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Auction archive: Lot number 203

GOETHE, Johann Wolfgang von (1749-1832). Two letters to an unidentified correspondent [Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling], written and signed on Goethe's behalf by Friedrich Wilhelm Riemer, the first (signed 'Goethe'), Weimar, 13 September 1806,...

Auction 29.11.2000
29 Nov 2000
Estimate
£1,500 - £2,000
ca. US$2,139 - US$2,852
Price realised:
£3,055
ca. US$4,357
Auction archive: Lot number 203

GOETHE, Johann Wolfgang von (1749-1832). Two letters to an unidentified correspondent [Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling], written and signed on Goethe's behalf by Friedrich Wilhelm Riemer, the first (signed 'Goethe'), Weimar, 13 September 1806,...

Auction 29.11.2000
29 Nov 2000
Estimate
£1,500 - £2,000
ca. US$2,139 - US$2,852
Price realised:
£3,055
ca. US$4,357
Beschreibung:

GOETHE, Johann Wolfgang von (1749-1832). Two letters to an unidentified correspondent [Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling], written and signed on Goethe's behalf by Friedrich Wilhelm Riemer, the first (signed 'Goethe'), Weimar, 13 September 1806, one page, 4to , the second (signed 'G'), Weimar, 31 October 1806, one page, 4to , integral address panel (small tear to outer margin not affecting text); together with: JACOBI, Friedrich Heinrich (1743-1819). Autograph letter signed to Schelling, n.p., 7 October 1807, one page, 4to , on a bifolium, address panel (seal tear); LUDWIG I, King of Bavaria (1825-1848). Letter signed (as Crown Prince) to Schelling, Salzburg, 28 June 1811, one page, 4to , on a bifolium (slight offsetting). Provenance . By descent to Schelling's grandson, Ulrich von Schelling, who gave the letters to the father of the present owner. Goethe's dictated letter of 13 September 1806 replies to a request from Schelling on behalf of an actress friend, undertaking to receive her when she passes through Weimar but explaining that he is not in a position to make promises of guest roles for her. Goethe is happy that Schelling is now settled [in Munich] and encourages him to travel to Weimar 'an unsren literarischen und critischen Bemühungen Theil zu machen' (to take part in our literary and critical endeavours). Seven weeks later on 31 October he reports on one of the most dramatic incidents of his Weimar years, the incursion of French troops after the battle of Jena, sadly to be expected, but after 72 hours of danger there is much to be thankful for. The scientific and artistic institutions under his own control suffered little. Everyone is recovering now and 'wenn der ungeheure Kriegsstrom uns nicht zum zweitenmal berührt, so sollen Sie bald hören, dass Leben und Tätigkeit bei uns noch nicht erloschen sind' (provided the great torrent of war does not disturb us a second time, you will shortly hear that life and activity are not yet extinct here). Jacobi and the future Ludwig I address Schelling as General Secretary of the Munich Akademie den bildenden Kunst, the former suggesting a way of persuading the Crown Prince to agree to a date for a forthcoming public meeting, the latter (four years later) showing his support for the general Bavarian art exhibition in October 1811, and its aim of reviving and promoting art, especially of a patriotic nature. The battle of Jena took place on 14 October 1806, and both Jena and the nearby Weimar were occupied and to some extent plundered by French troops. Goethe's house was requisitioned as a billet, and two tirailleurs made a drunken attempt to break into his bedroom, but were deterred by his mistress, Christiane Vulpius. Goethe's amanuensis, Friedrich Wilhelm Riemer (1774-1845), philologist and writer, was from 1801 to 1803 in the household of Wilhelm von Humboldt whom he accompanied to Rome. On his return he entered Goethe's household, and remained there until 1812 as a trusted adviser on literary and philological questions, to whom Goethe dictated letters and texts, and also tutor to August, his son by Christiane Vulpius. He subsequently became a professor at the Gymnasium in Weimar, and then librarian to the Grand Duke, before returning to Goethe's household in 1819. He married Caroline Ulrich, Christiane's friend and companion, and together with Eckermann was entrusted with the editing of Goethe's literary estate. In his diaries Goethe mentions Riemer re-ordering poems, amending titles, and working through Faust with him, and marvels at his circumspection and profound knowledge of language ('Ich bewunderte seine Umsicht und tiefdringende Sprachkenntnis', S.Unseld, Goethe und seine Verleger , 1991, p.497). (4)

Auction archive: Lot number 203
Auction:
Datum:
29 Nov 2000
Auction house:
Christie's
London, King Street
Beschreibung:

GOETHE, Johann Wolfgang von (1749-1832). Two letters to an unidentified correspondent [Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling], written and signed on Goethe's behalf by Friedrich Wilhelm Riemer, the first (signed 'Goethe'), Weimar, 13 September 1806, one page, 4to , the second (signed 'G'), Weimar, 31 October 1806, one page, 4to , integral address panel (small tear to outer margin not affecting text); together with: JACOBI, Friedrich Heinrich (1743-1819). Autograph letter signed to Schelling, n.p., 7 October 1807, one page, 4to , on a bifolium, address panel (seal tear); LUDWIG I, King of Bavaria (1825-1848). Letter signed (as Crown Prince) to Schelling, Salzburg, 28 June 1811, one page, 4to , on a bifolium (slight offsetting). Provenance . By descent to Schelling's grandson, Ulrich von Schelling, who gave the letters to the father of the present owner. Goethe's dictated letter of 13 September 1806 replies to a request from Schelling on behalf of an actress friend, undertaking to receive her when she passes through Weimar but explaining that he is not in a position to make promises of guest roles for her. Goethe is happy that Schelling is now settled [in Munich] and encourages him to travel to Weimar 'an unsren literarischen und critischen Bemühungen Theil zu machen' (to take part in our literary and critical endeavours). Seven weeks later on 31 October he reports on one of the most dramatic incidents of his Weimar years, the incursion of French troops after the battle of Jena, sadly to be expected, but after 72 hours of danger there is much to be thankful for. The scientific and artistic institutions under his own control suffered little. Everyone is recovering now and 'wenn der ungeheure Kriegsstrom uns nicht zum zweitenmal berührt, so sollen Sie bald hören, dass Leben und Tätigkeit bei uns noch nicht erloschen sind' (provided the great torrent of war does not disturb us a second time, you will shortly hear that life and activity are not yet extinct here). Jacobi and the future Ludwig I address Schelling as General Secretary of the Munich Akademie den bildenden Kunst, the former suggesting a way of persuading the Crown Prince to agree to a date for a forthcoming public meeting, the latter (four years later) showing his support for the general Bavarian art exhibition in October 1811, and its aim of reviving and promoting art, especially of a patriotic nature. The battle of Jena took place on 14 October 1806, and both Jena and the nearby Weimar were occupied and to some extent plundered by French troops. Goethe's house was requisitioned as a billet, and two tirailleurs made a drunken attempt to break into his bedroom, but were deterred by his mistress, Christiane Vulpius. Goethe's amanuensis, Friedrich Wilhelm Riemer (1774-1845), philologist and writer, was from 1801 to 1803 in the household of Wilhelm von Humboldt whom he accompanied to Rome. On his return he entered Goethe's household, and remained there until 1812 as a trusted adviser on literary and philological questions, to whom Goethe dictated letters and texts, and also tutor to August, his son by Christiane Vulpius. He subsequently became a professor at the Gymnasium in Weimar, and then librarian to the Grand Duke, before returning to Goethe's household in 1819. He married Caroline Ulrich, Christiane's friend and companion, and together with Eckermann was entrusted with the editing of Goethe's literary estate. In his diaries Goethe mentions Riemer re-ordering poems, amending titles, and working through Faust with him, and marvels at his circumspection and profound knowledge of language ('Ich bewunderte seine Umsicht und tiefdringende Sprachkenntnis', S.Unseld, Goethe und seine Verleger , 1991, p.497). (4)

Auction archive: Lot number 203
Auction:
Datum:
29 Nov 2000
Auction house:
Christie's
London, King Street
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