Lot 263

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Nietzsche Rare ALS to Childhood Friend, “have a rest in an alpine valley away from murderers and other rascals”, Superb

NIETZSCHE, FRIEDRICH. Autograph Letter Signed, “Fritz Nietzsche,” in German, 3 pp. on 2 adjoining sheets, , July 4, 1869, 5.25" x 8.25". Fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Nietzsche's hand and bearing his complete monogrammed wax seal ,"F. N.", on verso.

Nietzsche writes to his childhood friend, Wilhelm Pinder, translated, in part, "The first sign of life that you receive from me from Basel is a birthday letter. You can see the demoralizing influence of such an office: you learn to neglect your most sacred duties, friendship. Today, however, when a look at the calendar made it clear to me the injustice I had committed, I was urged to ask you for absolution, which of course I would have preferred to ask you personally, considering that solemn Rutiscene [a magnificent mountain on the lakes near Lucerne] on the Naumberg pavement and that one there gives mutual promise to meet as soon as possible in Basel for the purpose of a good breakfast and other serious things…I should think that after the storms and excitement of your profession, you should often have a longing to have a rest in an alpine valley away from murderers and other rascals…You always have to tell me such plans first, because I am now for all my friends the Alpine Guide, who will receive them at the Swiss border and who will be happy to present this new fatherland with its beauties."

Immediately after completing his studies, Nietzsche was appointed professor of classical philology at the University of Basel in the summer semester of 1869. As he was only 24 years old, this was a remarkable appointment; he had not completed his doctorate nor received a teaching certificate, yet he became the youngest person ever to hold the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel. With the help of Leipzig University professor Friedrich Wilhelm Rischi, Nietzsche received an honorary doctorate at the University of Leipzig.

Letters by Nietzsche are incredibly rare and highly sought after. This letter originally appeared over 45 years ago at Sotheby’s, in 1975.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

March 3, 2021 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000