Fine Books & Manuscripts, including Americana

HESSE, Hermann (1877–1962). Typed letter signed (“H. Hesse”) to Max Rissi, Zurich, 1942. 2 pp., 12mo (184 x 146 mm), creased, with original addressed envelope, laid into a 1930 edition of Hesse’s verses. Full translation: “You made me happy with your kind letter to me, but unfortunately you tried in vain. I am constantly ill and have had to give up every public or semi-public appearance for almost ten years. Without wanting to give more than a suggestion, I will give you the name of Dr. Kuno Fielder, currently deputy pastor in St. Antonien in Graubunden. He is a German immigrant, or rather escaped from a Gestapo prison, has [published] two philosophical books and a small theological book. A man of temperament who has suffered greatly and, as far as today’s world theater is concerned, is more alert than most of his colleagues. He owes his accommodation in St. A. to L. Ragaz. I am mentioning this man to you because he could reasonably be considered for you. However, I ask you to treat all my statements about him with complete discretion, and yes, if you contact him, do not proclaim him a Gestapo martyr etc. - nowadays one can easily endanger a person with such inconspicuous actions, even kill them. So don’t tell anyone what I told you about Fielder. I greet you, H. Hesse”. Fielder was a deacon in Oberplanitz when he published is work “Lutheranism or Christianity” in 1920, in which he accused Jesus of being open to homosexuality. He was arrested in 1936 by Gestapo officials and accused of operating a spy ring on a homosexual basis. After two weeks in prison, he managed to escape and fled to Switzerland where he stayed with the author Thomas Mann.