"IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE ANY APPOINTMENTS NOW BECAUSE THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE HAS NOT YET BEEN APPOINTED… I'VE EXPLAINED HOW MATTERS STAND BOTH TO LEO AND TO EINSTEIN": EXTRAORDINARY SIGNED AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM CHAIM WEIZMANN TO HIS FORMER FIANCEE, FAMOUS PATHOLOGIST SOPHIA SONIA GETZOVA, ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY OF INSTALLING A NEW DIRECTOR AT MEDICAL INSTITUTE AND MENTIONING DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WITH ALBERT EINSTEIN

WEIZMANN, Chaim. Autograph letter signed. Oakwood, London, January 31, 1925. Single sheet of booklet-style letterhead, measuring 5-1/4 by 7 inches; pp. 2 (with text). $4250.

Wonderful autograph signed letter, dated 1925, from the first president of Israel, Chaim Weizmann, to his ex-fiancee, pathologist Sophia Sonia Getzova, discussing difficulty installing a director at a medical institute and noting discussions about the issue with Albert Einstein. Text in Russian.

The letter, written on "Oakwood 16. Addison Crescent" stationery and dated "Jan. 31/25," reads in full translation from the original Russian: "I've explained to Leo in great detail that it is impossible to make any appointments now, because the director of the Institute has not yet been appointed. His nomination depends partly on the American doctors. We've proposed Prof. Rosenthal and I'm expecting to hear of their agreement any time now. As soon as it is known, I'll present your candidature to Rosenthal and shall, of course, support it. It's impossible to process otherwise just now. I've explained how matters stand both to Leo and to Einstein, who has spoken to me about this. I have only limited influence in this Institute, which is getting its entire financial support from the American doctors, and any premature step on my part might spoil the chances of success. As soon as the director of the Institute is appointed, I'll be able to approach him. I'm leaving for America on Wednesday and hope to make final arrangements there regarding the director; I shall then be able to take further steps. With my best wishes for your health and warm greetings. Chaim." After being engaged to Sophia Sonia Getzova for four years, Chaim Weizmann broke the engagement. According to the magazine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, "Russian-born Sophia Getzova was a pioneering pathologist who, despite outstanding academic credentials, was unable to obtain a permanent appointment in Europe due to her foreign origins and gender. In 1925, with a warm reference from Albert Einstein, she emigrated [to Israel] and was appointed head of the Institute of Pathological Anatomy at the Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus. In 1927, as part of a cooperation agreement between the [new] Hebrew University and Hadassah, Getzova was appointed a senior lecturer." Weizmann was an extremely accomplished chemist who spent substantial time in academia, helped to establish Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and founded the Weizmann Institute of Science. This allowed Weizmann to pave the way for Getzova's new position. Weizmann, of course, later became the first president of Israel.

Faint horizontal crease. Fine condition.