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312

Arthur Schopenhauer

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:250,000.00 - 300,000.00 USD
Arthur Schopenhauer

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Auction Date:2014 Jan 15 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Exceedingly rare lengthy autograph manuscript in German for a portion of his 1851 collection of philosophical reflections entitled Parerga and Paralipomena, 12 pages on three sets of adjoining sheets, 8.5 x 13.5, no date. Schopenhauer's working manuscript for chapter six, ‘Zur Philosophie und Wissenschaft der Natur,’ of the second volume, in which he discusses cosmogony and the movement of the planets, mentions Johannes Kepler's Laws as well as contributions made by Immanuel Kant and especially Pierre-Simon Laplace, then continues to expand these considerations to the level of metaphysics. In part (translated): “The truth of cosmogony, however, is based not only on the space-relationship upon which Laplace insisted, namely, that 45 celestial bodies circle in a uniform direction and at the same time rotate likewise; more firmly still is it rooted in the time-relationship, expressed by the first and third Law of Kepler…These thoughts on cosmogony give rise to two metaphysical reflections…Even such a far-reaching physical explanation of the world's creation can never satisfy the desire for a metaphysical one, or indeed take its place. On the contrary! The closer you come to tracking down a phenomenon, the more clearly it appears that it is precisely that: a mere phenomenon, an apparition, and not at all the essence of the thing in itself.” Beginning with the final paragraph of section 85, this manuscript is extensively hand-corrected with some passages struck through entirely. In fine condition, with overall toning and some trivial chipping to edges. Provenance: on loan to the Dresden State Library until 1945; later in a foreign private collection; sold J. A. Stargardt, October 4, 1989.

Compiled as supplemental philosophical reflections for readers already familiar with his work, Schopenhauer’s Parerga and Paralipomena almost never hit the market. With such unenthusiastic responses to his previous publications—none of which had yet seen a second edition—no publisher wanted to take on the new two-volume release. After much difficulty and with the much-needed help of his close friend and disciple Julius Frauenstadt, Hayn of Berlin finally consented to publish a small run of 750 copies, with only ten for the author. Ironically, it was this publication—his last major work—that finally got the attention of the public, immediately propelling the somewhat obscure philosopher into lasting prominence. Its wide range of topics, critiques, and commentaries on other notable philosophers sparked readers’ attention in his earlier works, all of which were published in new editions within the next decade. An autograph piece of Schopenhauer’s own philosophical reflections, especially of this length and importance, are virtually impossible to find: this is only the fourth item from the revered philosopher that we have offered, and by far the finest.
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