Schopenhauer, Arthur

enclosing a certified copy of the death certificate of Frau Mertens [not included here], noting the trouble that this has entailed him and others, asking that its cost of 20 Silbergroschen, plus 5 Silbergroschen postage, be added to the sum from his life annuity between 22 October and 31 December and sent to him so that he might at last have something for all his efforts, explaining that the death certificate itself is in Italian, the certifications being in Italian and German, noting that Madame Mertens was a Catholic and had received the last rites as well as a papal blessing, informing him that a detailed article on her life and death is contained in the first issue of this year's Europa, observing that she had a reputation as an archaeologist, thanking him for the news of the death of the old Tietz, of which he was unaware, asking him to keep him informed of other deaths in this family, and of any news in Danzig concerning him and his philosophy, and stating finally that he is going to be photographed the next day for the Leipzig Illustrirte Zeitung; following the end of the letter are six lines in Friedrichsen's hand, dated "12 Feb 58", acknowledging receipt 

...Ich danke Ihnen für die Nachricht des Todes der alten Tietz, den ich nicht wußte. Etwanige andre Sterbefälle in dieser Familie bitte ich mir anzuzeigen; wie auch was sonst in Danzig über mich und meine Philosophie etwan vorkommen möchte, oder gar Gedrucktes. Sie brauchen es nicht zu frankiren. Morgen werde ich für die Leipziger Illustr: Zeitung photographiert...



2 pages, 4to (288 x 230mm), folder, Frankfurt, 5 February 1858, small tear with paper-loss to upper margin, remains of mount

Arthur Hübscher, "Unbekanntes von Arthur Schopenhauer", Schopenhauer-Jahrbuch xxxiv (1951/1952), pp. 62-63

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."

Sibylle Mertens, a friend of Schopenhauer's sister Adele, had for many years been responsible for managing the latter's property affairs in Ohra near Danzig, for which she received the rental sum of 150 Thalers under the condition that she pay Adele a yearly pension of 510 Thalers. After Adele's death, on 25 August 1849, the payment of the rental was transferred by Sibylle to Schopenhauer; when she sold her property interests on 2 July 1855 to Daniel Friedrichsen, the latter was committed to the continued payment of the rental sum of 150 Thalers for the duration of Schopenhauer's life. When Sibylle died, on 22 October 1857, one of her sons-in-law, Dr. Heimsoeth, provided Schopenhauer with the legally certified copy of the death certificate which had been requested by Friedrichsen in connection with the settling of their affairs. As Schopenhauer confided in a later letter to Friedrichsen, his life annuity was the last link connecting him with Danzig, the city of his birth.