FREUD SIGMUND: (1856-1939) Austrian neurologist, the founder of psychoanalysis. A.L.S., Freud, two p

FREUD SIGMUND: (1856-1939) Austrian neurologist, the founder of psychoanalysis. A.L.S., Freud, two p

In the month before his 75^th birthday, Freud declares –

 

‘I am dismayed by your intention to throw a big party for my birthday’

 

 

FREUD SIGMUND: (1856-1939) Austrian neurologist, the founder of psychoanalysis. A.L.S., Freud, two pages, 8vo, Vienna, 19^th April 1931, to Dr. Paul Federn, in German. Freud writes, in part, 'Storfer told me that it was due to your determination that he withdrew his notice…..I am dismayed by your intention to throw a big party for my birthday - even if it were to be only 75 instead of 100 people - and am begging you to give up this plan…..I must inform you that our monthly meeting at my house has to be cancelled this time since Pichler will be undertaking one of the….prophylactically necessary operations on the old scar on my jaw once more, and these operations usually exclude me from any social contact for several weeks. I probably won't be of much use on the 6^th May either…..'. A letter of significant content and with good association. A few small tears and slight creases to the upper and lower edges, only very slightly affecting a few words of text, otherwise VG

 

Paul Federn (1871-1950) Austrian-American psychologist, largely remembered for his theories involving ego psychology and therapeutic treatment of psychosis. Federn was an important early follower of Freud and in 1924 became an official representative of Freud as well as vice president of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society.

 

Adolf Josef Storfer (1888-1944) Austrian lawyer, journalist and publisher who belonged to Freud's circle of friends in Vienna.

 

Hans Pichler (1887-1949) Austrian oral surgeon and professor at the University of Vienna who treated Freud from 1923-38, operating on him for the last time in London in 1938.

 

Freud had been diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1919 and Pichler removed part of Freud's jaw and palate in 1923. The psychoanalyst would undergo over thirty additional operations and the missing bone required a large prosthesis which Freud called 'the monster'.

 

Freud would have celebrated his 75^th birthday on 6^th May 1931.