German writer, scientist, and philosopher (1749–1832) who takes a place among the central intellectual and artistic figures of his day. His poetry and dramatic works provided source material for Beethoven, Schubert, and Berlioz, among others. Hand-addressed mailing envelope in German, 5.25 x 4.25, stamp-dated March 25, 1827, initialed on the flap remnant affixed to the reverse with a red wax seal by Goethe, “JWvG.” The envelope is addressed to mineral dealer David Knoll in Carlsbad. A crease to the top and scattered foxing and toning, otherwise fine condition. Goethe visited the Czech city Carlsbad 12 times between 1785 and 1820, where he befriended Joseph Muller, a stone cutter who had assembled a large cabinet of minerals; together, Goethe and Muller explored the geology and mineralogy of the Carlsbad area. After Muller’s death in 1817, David Knoll purchased and vastly expanded this collection of minerals. In addition to his literary endeavors, Goethe was also keenly involved in studies of natural science—he held the largest private collection of minerals in all of Europe, and had collected 17,800 rock samples by the time of his death. RR Auction COA.
