Brod, Max

responding to a negative review by Weltmann of his novel Die Frau, nach der man sehnt and responding in detail to his criticisms, promising to send him part of his study of the Jewish element in Kafka, which was published many years earlier in a small Prague paper, discussing Zionism, referring to his Heine biography and four poems he has just written, noting that he will only allow the latter in Germany to be published in a Jewish paper or read aloud

...Ich sende Ihnen auch noch einige Worte der jüdischen Deutung Kafkas, - auch sie sind unveröffentlicht, wenn man vom Druck in einem kleinen Prager Blatt absieht...



8 pages, various sizes, pencil note in Brod's hand to the letter of 15 May ("Ungedrucktes von Kafka folgt"), Prague, 31 January, [1927 or later] and no place, 15 May, [c. 1934], ring-binder holes, very slightly affecting the text in places; together with an autograph album-leaf signed ("Max Brod") containing four lines from Brod's 1915 poem Kosmos ("Wann du, Mensch, dich gut zu sein entscheidest...") and a caricature drawing of an unidentifed man, 1 page, 4to, the verso containing an entry in another hand, Prague, 1 May 1916

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."

Although best known as Kafka's friend and biographer, Max Brod was also a notable writer of novels focussing on the history of the Jews in an often hostile world. Die Frau, nach der man sehnt of 1927 was his most successful novel, and was made into a film two years later with Marlene Dietrich. Brod's correspondent Lutz Weltmann (1901-1967), a distinguished writer, journalist and man of the theatre, was active in Berlin before his emigration to Britain in 1939.