Books and Manuscripts

Cassel, Germany, July 1, 1839. One sheet, 10 7/16 x 8 3/8 in. (265 x 213 mm). Autograph letter in German, signed by Jacob Grimm to an unknown recipient in Vienna: “It’s now been a month already, my esteemed friend, since you visited us,” and continues that he is in good health, and also “taking the time to eat a lot, both leisurely and lightning fast.” He adds that “you had brought the loveliest summer days under your most congenial watch," and makes a brief comment on his brother Wilhelm--with whom he had begun compiling their monumental dictionary of the German language--and asks that his friend “please give thanks to B_____ for his spring gift.” He also appears to reference the former German publisher Johann Martin Abele, associated with the University of Göttingen, as well as his thoughts on authorship. In the penultimate paragraph, Grimm jokingly states, “Above all, as you are now in the service of women…” (Grimm uses "Frauendienst,” a reference to the history of courtly lyric and narrative genres), and alludes to the early medieval Austrian poet Siefried Helbling--who specialized in satirical, instructional dialogues between himself and his female servant--whose work Grimm begrudged for many years. Grimm closes by asking,“Let me hear from you about what has happened in the course of this last year's journey,” and “With sincere respects, your friend, Jac. Grimm."; addressed on verso in Grimm's hand, partially crossed out, presumably by him; additionally inscribed in another hand to same, "Received copy 8 July 1839." Creasing from contemporary and fragile folds; chipping and creasing along edges; 3 1/2 in. closed tear vertically traversing bottom of sheet.

An exceedingly rare autograph letter by German philologist and folklorist, Jacob Grimm. Written by him two years following his and his brother Wilhelm's exile from the University of Göttingen after refusing to take an oath of loyalty to the King of Hanover. It was during this period that they were working on their sprawling German dictionary, Deutsches Wörterbuch--a work that would consume them for the next decade. The work on their dictionary would outlive them both, and would not be completed until 1961. It is considered the most extensive dictionary of the German language.