Sigmund Freud autograph letter signed, dated 26 June 1910 on Freud's stationery in Vienna, with ''PROF. Dr. FREUD'' printed at upper left. In this letter, Freud writes to an unidentified colleague, recommending that his patient, a 13-year-old stutterer, be treated by Freud's protege Dr. Wilhelm Stekel, who has had success with patients afflicted by a stutter. Freud also writes that he can accept English speakers, ''but at high prices.'' Freud, interestingly, viewed stuttering as a disorder linked to unconscious anal-stage conflicts, famously writing that stutterers have ''projected shitting onto speaking,'' treating words like excrement due to repressed trauma.
Translated from German, letter reads in part, ''It is not I but my student Dr. W. Stekel...who has reported good results in the treatment of stuttering...The treatment method was psychoanalytic, the essence of which can be described in a few sentences, but about which you will find further information in my writings and those of my students.''
He continues, ''Dr. Stekel would certainly be happy to take on the 13-year-old stutterer as a patient, but the patient would have to be proficient in German. He will inform you of his conditions upon request. I do accept English-speaking patients, but at high prices...Freud''.
Letters by Freud from this time period with specific psychoanalytic content are quite rare and desirable. Dr. Wilhelm Stekel was one of Freud's most well-known proteges who wrote in 1908 about successfully treating a Rabbi with a stutter.
Single page measures 8.5'' x 10.75''. Small chips and closed tears to margin and light foxing. Very good condition with bold handwriting.