- 52
Celan, Paul.
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Autograph letter, signed ("Paul Celan"), to the poet and critic Gerhard Neumann
- paper and ink
offering a critique of his poetry and commenting on aspects of his own writing, thanking him for sending him a volume of his poetry, noting that he had acquired his volume Wind auf der Haut two years ago in Frankfurt, observing that he himself is no critic and that whenever he tries to arrange his thoughts in essay form they prove highly recalcitrant, informing him that he has put all his thoughts on the poem, now for the third time, in a volume of poetry, concluding by praising his verse, stating that he envies the sharpness of his contours, the light he shines on the subjects of his observations and the timbre of finality which characterize his poems, 2 pages, 4to (27 x 21cm), Paris, 78 rue de Longchamp, 7 November 1958, horizontal and vertical folds, light creasing
...Ich bin kein Kritiker, meine Gedanken zeigen sich, sooft ich sie im Essay unterzubringen versuche, recht widerspenstig (ich habe alles, was mit meinen Vorstellungen vom Gedicht zusammenhängt, nun zum drittenmal - in einen Gedichtband getan...), aber ich möchte doch dies eine nicht ungesagt lassen: daß ich Sie um die Schärfe Ihrer Konturen beneide, um das Licht, in das Sie das Ihnen Entgegentretende zu stellen wissen, um das - nun kommt ein etwas gewagtes wort - Endlichkeits-Timbre, das Ihre Gedichte haben...
...Ich bin kein Kritiker, meine Gedanken zeigen sich, sooft ich sie im Essay unterzubringen versuche, recht widerspenstig (ich habe alles, was mit meinen Vorstellungen vom Gedicht zusammenhängt, nun zum drittenmal - in einen Gedichtband getan...), aber ich möchte doch dies eine nicht ungesagt lassen: daß ich Sie um die Schärfe Ihrer Konturen beneide, um das Licht, in das Sie das Ihnen Entgegentretende zu stellen wissen, um das - nun kommt ein etwas gewagtes wort - Endlichkeits-Timbre, das Ihre Gedichte haben...
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Celan's correspondent is the German poet, essayist and critic Gerhard Neumann (1928-2002), considered during the 1950s to be one of the most significant lyric poets of the then younger generation.