Auction Date:2010 Jan 13 @ 10:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS in German, two pages on adjoining sheets, 5 x 6.75, February 7, 1906. Letter to writer and physician Hugo Salus. In part (translated): “Due to a certain change, the Insel publishing house has kept me waiting for a new lot of books, so it is only today that I can present to you and your dear wife the Book of Hours. Please, accept it as given with sincere affection, in spite of the late arrival, and do not draw any conclusions from the delay. My time is too strained, and my health (otherwise tolerable) forbids me to extend my work into night. Thus, this cannot be a proper letter, just now.” In fine condition.
The work here referenced, The Book of Hours, was inspired by an 1899 trip to Russia in which Rilke met Leo Tolstoy and became enamored by Russian mysticism. The book, originally published in 1905, revealed Rilke’s spiritual yearning. Around this same time, Rilke also worked as the private secretary for sculptor Auguste Rodin, and was inspired by the artist’s modernism, prompting him to develop a writing style he called “thing-poem” as well as a style of lyrical poetry in which the distinction between the observer and observation became combined. Feeling overworked, Rilke abruptly left Rodin a few months after this letter was written. In hindsight, perhaps the departure was not such a surprise, as Rilke admits feeling stressed and “my health...forbids me to extend my work into night.” A wonderful letter with one of the greatest 20th century poets referencing one of his own works.
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5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
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