined that provenance and then provided it to the web site.  Pretty much the same for any social media sites - you need to write to the expert that has held it in their hands and examined it for handwriting, age, ink type, etc.
                  
                  (Although none of that indicates I find it to be factual; I have to with hold judgement until provenance is found)

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                  1. 75

                     Oztinatoposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     The scant information we have indicates fraud: signature (5 discrepencies), envelope, 2008 date, the blunt nature of the contents, handwriting of capital letters, previous anonymous owner etc
                     Signature discrepencies: unbroken line twice, totally unique t cross, Capital A variance to norm, nervous wobble.
                     This is a "provenance" that currently fails the test; added to an unknown pattern of ownership.

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