Details
WERFEL, Franz (1890-1945). Series of approx 14 autograph letters signed and 12 autograph postcards signed ('Franz Werfel', 'Werfel', 'F.W.', 'W.') to Alice Gerstel, the majority at the [East Galician] front, a few Vienna, [postmarked 27 June 1916 - 22 June 1917], and n.d., together approx 30 pages, 8vo, and 24 pages, 4to, ten envelopes.
WERFEL AT THE EASTERN FRONT. Werfel's letters, written to an admirer in his native Prague during his service in Heavy Field Artillery Regiment no.19 in East Galicia, give a good impression of the constant activity ('zwischen tausend Geschäften') and craving for news of his military service, expressing also pleasure at her letters, and referring to recent works, the letters giving a number of insights into his views and self-image: 'Ich selbst komme mir sehr gewöhnlich vor, allerdings manchmal mit einer Dynamik begabt, die ich vor anderen übertreiben mag, aber was Manchem als Dämon erscheint, in mir fühlt es sich an als eine Mosaik von sehr wenig einheitlichen, guten und hohen Dingen'. Responses to his correspondent's writing and thought also provoke some revealing passages: 'Trägheit des Herzens und der geistige Tod -- dies sind die zwei Wurzel-Sunden, die ihre eigene Hölle zugleich sind'; his suggestions for reading include Nietzsche and Tolstoy, especially Resurrection, 'ein sehr wichtiges Buch für uns'.
In summer 1917 Werfel was transferred from active military service to the military press department in Vienna.
WERFEL AT THE EASTERN FRONT. Werfel's letters, written to an admirer in his native Prague during his service in Heavy Field Artillery Regiment no.19 in East Galicia, give a good impression of the constant activity ('zwischen tausend Geschäften') and craving for news of his military service, expressing also pleasure at her letters, and referring to recent works, the letters giving a number of insights into his views and self-image: 'Ich selbst komme mir sehr gewöhnlich vor, allerdings manchmal mit einer Dynamik begabt, die ich vor anderen übertreiben mag, aber was Manchem als Dämon erscheint, in mir fühlt es sich an als eine Mosaik von sehr wenig einheitlichen, guten und hohen Dingen'. Responses to his correspondent's writing and thought also provoke some revealing passages: 'Trägheit des Herzens und der geistige Tod -- dies sind die zwei Wurzel-Sunden, die ihre eigene Hölle zugleich sind'; his suggestions for reading include Nietzsche and Tolstoy, especially Resurrection, 'ein sehr wichtiges Buch für uns'.
In summer 1917 Werfel was transferred from active military service to the military press department in Vienna.
Special notice
VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.