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KAFKA, Franz (1883-1924). Betrachtung. Leipzig: Ernst Rowohlt Verlag, 1913 [dated on verso of title: 1912]
8° (246 x 161mm). [6],99pp, original orange printed paper covers, (hinges skilfully repaired, edges strengthened, light staining on back cover), in vellum-backed case
FIRST EDITION WITH AUTOGRAPH DEDICATION OF KAFKA'S FIRST BOOK. Very rare. The volume was published by Rowohlt in association with Kurt Wolff, a partnership that broke up in November 1912. Of the edition of 800 copies, no more than 300 were sold before the remaining stock was taken over by Wolff, who re-issued the sheets in 1915 with a new title. The present copy is numbered 154. The full history of publication is given by L. Dietz, Franz Kafka (Heidelberg 1982), pp 38ff and 72-4. This is a revised version of Kafka's first publication in the journal Hyperion in 1908.
The signed inscription on the front endpaper reads "Der grosse Franz grüsst den kleinen Franz", dated 24.I.13. It seems probable that this copy was presented by Kafka to Franz Werfel, at that time one of his close friends, whose writings he admired greatly [cf. Letter to Felice of 12.Dec.1912]. Werfel had left Prague for Leipzig in October 1912, having been engaged by Kurt Wolff as reader for the Rowohlt Verlag. However in January 1913, Werfel returned to Prague to give public readings and during his stay he and Kafka read to each other from their works. This is described in Kafka's letter to Felice of 1/2 February 1913 'Ich habe den ganzen Nachmittag mit Werfel, den Abend mit Max verbracht ... Werfel hat mir neue Gedichte vorgelesen, die wieder zweifellos aus einer ungeheueren Natur herkommen ... und der Junge ist schön geworden und liest mit einer Wildheit ... Er kann alles, was er je geschrieben hat, auswendig und scheint sich beim Vorlesen zerfetzen zu wollen, so setzt das Feuer diesen schweren Körper, diese grosse Brust, die runden Wangen in Brand ...". On that occasion Werfel inscribed a copy of his own poems Der Weltfreund for Felice. It is uncertain when Werfel arrived in Prague, but it was presumably before the 24 January, when Kafka would have presented him with a copy of Betrachtung at the first meeting.
PRESENTATION COPIES OF ANY OF KAFKA'S WORKS ARE VERY RARE
Literature: Franz Kafka Briefe an Felice und andere Korrespondenz us der Verlobungszeit. Hrsg. E.Heller and J.Born. 1967, pp 178 and 280-81
P.S.Jungk Franz Werfel, eine Lebensgeschichte. 1987, pp 53-54 and 362-3
8° (246 x 161mm). [6],99pp, original orange printed paper covers, (hinges skilfully repaired, edges strengthened, light staining on back cover), in vellum-backed case
FIRST EDITION WITH AUTOGRAPH DEDICATION OF KAFKA'S FIRST BOOK. Very rare. The volume was published by Rowohlt in association with Kurt Wolff, a partnership that broke up in November 1912. Of the edition of 800 copies, no more than 300 were sold before the remaining stock was taken over by Wolff, who re-issued the sheets in 1915 with a new title. The present copy is numbered 154. The full history of publication is given by L. Dietz, Franz Kafka (Heidelberg 1982), pp 38ff and 72-4. This is a revised version of Kafka's first publication in the journal Hyperion in 1908.
The signed inscription on the front endpaper reads "Der grosse Franz grüsst den kleinen Franz", dated 24.I.13. It seems probable that this copy was presented by Kafka to Franz Werfel, at that time one of his close friends, whose writings he admired greatly [cf. Letter to Felice of 12.Dec.1912]. Werfel had left Prague for Leipzig in October 1912, having been engaged by Kurt Wolff as reader for the Rowohlt Verlag. However in January 1913, Werfel returned to Prague to give public readings and during his stay he and Kafka read to each other from their works. This is described in Kafka's letter to Felice of 1/2 February 1913 'Ich habe den ganzen Nachmittag mit Werfel, den Abend mit Max verbracht ... Werfel hat mir neue Gedichte vorgelesen, die wieder zweifellos aus einer ungeheueren Natur herkommen ... und der Junge ist schön geworden und liest mit einer Wildheit ... Er kann alles, was er je geschrieben hat, auswendig und scheint sich beim Vorlesen zerfetzen zu wollen, so setzt das Feuer diesen schweren Körper, diese grosse Brust, die runden Wangen in Brand ...". On that occasion Werfel inscribed a copy of his own poems Der Weltfreund for Felice. It is uncertain when Werfel arrived in Prague, but it was presumably before the 24 January, when Kafka would have presented him with a copy of Betrachtung at the first meeting.
PRESENTATION COPIES OF ANY OF KAFKA'S WORKS ARE VERY RARE
Literature: Franz Kafka Briefe an Felice und andere Korrespondenz us der Verlobungszeit. Hrsg. E.Heller and J.Born. 1967, pp 178 and 280-81
P.S.Jungk Franz Werfel, eine Lebensgeschichte. 1987, pp 53-54 and 362-3