Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von

scolding her for not having informed him of her illness in Dresden, referring to the Congress of Erfurt, expressing his relief that the torrent of emperors and kings has now receded, noting that after these remarkable events the wisest man among them is distinguishable from fools in that the former is a little less crazy than the rest, noting that whoever observed only what went on in public lately may justifiably say that he got to see the most colourful and wondrous things, commenting that he himself was not so lucky as he could only be present where he was commanded to be and where his services were required, referring among other matters to the controversial performance of the French actors in Weimar, in the same place that came under French fire two years ago, describing their art as marvellous but misconceived, providing a penetrating description of the priceless Talma, also mentioning Humboldt, Arnim, Brentano and Baggesen, and asking her not to believe anything he has said, but to laugh at it

...Wer jedoch alles gesehen hätte, was auch nur öffentlich in diesen Zeiträumen bey uns sich ereignet, der könnte schon sagen daß ihm das bunteste und wunderlichste vor den Augen vorbeigegangen wäre. Ich selbst war nicht so glücklich; denn da ich mich körperlich und geistig zu menagiren Ursache habe, so konnte ich in diesen Tagen eigentlich nur gegenwärtig seyn, wo ich gefordert war und wo ich was zu leisten hatte... 



4 pages, 4to, a few pencil annotations, modern pencil numbering "38" to upper margin of first page, with a leaf from a German auction catalogue listing the present letter, old auction folder, Weimar, 4 December 1808, vertical and horizontal folds, some light browning, slight splitting to vertical fold

Goethes Werke. Weimarer Ausgabe, IV. Abteilung, Bd. 20, Nr. 5647

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."

A witty letter written against the background of  a notable historical event.

A few months before the present letter, at the Congress of Erfurt (27 September to 14 October 1808), Napoleon met Tsar Alexander I of Russia, together with over thirty ruling heads of Europe, with the aim of reaffirming the alliance concluded with the Treaty of Tilsit (1807). Also present was the actor François-Joseph Talma (1763-1826) and the entire Comédie Française, who performed no fewer than sixteen French tragedies during the conference. Goethe, who amusingly plays down in his letter the extent of his participation in the events at Erfurt, was received by Napoleon on 2 October. His correspondent was his friend the Jewish writer Marianne von Eybenberg, née Meyer (1770-1812), who, after the death of her husband the Austrian Ambassador in Berlin Prince von Reuss (1749-1799), lived in Vienna where she was a notable salonnière.

For another letter signed by Goethe, see lot 99. ­