V A letter by Albert Einstein, citing Jewish solidarity as the only weapon of self-defense by a persecuted people, has been auctioned off for over £100,000.

The letter was written on June 10, 1939, as Jews were fleeing Nazi Germany and as Hitler was preparing to launch the Second World War.

Einstein addressed the letter, posted from his Princeton office, to Dr. Maurice Lenz of New York and praised his efforts to enable the refugees to enter the United States.

“The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years has been based to a large extent on traditions of mutual helpfulness,” Einstein wrote.

“In these years of affliction our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test. May we stand this test as well as did our fathers before us.

“We have no other means of self-defense than our solidarity and our knowledge that the cause for which we are suffering is a momentous and sacred cause.”

The letter, sold by Nate D. Auctions of Los Angeles, reached top price of $134,344 (£102,000) among 23 bidders — making it the most valuable item of Einstein memorabilia ever, exceeding even the original photo of Einstein sticking out his tongue at pursuing photographers, whic was sold for $125,000.

Auction house spokesman Samuel Heller said the previous most valuable Einstein letter was among a collection of 20 and was sold for $53,504.

In that missive, Einstein explained the science underlying his groundbreaking work on Electrostatic Theory and Special Relativity.

Einstein concluded his letter to Lenz by writing: “It must be a source of deep satisfaction to you to be making so important a contribution toward rescuing our persecuted fellow-Jews from their calamitous peril and leading them toward a better future.”