Einstein read ‘Eureka’ in 1933, and in December 1933 and January 1934 he wrote two letters about it to Richard Gimbel, the owner of the Poe House in Philadelphia. In these letters Einstein expressed his admiration for Poe’s independent mind. The letters were sold in 2002 for $ 10.000 by the Bookbarn, a second hand bookstore in the USA, but their present owner and location are unknown. This website is very interested in more information about these two letters.
I’m very interested as well–if I hear anything about their present location I’ll let you know. It seems odd, doesn’t it, that such valuable letters–a legendary scientific figure discussing a legendary literary figure–could disappear from sight for nine years and counting?
Thanks, Undine! I am glad for your question and for Van Slooten’s answer!
I believe that A. H. Quinn wrote to Einstein about Eureka and received a reply. I think the reply was unfavorable. The letter may be in the Quinn collection at the University of Pennsylvania.
I have located the two letters from Einstein, sent to Richard Gimbel, and have forwarded the details to Rene Van Slooten.