April 2025 Auction Ends Thursday, April 24th, 5pm Pacific
Interesting Sigmund Freud autograph letter signed, penned on 9 December 1921 regarding a possible patient named Dr. Blum (likey Swiss psychoanalyst and psychiatrist Dr. Ernst Blum), who can't afford Freud's hourly fee. Writing to his colleague Emil Oberholzer, Freud suggests referring Blum to fellow psychoanalyst Otto Rank for ''half my fee'', but that he himself ''cannot reduce my honorarium for I must use the short time in which I am still able to work to lift myself out of the war-time poverty, and American and English physicians come to me in such great numbers that any reduction of the honorarium for one case would mean a straight sacrifice to me. Unfortunately, I cannot behave altruistically now, especially since I am seriously thinking of reducing the numbers of my working hours in accordance with my age...Freud''.
Despite Freud's initial refusal, Freud did analyze Dr. Blum the following year; Blum woud go onto teach at the University of Bern and operate his own practice. Two page letter in German is composed on Freud's personal stationery measuring 8.875'' x 11.375''. Fold and light toning, overall near fine condition. Accompanied by full translation and a letter from the Sigmund Freud Archives thanking the previous owner for providing a translation. A compelling letter regarding Freud's fees and personal finances.
Sigmund Freud Autograph Letter Signed -- ''.... I cannot reduce my honorarium for I must...lift myself out of the war-time poverty...I cannot behave altruistically now...''
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