Ernest Jones TLS Re: 15th Congress of International Psychoanalytical Association, Last Congress Before WWII & Freud's Death

A 1p typed letter signed by influential Welsh psychoanalyst Ernest Jones (1879-1958) as "Ernest Jones" near center right. March 2, 1938. [London, England]. On watermarked stationery with "International Psycho-Analytical Association" trilingual letterhead. Expected wear including scattered transmittal folds, minor closed tears or chipped edges, else near fine. 8.75" x 11.125."

Ernest Jones, the most well-known English-speaking psychoanalyst of the early twentieth century, and then President of the International Psychoanalytical Association, wrote this disapproving letter to fellow psychoanalyst Emil Oberholzer (1883-1958), a German-born practitioner who had trained and practiced in Switzerland. Oberholzer collaborated with Hermann Rorschach of inkblot fame, and served as the first President of the Swiss Society for Psychoanalysis from 1919-1928.

Jones wrote in part:

"I have not received any reply whatever to my letters of January 5th and February 10th. Time is passing and we had hoped that the problem would be satisfactorily solved before the meeting of the Congress in Paris on August 1st. It would be very painful for me to have to report there that no progress could be made owing to your reluctance to attend to the business…"

Ernest Jones was a close friend and associate of Sigmund Freud, eventually becoming Freud's official biographer. As an early Freudian protegee, Jones pioneered English-speaking psychoanalysis and served as President of the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA) during the 1920s and 1930s. Freud had founded this professional organization of psychoanalysts in Nuremberg in 1910 in order to unite practitioners around the world through workshops, lectures, study, and collaboration.

The 15th Congress of the International Psychoanalysis Association was the last convention held before the outbreak of World War II; indeed, the 16th Congress would not take place until 11 years later in 1949. The 15th Congress was also the last convention before Freud's death in late September 1939. The 15th Congress proved to be a cathartic event in the history of the IPA because it marked dramatic shifts in direction and power. The Viennese Psychoanalytic Society, an IPA member organization, dissolved itself in the aftermath of the March 1938 Anschluss, and its members joined dozens of European psychoanalysts fleeing to exile abroad. American psychoanalysts of the IPA were also clamoring for more independence. The American Psychoanalytic Association signaled their desire to impose their own training and eligibility requirements among American practitioners, foreshadowing a transition of power from European psychoanalysts to American ones.

The 15th Congress of the IPA took place in Paris from August 1-5, 1938. Ernest Jones presided over a group of international psychoanalysts including Anna Freud, Max Eitington, Marie Bonaparte, Vilma Kovacs, Alice Balint, Paul Federn, Melanie Klein, and others. At the Congress, about 30 papers were delivered discussing such topics as jealousy, ego, manic-depressive disorder, homosexuality, masochism, guilt, and fetishism. Anna Freud delivered a short paper on behalf of her father, who had fled to London in June 1938.

Emil Oberholzer's lack of communicativeness was probably related to Oberholzer's imminent departure for the United States. Oberholzer, his Russian Jewish wife Mira Ginzburg, and their son would emigrate to New York City on March 25, 1938. Oberholzer lived there the remainder of his life.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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