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Walter Benjamin

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:12,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
Walter Benjamin

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Auction Date:2018 Jul 11 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
German philosopher and cultural critic (1892–1940) who made enduring and influential contributions to aesthetic theory and Western Marxism. Substantial archive of Benjamin family correspondence, comprising eighteen letters totaling thirty-nine pages, including one ALS by Walter Benjamin, eight ALSs by Georg Benjamin, three ALSs by Georg's fiancee Grete Kliem, and six ALSs by her friend Lisabeth. Most important is the ALS in German by Walter Benjamin, signed "Walter," one page, 4.5 x 7, January 21, 1923. In full (translated): "When your message arrived I once more noticed how undeveloped is my female intuition as to matters of marriage and engagement, for had I possessed only a minor quantity I might well have guessed at the reason for your frequent trips to Hagen. The more surprised I am, the more cordially I wish you and your future wife every happiness with your decision. I hope it will not be long before we see the both of you at our place.

Dora will remain here for some time yet; her recuperation is naturally slow, but it is steady. Still, the doctor has ordered rest for a long period. At present Stefan is with us up here; unfortunately the flu was rampant in the sanitarium, and he was in bed with it for a short while, as was I. But he's quite well again. Since today the winter weather is splendid with sunshine, so I will also stay a little longer. I work here as well as I can, preparing the publication of my late friend's archive.

The news from Germany is certainly as dismal as can be. May you trust in your own strength and not let your happy days be diminished; please give your fiancee my kindest regards." In overall fine condition. A remarkable archive of material of scholarly importance, lending insight into ideological differences within Benjamin's family. Walter Benjamin committed suicide in 1940 at the French–Spanish border while attempting to escape from invading Nazi forces; Georg Benjamin would be murdered at Mauthausen concentration camp in 1942.