Theos-Talk Archives (May 2004 Message tt00152)

Einstein's alleged copy of THE SECRET DOCTRINE

At this point in time, it would appear that
Einstein's alleged copy of THE SECRET DOCTRINE
cannot be located.

Reports indicate that the copy is NOT
at the Adyar TS, is NOT at the Madras ULT
or Bombay ULT and is not in Einstein's personal
library at the Albert Einstein Archives,
Jewish National & University Library,Jerusalem, Israel.

Here is an interesting observation.

Sylvia Cranston wrote:

"In checking this information it was learned that
a niece of Einstein's, in India during the 1960s,
paid a visit to the headquarters of the Theosophical
Society at Adyar. She explained that she knew
nothing of theosophy or the society, but had to
see the place because her uncle always had a copy
of Madame Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine on his desk.
The individual to whom the niece spoke was Eunice
Layton, a world renowned theosophical lecturer who
happened to be at the reception desk when she arrived.
While in Ojai, California, in 1982, Sylvia Cranston
met Mrs. Eunice Layton, who confirmed the story."
(Cranston, S. L., HPB;: the extraordinary life and influence of
Helena Blavatsky, founder of the modern theosophical movement, G.
P.Putnam's Sons, 1993)

Notice that Cranston in this account does NOT write that the niece
gave the copy to the TS Adyar. She does NOT say that
the niece had the copy with her and showed it to Mrs.
Layton.

Yet Leon in his accounts was told that the niece
had the copy of the SD with her, showed Einstein's
(?) jottings and apparently gave the copy to the 
TS in India.

Is it possible that the niece or nurse kept 
the copy?

Also are there any other sources or documents in
which Cranston or Layton (or Taylor??) indicate
that the niece showed the copy, gave the copy?

Or can one assume that the showing of the
copy and the gift of the copy originates
in Leon's accounts?

Also did Dr. Taylor know about Mrs. Layton's
account? And what did he think about it??

These are just a few of the questions that need
to be answered.

Daniel