Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von

instructing him to place into the charge of Professor Posselt, as discussed, the Jena observatory, as well the instruments, books, furniture and items contained in the garden house, and to consult Hofmechanikus Körner concerning the instruments, requesting him to give one of the two copies of the agreed inventory to Dr. Posselt, the other to be returned to himself, asking him to confirm Carl Lebrecht Hammer in his duties and to provide Dr. Posselt with a copy of the conditions of the former's employment, and concluding with the request that he prepare an exact report on these matters and that he submit it to [the undersigned], signed in Goethe's capacity as director of the "Großherzogl: S. Ober-Aufsicht über alle unmittelbare Anstalten für Wissenschaft und Kunst"

Nachstehender Auftrag zufolge hat H. Dr. Weller dem Herrn Professor Dr. Posselt nach vorhergegangner mündlicher Eröffnung die Sternwarte zu Jena nebst Zubehör folgender Gestalt zu übergeben...



2 pages, 4to, integral address panel, paper seal, crayon numbering to second page ("91."), with a modern typescript transcription, Weimar, 1819, light spotting, small tear

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."

From 1816 Goethe was a minister of state and head of the supervisory office for culture and education in the Grand Duchy of Weimar. One of his various responsibilities was the observatory at Jena, founded in 1812 and built on the site of Schiller's so-called garden house (mentioned here). Johann Friedrich Posselt (1794-1823) was only the observatory's second director. Goethe's correspondent, the librarian and philologist C. E. F. Weller (1789-1854), was then at the start of his career, having been appointed the previous April an auxiliary official dealing with the supervision of the University of Jena.

For further manuscripts by Goethe, please see lots 148-151.