KAFKA, Franz (1883-1924). Autograph envelope signed on the verso ("Dr. F. Kafka") addressed to Felice Bauer, Prague, [c. 15 May 1913].

In German. 101 x 155mm, two Austrian stamps affixed and cancelled on recto (some losses along opening at top margin, some mild soiling and scuff marks).

An envelope addressed to his on-again-off-again fiancée, Felice Bauer. In bold lettering, Kafka addresses the envelope to "Fraulein Felice Bauer" in Berlin. On the verso he signs his name, adding his return address: "Prag Poric 7" Although the postmark from Prague is obscured it bears a penciled notation "15.5.13", which places the date of the mailing about two months before Kafka would first propose marriage to Bauer in July. Between the years 1912 and 1917 (and two engagements), Kafka wrote more than 500 letters to Bauer (occasionally more than once a day). The letters themselves were acquired by Kafka's publisher, Schocken Books, and published in 1967—a hugely influential body of Kafka's work in their own right. Elias Canetti dubbed them Kafka's Other Trial for his 1974 monograph on the letters.