Franz Kafka, May 1913

KAFKA, Franz (1883-1924). Autograph envelope signed on the verso ("F. Kafka") addressed to Felice Bauer, Prague, [c. 7 May 1913].

In German. 102 x 154 mm, two Austrian stamps affixed and cancelled together with a paper label "Express," on recto with additional cancellations on verso (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, the letter arrived in Berlin on the morning of 9 May 1913, so it is likely that this envelope carried either the letter he wrote on the 7th or 8th of May 1913, two months before he would first propose marriage to her in July. Between the years 1912 and 1917 (and two engagements), Kafka wrote more than 500 letters to Bauer (occassional more than once a day), which Elias Canetti dubbed Kafka's Other Trial for his 1974 volume on the correspondence. Sadly, Bauer's letters to Kafka have been lost.