Nieuwsbrief 1096 = Catalogue 88: Franz Kafka in the Low Countries
This newsletter is our Catalogue 88, devoted to Franz Kafka in the Low Countries.
Op 3 juni 1924, honderd jaar geleden, stierf Franz Kafka in een Oostenrijks sanatorium. In datzelfde jaar vertaalde Paul van Ostaijen, die al in 1917 kennis maakte met Kafka’s werk (zie nummer 21 in deze catalogus), vijf van zijn prozafragmenten. In 1928 las Albert Verwey Das Schloss (nummer 15 in deze catalogus) en in 1936 gaf Menno ter Braak Der Prozess als verjaardagscadeau aan zijn vader (nummer 14 in deze catalogus). Niels Bokhove publiceerde de uitvoerige studie Reiziger in scheerapparaten. Kafka in Nederland en Vlaanderen (nr. 31). Veertig jaar later is het tijd voor een catalogus met een soortgelijke ondertitel! Ook besteden we aandacht aan de Nederlandse bibliofiele edities van Kafka’s werken in Nederland. Het zijn er niet veel, maar ze zijn prachtig.
Fokas Holthuis & Paul Snijders
Deze catalogus is in het Engels. Citaten zijn vertaald. Titels die voor niet-Nederlanders wellicht moeilijk te begrijpen zijn, worden toegelicht in de noot van de beschrijvingen. Formaten van boeken worden alleen vermeld als ze niet gemiddeld/ octavo zijn.
1. KAFKA, Franz Auf der Galerie. Groningen, Marlies Louwes, 2007. Original wrappers with dust jacket. (12) p. Set by hand from Bembo and a Fraktur type and printed in in red and black on handmade Zerkall paper in an edition of 30 copies without jacket and a few with DJ. In German.
€ 100
* Thirty copies were printed for Kafka in de Ballroom, a festive collection for Kafka connoisseur Jan Bouman (1947-2010) on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday (see nr. 32 in this catalogue). This is one of a few loosely distributed copies that were issued with a dust jacket.
‘De [= the] Ballroom’ is the name of the spacious bel-étage room that Jan Bouman lived in, and where he operated his printing press – an appartment in a sprawling neo-renaissance Utrecht town house.
2. KAFKA, Franz Aufzeichnungen aus dem Jahre 1911. (With a computer print on transparent paper as a frontispiece). [Geesbrug], Sub Signo Libelli, (2007). Two folded leaves with a loose frontispiece. (10) p. Handset from the Romanée and printed in green and black by Ger Kleis on Barcham Green paper that was created especially for La Compagnie Typographique. Approximately 41 copies were made.
€ 100
* Thirty copies were printed for Kafka in de Ballroom. About eleven copies were distributed outside this liber amicorum. Breugelmans 281.
3. KAFKA, Franz Beim Bau der Chinesischen Mauer. Ungedruckte Erzählungen und Prosa aus dem Nachlaß. Berlin, Gustav Kiepenheuer, 1931. Cloth. 272 p. 1st edition. A little slanted. Six stories were marked with a blue pencil in the table of contents. Spine faded and with a small moisture stain.
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* Scarce first edition from the library of Dutch Kafka translator Nini Brunt (1891-1984), with a handwritten dedication in pencil from an unknown person, possibly to Nini Brunt: ‘Zur Erinnerung an den denkwurdigen Abend mit Dr Ostwald zwischen Papenburg und Ems 1.XI.33’.
TRANSLATOR’S WORKING BOOKS
4. KAFKA, Franz Collection of nine editions, working copies from the collection of Kafka translator Nini Brunt. Berlin/ New York, Schocken Verlag, 1935-1946// Frankfurt, Fischer Verlag, 1965-1974. Nine volumes. Cloth. Not a complete set, well used, but with some early editions.
€ 500
* 1. Erzählungen und kleine Prosa. Berlin, Schocken Verlag, 1935. Cloth. 280 p. 1st edition. Binding a bit spotted. In 1955, a large part of this book would be published in a translation by Nini Brunt by Querido under the title Een hongerkunstenaar en andere verhalen (nr. 10 in this catalogue). A more extensive edition appeared in 1963.
2. Der Prozess. New York, Schocken Books, 1946. Cloth. 288 p. 3rd edition. Initials on the inside upper cover of ‘HvK’ = Huib van Krimpen, who was the son of Nini Brunt and the typographer Jan van Krimpen. Huib van Krimpen also was a typographer, but he just as well translated Kafka and Joseph Roth. Slanted, spine lettering faded.
3. Amerika. New York, Schocken Books, 1946. Cloth. 320 p. 3rd edition. A bit slanted, spine lettering faded. In 1954 the translation of this book by Nini Brunt would be published at the Amsterdamsche Boek & Courantmij.
4. Beschreibung eines Kampfes. Novellen, Skizzen, Aphorismen aus dem Nachlass. New York, Schocken Books, 1946. Cloth. 336 p. 2nd edition. Spine lettering faded, some tiny white spots.
5. Briefe an Milena. (Frankfurt am Main), Fischer Verlag, (1965). Cloth. 288 p. 10th-14th thousand. Slanted. Many dozens of reading marks and underlinings in red ballpoint pen by Nini Brunt. Her translation would be published by Querido in 1967.
6. Hochzeitsvorbereitungen auf dem Lande und andere Prosa aus dem Nachlass. (Frankfurt am Main), Fischer Verlag, (1966). Cloth. 460 p. 7th-9th thousand. Rather slanted, spine worn, many reading marks and underlinings in red and green ballpoint pen by Nini Brunt. On the flyleaf she wrote ‘1 Jan. 1972 to July 1, 1973’, probably the period when she worked on the translation (in her early eighties). It would be published by Querido in 1975.
7. Briefe 1902-1924. (Frankfurt am Main), Fischer Verlag, (1966). Cloth. 532 p. 7th-9th thousand. Rather slanted, spine worn, dozens of reading marks and underlinings in red ballpoint pen and pencil by Nini Brunt. Her translation would be published by Querido in 1968.
8. Briefe an Felice und andere Korrespondenz aus der Verlobungszeit. (Frankfurt am Main), Fischer Verlag, (1967). Cloth. 784 p. 6th-9th thousand. Many hundreds of pencil notes in the register by Nini Brunt. Her translation would be published by Querido in 1974.
9. Briefe an Ottla und die Familie. (Frankfurt am Main), Fischer Verlag, (1974). Cloth. 250 p. In 1980 the translation by Huib van Krimpen (son of Nini Brunt) would be published by Querido.
5. KAFKA, Franz Erzählungen und kleine Prosa. Berlin, Schocken Verlag, 1935. Cloth. 280 p. 1st edition. Spine slightly faded, endpapers a bit foxed.
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* From the library of Albert Verwey (see nr. 15), with his bookplate on the upper cover, designed by H.P. Berlage.
6. KAFKA, Franz De gedaanteverwisseling. [Den Haag, H. van Krimpen], 1944. Gilt vellum-backed boards. 82 p. Partly unopened. Printed in 1010 copies. 1st edition. Some little spots on the spine, binding a bit faded. Gutter a bit unruly because the short grain direction was chosen for the paper.
€ 950
* Translation dating from 1938 of Die Verwandlung by Nini Brunt. This is one of only 10 numbered deluxe copies on Banzay paper, and one of four bound in quarter vellum. The colour drawing by Bertram Weihs mentioned in De Jong’s bibliography of clandestinely printed literature (but not in the book’s colophon) is not present. This is number 4, from the library of printer-publisher Huib van Krimpen, who wrote his initials on the inside of the front cover. By the way, the translator was the mother of the publisher! An illegal publication under the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Series Genius nr. 1. De Jong 439. Bokhove A3.
7. KAFKA, Franz De gedaanteverwisseling. [Den Haag, H. van Krimpen], 1944. Cloth-backed boards. 82 p. Printed in 1010 copies. 1st edition. Some foxing. Text paper as always browned.
€ 15
* Translation dating from 1938 of Die Verwandlung into Dutch by Nini Brunt. She was publisher Huib van Krimpen’s mother. Illegal publication. De Jong 439. Simoni K2. Bokhove A3.
W.F. HERMANS TO TJARK & HENK
8. KAFKA, Franz De gedaanteverwisseling. (Translated into Dutch by Nini Brunt). Amsterdam/ Antwerpen, Wereldbibliotheek, 1950. Unprinted wrappers with handwritten name and title. No dust jacket. 78 p.
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* On the first endpaper: ‘T. van der Schroeff/ 7 december 1959/ van oom Wim’.
Inserted: W.F. HERMANS Handwritten letter to ‘Dear Cousins’. Signed ‘Uncle Wim’ and dated ‘7 Dec ’59’. On his own stationery (‘Groningen/ Spilsluizen 17a’). Recto only. 14 lines. ‘Here is the booklet I promised you; finally found again. Read it with attention and fruit… it is one of the greatest stories I have ever read’. He ends with greetings to all relatives. The sister of W.F. Hermans’s wife Emmy was was married to the general practitioner Henk van der Schroeff. They had four children: two daughters and two sons, twins. Tjark and Henk were born in 1943 and were therefore only sixteen years old when their Uncle Wim sent them this booklet. Hermans had been a great admirer of Kafka’s work since his high school. A touching association!
9. KAFKA, Franz Het hol. (Theater adaptation). [Antwerp, Theater Zuidpool, 1998]. Ring binder. 30 sheets printed on one side only.
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* Added: a letter by publisher Querido to Huib van Krimpen. On printed stationery. Signed ‘Alexandra Boucher’ and dated ’21 januari 1998′. Recto only. 2 lines of text, about granting permission for use of the translation.
‘Het hol’, the Dutch translation of ‘Der Bau’, was published in 1957 in De Chinese muur en andere verhalen, translated by Nini Brunt (1891-1984). Her son and only child Huib van Krimpen was probably the copyright holder of her translations.
10. KAFKA, Franz Een hongerkunstenaar en andere verhalen. Amsterdam, Querido, 1955. Original boards with dust jacket (Theo Kurpershoek). 200 p.
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* “A Hunger Artist and Other Stories”. Translated by Nini Brunt after Erzählungen und kleine Prosa in the copy of the Schocken-Verlag New York 1942 translation that you may find as nr. 4.1 in this catalogue. Bokhove A10.
11. KAFKA, Franz Een hongerkunstenaar. (Vertaald door A. Nonymus [= Johan van Eikeren]). (Amsterdam/ Rotterdam/ Den Haag, Corvey Papier-groothandel), 1956. Original wrappers (16) p.
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* From an extensive series of a paper wholesaler’s advertising model books: Het model voor de uitgever 102. Bokhove A11.
12. KAFKA, Franz Der Jäger Gracchus. (With two original, signed color lithographs by Pavel Roucka) Baarn, Arethusa Pers, 1984. Original wrappers with dust jacket. (12) p. Hand-printed by Vincent Loosjes in an edition of 90 numbered copies.
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* The typography of this book is uniform with that of Vor dem Gesetz, nr. 25 in this catalogue. Arethusa 69.
13. KAFKA, Franz Kafka geïllustreerd door J.M.A. Biesheuvel. Woubrugge, Avalon Pers, 2016. Cloth (Van Waarden bindery). (52) p. Set by hand from Walbaum and printed on Biotop paper in 150 copies, numbered and signed by the illustrator.
€ 130
* 22 stories and fragments by Kafka in the translation by Nini Brunt, with as many drawings by the writer J.M.A. Biesheuvel. With prospectus.
TER BRAAK FAMILY PRESENT
14. KAFKA, Franz Der Prozess. Berlin, Schocken Verlag, 1935. Gesammelte Schriften III (ed. Max Brod). Cloth. 288 p. Slanted, lower spine and outside of lower joint slightly damaged. Bookseller’s mark (M. Dijkhoffz, The Hague).
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* From the library of Menno ter Braak’s father Hendrik ter Braak, who wrote on the first flyleaf: ’11 Juni 1936/ H.E.G. ter Braak/ gesch. [= geschenk – ‘present’] Menno Ant Wim’.
Wim ter Braak, his brother Menno and Menno’s wife Ant ter Braak-Faber together gave this book as a present to their father/ father-in-law on his 62nd birthday. Menno ter Braak was already familiar with Kafka’s work, but only read it properly in 1936 and then he was hooked. On February 23, 1936 he published a very enthusiastic review of the first four volumes of the Gesammelte Schriften, under the title (translated from Dutch) ‘A Jewish writer of the first rank. His style and life problem’. A citation: ‘A book like Der Prozess can be called immediately next to the purest and at the same time the most intelligent that has ever been published in Europe; this is my firm conviction, which I express with all the more certainty because I rarely express it’.
FRIGHTENINGLY CLOUDED
15. KAFKA, Franz Das Schloss. München, Kurt Wolff Verlag, (1926). Cloth. (8), 504 p. 1st edition. Mediocre copy: spine faded, damaged and repaired, title label on front cover worn, lower cover partly faded, foxing. Disheveled.
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* From the library of the Dutch poet, influential critic and professor of Dutch literature Albert Verwey (1865-1937). With his name in pencil on the front endpaper (with addition ‘Noordwijk Zee’) and on the title page.
Inserted: autograph letter (most probably a draft) from Albert Verwey to ‘Beste Hilde [Telschow] & St’, dated ‘Noordwijk a/zee 20 Dec. 28’. Handwriting in ink. One leaf. Recto and verso. 41 lines of text (the last six lines in pencil by his daughter and literary executor Mea Nijland-Verwey, followed by a ‘remark from M. N.-V.’ by the same). Extensive response from Verwey after reading Das Schloss, that he received as a gift from the Telschows: ‘An amazing book that has continuously fascinated me, despite or precisely because of its mixture of reasoning, symbolism and realism. It is less a good book – one can hardly imagine how it should end satisfactorily – than the imprint of an unusual mind’. Verwey discusses the contents in detail and concludes ‘A strangely and frighteningly clouded mind, that of Kafka’. He thanks for an illustration that he pasted at the front of the book, ‘although its angular tower is not actually an illustration of the round aspect of the castle’. This illustration apparently was later removed, as may be seen from traces of adhesive on the inside of the front cover (and the lower cover). Hilde Telschow (1885-1966) was a translator from German and a friend of Albert Verwey. She published poetry in his monthly De Beweging and translated prose by Verwey into German under the title Europäische Aufsätze, which would be published by the Insel Verlag in 1919. A fascinating association copy!
16. KAFKA, Franz Das Stadtwappen. Kleine Fabel. Heimkehr. Der Aufbruch. Eine alltägliche Verwirrung. Er. Der Schlag ans Hoftor. (With 7 original lithographs by Jan Bons). [Amsterdam, privately printed], 1943. 29 x 20 cm. Original wrappers. (40) p. Printed on Barcham Green paper [by J.F. Duwaer] in 30 numbered copies only. Lower cover partly very slightly discoloured, nice copy.
€ 850
* This is nr. 27 of the 30. Published in secret during the German occupation. De Jong 438. Simoni K4. Bokhove A2.
17. KAFKA, Franz Das Stadtwappen. Kleine Fabel. Heimkehr. Der Aufbruch. Eine alltägliche Verwirrung. Er. Der Schlag ans Hoftor. (With 7 original lithographs by Jan Bons). [Amsterdam, privately printed], 1943. 29 x 20 cm. Original wrappers. (40) p. Printed on Barcham Green [by J.F. Duwaer] in 30 numbered copies only. Spine faded, some little stains on the lower cover.
€ 850
* Unnumbered copy, but with a handwritten text by illustrator Jan Bons under the colophon: ‘This is for borrowing your Kafka,/ which I have of course now forgotten/ to take with me./ Jan Bons 1-3-’44/ (How a cow catches a hare).’ Published in secret during the German occupation. De Jong 438. Simoni K4. Bokhove A2.
18. KAFKA, Franz Das Stadtwappen. Kleine Fabel. Heimkehr. Der Aufbruch. Eine alltägliche Verwirrung. Er. Der Schlag ans Hoftor. (Translated into Dutch by Thomas Graftdijk. With illustrations by Jan Bons). (Utrecht/ Amsterdam, Reflex/ Joost Nijsen, 1983). Original wrappers. (56) p. Printed in 1250 copies. Cover partly slightly faded.
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* Facsimile of the edition published in secret during the Nazi occupation in 1943 by Jan Bons in 30 copies (De Jong 438), followed by translations of the seven stories by Thomas Graftdijk. Bilingual edition.
ONE OF TWELVE IN FULL VELLUM
19. KAFKA, Franz Die Verhandlung. (With an original woodcut by Peter Lazarov, an afterword by Niels Bokhove and a loosely attached ‘Notiz’ by Hans van Eijk). Banholt, (Im Bonnefanten), 2011. Gilt full vellum. 32; 4 p. Set by hand from Bembo and printed by Hans van Eijk in 60 copies numbered on the press.
€ 400
* In memoriam book for Kafka connoisseur Jan Erik Bouman (1947-2010). One of 12 deluxe copies on Fabriano Handbütten, beautifully bound in full vellum. ‘Die Verhandlung’ is a title coined by Jan Bouman for Kafka’s prose fragment ‘Ein Bauer fing mich auf der Landstraße ab…’.
20. KAFKA, Franz Die Verhandlung. (With an original woodcut by Peter Lazarov, an afterword by Niels Bokhove and a loosely attached ‘Notiz’ by Hans van Eijk). Banholt, (Im Bonnefanten), 2011. Original wrappers with dust jacket. 32; 4 p. Set by hand from Bembo and printed by Hans van Eijk in 60 copies numbered on the press.
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* One of 48 copies on Magnani Werkdruck.
A GLORIOUS PROVENANCE
21. KAFKA, Franz Die Verwandlung. Leipzig, Kurt Wolff Verlag, (1915). Good private binding: leather-backed marbled boards with a leather front edge, blindstamped spine title, the leather on the boards differing in height. Original upper and lower cover bound in, but without the inward flaps. 80 p. 1st edition. Der Jüngste Tag 22-23, printed in November 1915, with ‘1916’ on the cover. Cover illustration by Ottomar Starke. On pages (75-79) publisher’s advertisement for Kafka’s books Betrachtung and Der Heizer, with press reviews. Some scuffs on the edges of the leather binding and some foxing spots on the upper cover, but a good copy.
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* Peerless association copy! This book comes from the library of the Flemish poet Paul van Ostaijen (1896-1928, a pioneer of the European avant-garde), with his name and the addition ‘1917.’ top left on the unprinted last page of the book. On 17 pages we find several dozens tiny pencil marks and in one case three little crosses in the margin, possibly done by Van Ostaijen. On the back of the original cover at the top left in pencil in an unknown hand ’44 Albertstr./ Ant.’. Albertstraat 44 is the adress where Van Ostaijen lived with his parents and brother after his return from Berlin.
The year 1917 shows that Van Ostaijen came into contact with Kafka’s work early on, when he was just twenty-one, between his first two books Music Hall and Het Sienjaal. The socialist journalist Firmin Mortier (1899-1972), who knew Van Ostaijen from Antwerp and who later visited him in Berlin, ‘remembered that Van Ostaijen pressed Die Verwandlung into his hands in January [1919, in Berlin] with the compelling suggestion to read the gem‘ (Matthijs de Ridder, Paul van Ostaijen. De dichter die de wereld wilde veranderen. Kalmthout/ Amsterdam, 2023, p. 562). Paul van Ostaijen was also the first to translate Kafka’s work into Dutch: in 1924 he translated six short stories that would be published in 1925 in the May-June issue of Vlaamsche Arbeid.
22. KAFKA, Franz Die Verwandlung. (Illustrations and design by W.J. Rozendaal). [Utrecht], (Stichting De Roos), [1948]. 33 x 22 cm. Cloth. 48 p. Typography and binding W.J. Rozendaal. In German. Printed by Thieme on Hollands Büttenpapier in brown and black in 175 numbered copies. Fine copy.
€ 90
* This copy has not been numbered, but it was printed for Mr. Ph.A.J. Mees. Philip Mees (1907-1993) was a scion of the Rotterdam banking family Mees, and represented the seventh generation of the family firm known as MeesPierson. Large format book with beautiful woodcuts and drawings by Rozendaal. From Ten Years of “De Roos” MCMXLV MCMLV: ‘This book was particularly appreciated by lovers of experimental typography’. A regular, numbered copy is also available. Leeflang 7. Bokhove A6.
23. KAFKA, Franz Vier korte verhalen. [Groningen], (Willem Goelema), [ca. 1979]. Original wrappers. (12) p. Set by hand and printed by Willem Goelema on Simili Japon in an edition of only 25 numbered copies.
€ 100
* Four short stories in the translation by Nini Brunt, signed by the printer under the colophon. Only one copy in WorldCat: UB Groningen.
24. KAFKA, Franz Vier Prozajuweeltjes. [Groningen], Bureau Claxon [= Hester Verkruissen], (2007). Original wrappers. (12) p. Set by hand from de Bembo and a typewriter letter and printed in orange, yellow and black in an edition of 45 copies. 1st edition.
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* 30 copies were intended for the liber amicorum for Kafka scholar Jan Erik Bouman on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday. This is one of 15 ‘loose’ copies, that were provided with a printed cover. Imaginative typography.
25. KAFKA, Franz Vor dem Gesetz + Eine kaiserliche Botschaft. (With 2 original, signed color lithographs by Pavel Roucka). Baarn, Arethusa Pers, 1984. Original wrappers with dust jacket. (8) p. Hand-printed by Vincent Loosjes in an edition of 90 numbered copies.
€ 80
* The typography of this book is uniform with that of Der Jäger Gracchus, nr. 12 in this catalogue. Arethusa 49.
26. KAFKA, Franz Zum Nachdenken für Herrenreiter. Tot overwegen voor hereruiters. [Utrecht], Hinderickx & Winderickx, (2007). Gilt half-morocco (Bookbindery Phoenix). (16) p. Original wrappers. (16) p. Translated and with an afterword by Paul van Ostaijen. With four linocuts by Lidwien Dister. Bilingual edition handset and printed by René Hesselink and Carolien ten Oever in an edition of 80 copies. Upper cover faintly faded at top edge.
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* One of ten deluxe copies bound by Binderij Phoenix in half morocco. Bilingual edition. Thirty copies were printed for Kafka in de ballroom, a festive collection for Jan Bouman on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, fifty copies were provided with a cover and distributed separately. Van Ostaijen’s translations, first published in the magazine Vlaamsche Arbeid of May-June 1925, are the first translations of Kafka in the Dutch language area.
Added: a misprint of the sewn version of this edition, in which the first quire was sewn twice while the second quire is missing.
With a prospect.
27. KAFKA, Franz Zum Nachdenken für Herrenreiter. Tot overwegen voor hereruiters. [Utrecht], Hinderickx & Winderickx, (2007). Original wrappers. (16) p. Translated and with an afterword by Paul van Ostaijen. With four linocuts by Lidwien Dister. Bilingual edition, set by hand and printed by René Hesselink and Carolien ten Oever in an edition of 80 copies.
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* Thirty copies were printed for Kafka in de ballroom, a festive collection for Jan Bouman on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, fifty copies were provided with a cover and distributed separately. Van Ostaijen’s translations, published in Vlaamsche Arbeid of May-June 1925, are the first translations of Kafka in the Dutch language area.
28. KAFKA, Franz Zurück Brüder. Utrecht, Hugin & Munin, (1996). Original wrappers. (8) p. Set by hand from Romulus and printed in blue and black in an edition of 27 press-numbered copies.
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* Fine bibliophile edition. Hugin & Munin 3.
29. KAFKA, Franz Zurück Brüder. Utrecht, Hugin & Munin, (1996). Original wrappers. (8) p. Set by hand from Romulus and printed in blue and black in an edition of 27 press-numbered copies.
1 x 2 cm missing from lower cover.
€ 100
* ‘Fehldruck’. Instead of the line ‘Von 27 Abzügen ist dies Nummer [‘x]’ which appears below the colophon in the regular copies, this copy has ‘Fehldruck!’ (= German for misprint) in blue at that location. The only difference with regular copies is the cover: the regular copies have the title in capitals on the cover, on the cover of this copy there is just a bold, capital ‘K’. According to an enclosed handwritten note from the printer, there are three copies of this ‘Fehldruck’. Hugin & Munin 3.
ABOUT FRANZ KAFKA
30. ABRAHAMS, Frits Dagen met Kafka. [Utrecht], Stichting De Roos, 2008. Cloth with dust jacket. 64 p. Typographical design by Peter Bilak. Printed in 175 numbered copies. 1st edition. With a loose map of Prague, drawn by designer Peter Bilak. Little spots on the bright white cover.
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* “Days with Kafka”. A collection of 26 short pieces by Dutch newspaper columnist Abrahams, who travelled eastward to follow the footsteps of Franz Kafka. Each copy of this title was hand-addressed by Bilak on the cover with the residence of the purchaser of this book. (‘Utrecht’). De Roos 170.
31. BOKHOVE, Niels Reiziger in scheerapparaten. Kafka in Nederland en Vlaanderen. Amsterdam, Querido, 1984. Original wrappers (design by Branka Perosevic and J. Tapperwijn). 412 p. 1st edition. Well used copy, its spine tired, with name on first page and some marginal marks.
Free with an order
* A florilegium of introductions, articles, biographical and philosophical approaches. Extensive study with an excellent bibliography.
A BEAUTY IN THE BALLROOM
32. (BOUMAN, Jan Erik) Kafka in de Ballroom. Feestbundel ter gelegenheid van zijn zestigste verjaardag 27 februari 2007. [Drukwerk in de Marge, 2007]. Gilt half-vellum (vellum-backed boards with vellum edges, sides with night blue Japanese paper), in a gilt slipcase (Phoenix Bindery). (128) p. With a frontispiece by Petar Matanski. Set by hand and printed by eleven different printers in only 30 copies with rather varied types on different brands and tints of handmade paper. Illustrated, uncut, with several colours.
€ 950
* “Kafka in the Ballroom. Festive collection on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday, February 27, 2007”. Brilliant present book to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of Kafka connoisseur Jan Bouman (1947-2010), made by 11 members of the Dutch bibliophile printers’ association Drukwerk in de Marge (= Printing in the margin).
A jubilee liber amicorum, a soul-stirring book, a wonder of varied design, as well as significant in subject matters. It encompasses contributions printed on various handmade papers by In de Bonnefant / Hans van Eijk (with a woodcut by Rigby Graham), René Hesselink (five prose poems by Kafka with translations by Paul van Ostaijen; four linocuts by Lidwien Dister), Roosje Keijser, Jan Keijser (Elias Canetti and Johann Peter Hebel), Sub Signo Libelli / Ger Kleis (printed on Barcham Green paper that was specially produced for the publisher La Compagnie Typographique in 1927), Marlies Louwes, Ser Prop, De Uitvreter / Kees Thomassen (Marsman about Kafka), De Statenhofpers / Jaap Schipper (Kafka-linked lyrics by Bob Dylan), Bureau Claxon / Hester Verkruissen and De Breukenpers / Pim Witteveen. All printers at their most serene. The translations (except Van Ostaijen’s) are by Nini Brunt. Collected projects DIDM (Drukwerk in de Marge) 26.
‘De [= the] Ballroom’ is the name of the spacious bel-étage room that Jan Bouman lived in, and where he operated his printing press – an appartment in a sprawling neo-renaissance Utrecht town house.
33. BROD, Max Gesammelte Werke in Einzelausgaben. (Prospect of Fischer Verlag). About 1950. Folder. Twice folded, last page browned.
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* The front shows a beautiful portrait of Kafka, at the end is a full-page text by Max Brod. On page (2) some impressive promotional texts (‘Dem Dichter zu ehren’) by André Gide, Hermann Hesse, Thomas Mann and Franz Werfel. On page (3) an overview of works to be published in 1951 and 1952.
34. CASPEL, P.P.J. van De strijd in de stilte. Franz Kafka II. Page 50-54 in: Perspectieven van wordende cultuur, Vol. 5, nr. 3 (March 1938). Original wrappers. (24) p.
€ 25
* “The struggle in the silence”. Article in an idealistic monthly.
35. GILS, Gust, en Roland TOPOR Kafka in de onderwereld. (With five original, numbered and signed linocuts by Roland Topor). Antwerp, Ziggurat, 1978. 39.5 x 29 cm. Six loose-leaf sections in cloth folder and cloth slipcase (as issued). Set from the Clarendon and printed on Velin pur fil Johannot in an edition of 120 numbered or lettered copies all signed by the author and artist. 1st edition.
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* “Kafka in the Underworld”. One of the first fifty copies with five loose, numbered and signed linocuts by Topor.
36. GILS, Gust, en Roland TOPOR Kafka in de onderwereld. (With an original, numbered and signed linocut by Roland Topor). Antwerp, Ziggurat, 1978. 39 x 28.5 cm. Six loose-leaf sections in wrappers with a cardboard slipcase (as issued). Set from the Clarendon and printed on Velin pur fil Johannot in an edition of 120 numbered or lettered copies all signed by the author and artist. 1st edition. Slipcase partly torn.
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* One of the copies from number 51-100 with a loose linocut by Topor (you could frame it): a face and profile whose hairstyle is also a rat.
37. MARSMAN, H. Franz Kafka. Voornamelijk ‘Der Prozess’. Page 168-172 in: Verzameld werk. Critisch proza. Amsterdam/ Bilthoven, Querido/ De Gemeenschap, 1938. Wrappers. 288 p. 1st edition. Rather slanted and well used. Foxed.
€ 20
* From the library of Marsman’s intimate friend Roel Houwink, with Houwink’s signature and the year ‘1938’ on the title page. Cf. Bokhove C17.
38. MARSMAN, H. Franz Kafka. Voornamelijk ‘Der Prozess’. Woold – ’t Harkel, De Uitvreter, (2007). (8) p. Handset from Lutetia and printed in an edition of 59 copies.
€ 35
* ‘Mainly “Der Prozess”’. 30 copies were intended for the liber amicorum for Kafka scholar Jan Erik Bouman on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday. This is one of 29 ‘loose’ copies, that were provided with a printed cover.
39. NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS Collection of 86 Dutch newspaper clippings about Franz Kafka.
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* An interesting and important collection of neat clippings, brought together from 1926 to the 1980s by Dutch author J. Slauerhoff’s copy editor K. Lekkerkerker (1910-2006). This concerns reviews and considerations, but also letters, advertisements and news items. One clipping dates from 1926 (review of Das Schloss by Georg Hermann in the newspaper Algemeen Handelsblad), five from the 1930s, seven from the 1940s, 40 from the 1950s, 21 from the 1960s, seven from the 1970s and five from the 1980s.
Attached: Prospectus for Het proces from 1948 (folder); an original, but incomplete proof of J.H. Schouten’s article ‘Kafka’s letter to his father’ from the literary magazine De Gids of November 1954 (‘2nd proof’, p. 365-372, the first three pages are missing) and four large articles in German, English and French from the 1950s and 1960s.
40. OLLESCHAU Paper Factory Olleschau. Das Beste von Allen! (Portrait of Franz Kafka). Bookmark, 13.8 x 5.8 mm. Printed on both sides.
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* 1930s. Olleschau (now Olšany in Czechia) is a quiet little town with a large cigarette paper factory, for which this is an advertising bookmarker, one of an extensive series of famous persons.
41. POST, Waldemar Original lithograph in colours. Numbered and signed in pencil at the bottom left: ’10/75 Post ’87’. Matted and framed. Visible image size 47 x 35 cm, frame size 68.5 x 55.5 cm.
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* Post also made a watercolor of Kafka in 1987, which has much in common with the lithograph offered here. He wrote about that watercolor on his website: ‘I had seen an exhibition by Egon Schiele in London. I knew his work from reproductions, but such a direct impression really made an impact on me. In that mood I made this portrait. Kafka is a favorite subject among many of my colleagues.’
42. ROST, Nico Franz Kafka 1883-1923. (&:) Franz Kafka’s nagelaten werk. Page 336-337 and 388-390 in De Witte Mier, Vol. 1 (second series), Nr. 7 and 8 (September and October, 1924). Two issues. Original wrappers. With advertisements for the publications of A.A.M. Stols on thinner coloured paper. (20, 56); (16, 56) p. Uncut.
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* Two of the earliest Dutch articles about Kafka, in an attractive literary monthly for seasoned bibliophile readers. Cover and typography by J. van Krimpen. Bokhove C4 and C5.
43. ROST, Nico Duitsche letteren. Franz Kafka. Page 110-112 in: Den Gulden Winckel. Vol. 25, nr. 5 (May 20, 1926). Original wrappers. (24) p.
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* Early article about Kafka. Bokhove C8.
44. SÖTEMANN, Guus Over het lezen van Kafka. Een inleiding. Amsterdam, De Arbeiderspers, 1957. Original wrappers. 32 p. 1st edition.
€ 15
* Introduction to reading Kafka. Series De Boekvink. Bokhove C126.
45. STEINMETZ, Dr. H.A. aber bij Kafka. Leiden, Universitaire Pers Leiden, 1971. Original wrappers. 24 p. Translated from German into Dutch by J.W. Onderdelinden. With reading marks in pencil.
€ 15
* Inaugural lecture by Horst Steinmetz upon acceptance of the position of full professor of German literature. It is about words like the ubiquitous ‘aber’ (= but) in Kafka’s work.
46. UYTTERSPROT, H. Beschouwingen over Franz Kafka [III]. Legende en werkelijkheid over Rimbaud en Kafka. Brussels, De Vlaamse Gids, 1954. Original wrappers. 24 p. Traces of age.
€ 20
* ‘Reflections on Franz Kafka [III]. Legend and reality about Rimbaud and Kafka’. Offprint from De Vlaamse Gids, September-October, 1953. Bokhove C87 (b).
47. VANRIET, Jan, & Fernand AUWERA Mooie, gekwetste ziel. Antwerp, Manteau, (1984). 32 x 27 cm. Original wrappers. (64) p. With colour illustrations based on portraits by Vanriet. 1st edition. Corner cut from halftitle (outside the printed text). Sticker from a bookstore on the lower cover.
€ 20
* ‘Beautiful, hurt soul’. With handwritten, signed dedication from the artist on the title page for ‘Bart’. Fourteen fine watercolour portraits of various people, such as Fausto Coppi, Paul Klee, Franz Kafka, James Dean, Hugues C. Pernath, Jayne Mansfield and Jean-Paul Sartre, with texts by Fernand Auwera.
TWO SIGNED VOLUMES
48. VESTDIJK, S. Muiterij tegen het etmaal. I: Proza. II: Poëzie en essay. Den Haag, A.A.M. Stols, 1947. Two volumes. Cloth with dust jacket. 200; 280 p. 2nd edition. DJs on spines a bit browned, otherwise excellent.
Sold
* ‘Mutiny against the clock’. Newspaper articles about literature. Both volumes were signed by Vestdijk on the halftitle. In part II the subtle analysis ‘Het genie en zijn profeet’, about Max Brod’s biography of Kafka. Van Dijk 549a and 588a. Bokhove C34.
5, 15, 7, 19, 26, 32, 6 and 48 from L to R
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