RILKE RAINER MARIA Autograph Letter Signed to poet Alfred Wo

Sale 2619 - Lot 113

Price Realized: $ 2,375

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Estimate: $ 2,500 - $ 3,500

"ON RE-READING [YOUR POEMS] I FELT . . . JOY ABOUT THEIR . . . EXISTENCE" RILKE, RAINER MARIA. Autograph Letter Signed, to poet Alfred Wolfenstein ("Most valued Mr. Wolfenstein"), in German, recalling their meeting at the Fischer's and pointing out that Rilke is not alone in the responsibility for introducing Wolfenstein's poetry to the book market, and expressing a continuing interest in his work. Written in right margin of second page is the name "Robert Musil" with an arrow pointing to the line concerning responsibility, in unknown hand, in pencil. 2 pages, 8vo, with integral blank; tiny stain affecting one letter of signature, horizontal fold. Paris, 13 June 1914

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". . . I gave the book the most attentive reception when it came to me in so kindly a way . . . . It will give me the most lively pleasure to trace . . . my way over the familiar passages to its meaning.
"You are referring in your letter to the evening at the Fischer's which I . . . remember as my first contact with your poetry and yourself; our small circle had the tension and attention of a very beautiful mutuality. However, you exaggerate if you tend to credit me primarily with the existence of your verses in the book market. Your excellent friend had introduced to us your poems so well, he proved to us . . . their real poetry; on re-reading them I felt . . . more deeply . . . joy about their . . . existence. . . ."
In 1914, Alfred Wolfenstein's first book of poems, Die gottlosen Jahre was published by Samuel Fischer after the urging and support of Rilke and Robert Musil.