Freud, Sigmund

thanking him for his letter and for the cutting from the Sunday Times, observing that his article is the declaration of a friend, noting his surprise to learn that he has been awarded the Nobel Prize on the promptings of the Vienna University, referring to the opposition to him when he was awarded the Frankfurt Goethe Prize in 1930, reproaching himself for expatiating during his visit on the contents of his Moses, instead of letting him talk about his work and plans, stating that Moses shall never see the light of day again, concluding in a postscript by asking him whether he is interested in the debate concerning the identity of Shakespeare, and admitting that he is virtually convinced that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, was in fact Shakespeare

...Nach Ihrem Besuch am 15 September habe ich mir ernste Vorwürfe gemacht, daß ich den Inhalt der "Moses" ausführlich vor Ihnen ausgebreitet, anstatt Sie von Ihren Arbeiten und Absichten erzählen zu lassen. Der Moses wird niemals das Licht der Öffentlichkeit erblicken...  



2 pages, 4to, on stationery printed "Prof. D^r. Freud Wien, IX., Berggasse 19.", [Vienna,] 5 November 1935, horizontal fold, some light creasing

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."

Despite the views expressed by Freud here, Der Mann Moses und die monotheistische Religion, his last completed book, was in fact published four years later, in 1939. Although nominated twelve times for the Nobel Prize for Medicine, Freud was never awarded that honour, the Nobel committee being of the opinion that his work was of no proven scientific value. Romain Rolland's nomination of him for the Literature Prize in 1936 was also unsuccessful.