Buber Martin


Jewish Philosopher Martin Buber Archive of Six Letters, and One from Hebrew University Founder Judah L. Magnes


Comprises letters in German: (1) Autograph Letter Signed "Buber" on postcard and "Dr. Martin Buber" in the return address portion on verso, 3.5" x 5.5". Zehlendorf, Berlin, Germany, November 11, 1915. Addressed by Buber to Dr. Jakob Kahan, Charlottenburg, Germany. Postmarked Berlin, November 12, 1915. In part, "As my sister has informed me the position is already taken but not in a satisfactory manner. That is why there is a point to go back to this...the Gymnasium [school] has to pay 100..." Stain at top just touching the upper portion of two letters of "Zehlendorf." Fine condition.

(2) ALS "Buber" on postcard, 3.5" x 5.5". Heppenheim, Germany, May 31, 1917. Addressed by Buber to Dr. Abraham Sonne, Vienna. Postage stamp removed. Printed return address, in German: "The Jew/Monthly Review/Publisher: Dr. Martin Buber..." Buber asks Dr. Sonne if he can write something on Bialik for his magazine, "The Jew." Before World War I, Hebrew poet Abraham Sonne (Avraham Ben-Yitshak) had been a lecturer at the Teachers' College in Jerusalem. An economist and poet, he later served as executive secretary of the American Zionist Congress. Russian poet Chaim Nachman Bialik, considered the national poet of Israel even though he died 14 years before independence, was a well-known Hebrew writer whose publishing house was ordered closed just months after this letter was written, after the Russian Revolution. Fine condition.

(3) Typed Letter Signed "Dr. Martin Buber," two pages, 7.5" x 9", front and verso, Heppenheim, July 4, 1918. "Committee for Works of Jewish Culture" letterhead. To an unnamed professor describing his plans to publish a book about Hebrew literature through the 18th century. The exact content of the book has not yet been determined but all material will be carefully scrutinized. Buber says it is important that lay men be able to understand the book. He writes that professors Bloch, Blau, Elbogen, Güdemann, S. Krauss, Perles, and Poznansky have already agreed to contribute and he invites the recipient to submit an article as well; he offers a fee of 10 marks per page. Four words in Buber's hand. He had originally decided on the book's length to be 150 pages then corrected it to about 200 pages. Creased at edges.

(4) TLS "Buber," one page, 7.5" x 9". Heppenheim, July 26, 1918. "Committee for Works of Jewish Culture" letterhead. To unnamed recipient whom he addresses as "Herr Doktor" who has consented to contribute to the book referred to in the July 4, 1918 letter in this archive. Buber thanks him and replies to some questions asked. He assured the recipient that the book will be completely objective and that the contributors will decide the scope of their writings. Buber will send a list of the other writers and asks if he may receive the manuscript by the end of August. Two small tears at blank edges. Fine condition.

(5) TLS "Buber," one page, 7.5" x 8.75". Heppenheim, April 9, 1919. "Committee for Works of Jewish Culture" letterhead. To R.E. Weiss, Jewish Youth, Vienna. Buber is angry at Weiss for sending him material too late for the Passover issue. Because of the approaching holiday, he did not want to be rushed mailing the issue. Buber closes the letter with "Mit Zionsgruss" (with Zion greetings). The first day of Passover was April 15, 1919. Fine condition. With original stamped, postmarked envelope.

(6) TLS "Buber" on postcard, 3.5" x 5.5". Heppenheim, Germany, May 29, 1919. To Karen Kajemeth, The Hague. Stamped and postmarked. Printed return address, in German: "The Jew/Monthly Review/Publisher: Dr. Martin Buber..." Karen Kajemeth LeYisroel (Jewish National Fund) was founded in 1901 at the Fifth Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, to buy and develop land in Palestine for Jewish settlement. Buber has received the May 19th letter and wishes to know if Mr. Feiwel is ready to discuss the 3rd "Erez Israel" ("Land of Israel") booklet. In 1902, Martin Buber, Berthold Feiwel, and Chaim Weizmann had founded the Jewish Publishing Company in Berlin. Two torn file holes at blank left margin. Recipient's rubber stampings and pencil notations. Fine condition. Also included:

(7) Manuscript Statement Signed "Martin Buber" from Leipzig, no date, nothing in Buber's hand, concerning a lecture he read about in "Die Welt," requesting that a lecture about Zionism be given in Leipzig. "Buber" is penned in Hebrew in another hand at top.

(8) JUDAH L. MAGNES. ALS "Judah" in German, two pages, 5" x 8.25", front and verso. Letterhead of The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, June 15, 1935. In German to Martin Buber. Magnes had served as the university's first chancellor since he helped found the institution in 1918. The school's first Board of Governors included Martin Buber, Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, and Chaim Weizmann. In this letter, Dr. Magnes thanks Buber for his lecture and tells him that the next meeting of the board of governors will be held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on September 8th. At that meeting, Magnes was elected by the board as first President of The Hebrew University. He served from 1935 until his death in 1948. Fine condition.



WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.