THEODOR REIK - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/14/1960 - HFSID 43950

THEODOR REIK
Reik handwrote, dated and signed this letter on his personalized letterhead in 1960, in which he responds to comments on his books about love and sex. With original mailing envelope.
Autograph letter signed "Theodor Reik". 2 pages, 8¼x11, 1 sheet front and verso, on Reik's personalized letterhead. Sept. 14, 1960. In full: "Dear Mr. Wittmer: Many cordial thanks for your kind letter forwarded by Farrar Straus. It gives me great satisfaction to learn that you liked Mystery on the Mountain. (Did you know that this book is part of a trilogy who first book is Myth and Guilt, the third Creation of Woman, both published by George Brazizzer, New York and Book Find Club?) Your remarks concerning love are acute, but perhaps there are seman-tic differences. They are also there with regard to masochism as a perversion and attitude. The part on the emotional differences of Men and Women will have a con-tinuation since Farrar, Straus will Sex in Man and Woman in 5 weeks. It will contain observations on the emotional differences and va=riations of the sexes - so to speak psychoanalytic 'petit riens', but, I hope conclusive one. I always hoped I would have still time to write a book on Jesus but who know?, 'The Ways of the Lord are dark, but rare-ly pleasant', Freud used to say, and it is possible and even likely that I will not live long enough to realize that day dream. Many thanks again and good wishes Cordially,". Lightly toned, soiled, creased and rippled. Handwriting, but not signature is lightly smeared and spotted in places, but legible. Show-through on both sides of letter, which touch signature and handwriting. Otherwise in fine condition. Accompanied by: Unsigned envelope from Reik's personalized stationery. Postmarked New York City, Sept. 14, 1960. Addressed in Reik's hand to Dr. Felix Wittmer, Huntington, New York. With one 4¢ purple-and-white Lincoln stamp affixed.Lightlytoned, soiled and rippled. Address is lightly smeared in places, but legible. Envelope is still sealed. Otherwise in fine condition. American psychologist REIK (1888-1969, born in Vienna, Austria) was one of Sigmund Freud's earliest and most brilliant students (their association lasted from 1910-1938, when Reik came to the U.S.). In 1948, Dr. Reik, who is noted for his research in such areas as masochism and criminology, founded the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis. His works include The Secret Self (1952), Of Love and Lust (1957), Voices from the Inaudible (1964), Curiosities of the Self (1965) and The Many Faces of Sex (1956).