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Autographs from a private Japanese collection
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
Autograph letter signed ('I. Kant') to [Christian Friedrich Jensch], n.p., 28 October 1800
Details
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
Autograph letter signed ('I. Kant') to [Christian Friedrich Jensch], n.p., 28 October 1800
In German. Half page, 175 x 195mm, integral address panel, Jensch's reply at lower margin of recto, the verso with autograph notes by Kant in pen and pencil written after the letter was returned to him; with a later transcription of Kant's notes on a separate leaf. Framed and glazed. Provenance: Stargardt, 27 June 1990, lot 574.
An enquiry to a former student about a delivery of gourmet turnips, and notes on the Buddhist mantra and the US Founding Fathers. Kant writes to his friend and former student Jensch for confirmation that a delivery of his favourite turnips has been arranged:
'Meine augenblickliche Störung, geehrtester Freund, in Ihrem Amtsgeschäfte, durch die Anfrage: ob Sie wegen der Passenheimer-Rüben sicher sind, sie gebetener maaßen anzuschaffen? Bitte ergebenst mir nicht zu verübeln und sie bloß mit einem einfachen Ja aus dem Collegio zurück sagen zu lassen, wenn dazu gegründete Erwartung ist'.
(My present interruption, dearest friend, in your official business, is with the inquiry: whether you are certain that you will procure the Passenheim turnips as requested? Please do not take offence: simply allow the Collegium to reply with a simple 'yes' if there is a well-founded expectation of this.)
Jensch annotates his reassuring reply below Kant's letter, and evidently returned the billet to Kant, who then reused the verso for scattered notes on academic and domestic matters including the names of the US Founding Fathers Adams and Jefferson, two references to the Ragusan Republic (centred on modern Dubrovnik), the Latin words 'Alphabetum Tibetanum' followed by the Tibetan Buddhist mantra 'Om-Mani-Pame-Hum', a record of an academic colleague asking for his bust and two other colleagues who drink red wine, a mention of procuring English cheese from the merchant Robert Motherby, a query as to the number of his house, and other matters.
Kant had a particular passion for turnips, especially the prized varieties from Teltow and Passenheim. Christian Friedrich Jensch (d. 1802) was a former student of Kant's, who by this date served as a Kriminalrat in Königsberg; he was a regular lunch guest of Kant’s. The little East Prussian town of Passenheim (now Pasym in eastern Poland) was famous at this date for its delicious turnips.
Autograph letter signed ('I. Kant') to [Christian Friedrich Jensch], n.p., 28 October 1800
In German. Half page, 175 x 195mm, integral address panel, Jensch's reply at lower margin of recto, the verso with autograph notes by Kant in pen and pencil written after the letter was returned to him; with a later transcription of Kant's notes on a separate leaf. Framed and glazed. Provenance: Stargardt, 27 June 1990, lot 574.
An enquiry to a former student about a delivery of gourmet turnips, and notes on the Buddhist mantra and the US Founding Fathers. Kant writes to his friend and former student Jensch for confirmation that a delivery of his favourite turnips has been arranged:
'Meine augenblickliche Störung, geehrtester Freund, in Ihrem Amtsgeschäfte, durch die Anfrage: ob Sie wegen der Passenheimer-Rüben sicher sind, sie gebetener maaßen anzuschaffen? Bitte ergebenst mir nicht zu verübeln und sie bloß mit einem einfachen Ja aus dem Collegio zurück sagen zu lassen, wenn dazu gegründete Erwartung ist'.
(My present interruption, dearest friend, in your official business, is with the inquiry: whether you are certain that you will procure the Passenheim turnips as requested? Please do not take offence: simply allow the Collegium to reply with a simple 'yes' if there is a well-founded expectation of this.)
Jensch annotates his reassuring reply below Kant's letter, and evidently returned the billet to Kant, who then reused the verso for scattered notes on academic and domestic matters including the names of the US Founding Fathers Adams and Jefferson, two references to the Ragusan Republic (centred on modern Dubrovnik), the Latin words 'Alphabetum Tibetanum' followed by the Tibetan Buddhist mantra 'Om-Mani-Pame-Hum', a record of an academic colleague asking for his bust and two other colleagues who drink red wine, a mention of procuring English cheese from the merchant Robert Motherby, a query as to the number of his house, and other matters.
Kant had a particular passion for turnips, especially the prized varieties from Teltow and Passenheim. Christian Friedrich Jensch (d. 1802) was a former student of Kant's, who by this date served as a Kriminalrat in Königsberg; he was a regular lunch guest of Kant’s. The little East Prussian town of Passenheim (now Pasym in eastern Poland) was famous at this date for its delicious turnips.
Brought to you by
Eugenio Donadoni
Senior Specialist, Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts