ALS in German, signed “Freud,” one page, 5.5 x 8.25, personal letterhead, June 4, 1908. Handwritten letter, in full (translated): "After receiving the message from my friends in Zurich, I can tell you that I am prepared to participate in your planned founding of a central newspaper." In fine condition, with light corner creasing, and multiple file holes.
The "central newspaper" that Freud refers to is the ‘Jahrbuch fur Psychoanalytische und Psychopathologische Forschungen’ [Yearbook for Psychoanalytic and Psychopathologic Research], the first official journal of the psychoanalytic movement.
The journal arose from the first International Psychoanalytical Congress (IPC), held in Salzburg on April 27, 1908, which served as an international meeting of colleagues who shared a common interest in psychoanalysis. The event was initiated by Carl Jung and Welsh psychoanalyst Ernest Jones, with Freud eventually welcoming the idea and suggesting Salzburg as the host location. Among the results of this first IPC was Freud’s presentation of the case of the Rat Man, and the inception of the Yearbook for Psychoanalytic and Psychopathologic Research, a forum dedicated to the latest research and theoretical developments in the fields of psychoanalytic thought.
As quoted from his 1914 book History of the Psychoanalytic Movement, Freud gives an account of the Salzburg meeting and the referenced journal:
‘In 1907 the situation suddenly altered and quite contrary to all expectations; it became evident that psychoanalysis had unobtrusively awakened some interest and gained some friends, that there were even some scientific workers who were prepared to admit their allegiance. A communication from [Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler] had already acquainted me with the fact that my works were studied and applied in Burgholzli.
In January 1907, the first man attached to the Zurich Clinic, Dr. Eitingon, visited me at Vienna. Other visitors soon followed, thus causing a lively exchange of ideas. Finally, by invitation of C. G. Jung, then still an assistant physician at Burgholzli, the first meeting took place at Salzburg, in the spring of 1908, where the friends of psychoanalysis from Vienna, Zurich, and other places met together.
The result of this first psychoanalytic congress was the founding of a periodical which began to appear in 1909 under the name of ‘Jahrbuch fur Psychoanalytische und Psychopathologische Forschungen,’ published by Bleuler and Freud, and edited by Jung.’
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$150.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
