Kästner, Erich

written in ballpoint pen in the form of a letter, signed "Erich Kästner", and addressed "Liebe Kinder", noting that Emil first appeared forty years ago, and is now seventy, illustrating the passing of the years with an anecdote concerning his Danish translator, who used to leave a stool with a whisky and soda on the stairs half way up to his flat at the top of the building, commenting that the children who read Emil in 1928 have now themselves became parents and grandparents, and that their children and grandchildren now know the book, explaining that he knows this on account of the letters he receives from all over the world, observing that the only one who has not got older is Emil Tischbein, remarking that the fortunate thing about figures in novels is that they live between two covers without ageing, imagining that if Emil had really lived he would be a fifty-three-year-old man now, probably bald and with a beard, instead of which he is still a twelve-year-old schoolboy who will never have to shave, and wishing him, were he alive, that he might remain for a long time as young as he was then and is today

...So sind, seit 1928, alle miteinander sehr viel älter geworden. Bis auf Emil Tischbein, der noch immer brav aus Neustadt nach Berlin fährt, bestohlen wird und Freunde findet, die ihm helfen. Es ist das eigentümliche Geschick von Romanfiguren: Sie leben zwischen zwei Buchdeckeln, ohne zu altern!...



3 pages, small 4to, no place, February 1969

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."

Translated into at least 59 languages and filmed numerous times, Emil und die Detektive was Kästner's most famous book and remains one of the most popular stories for children ever written. It was first published in 1929.