In 1922, having just been crowned the winner of the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics, Albert Einstein travelled to Tokyo for a series of lectures. During the course of his speaking tour, a lone courier arrived at the Imperial Hotel to make a delivery and found himself face to face with the 20th century’s greatest theoretical physicist. Awe-struck, the courier refused a tip. Intent on repaying him, Einstein took a piece of hotel stationery on which he proffered these words of wisdom: “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.” And thus, the German physicist’s lesser known Theory of Happiness was born.
Einstein reportedly told the courier to hold onto the note because it might be valuable someday – an understatement indeed. The apocryphal story has yielded a generous (albeit belated) tip, with the Theory of Happiness fetching US$1.56 million at auction. Winner’s Auctions, the Jerusalem-based auction house, had expected to net between US$5,000-$8,000. Explaining the meteoric jump in sales price, Meni Chadad, a Winner’s spokesman, said, “I think the value can be explained by the fact that the story behind it is so uplifting and inspiring, and because Einstein continues to be a global rock star long after his death.”
Images: Winner’s Auctions and Exhibitions