Sigmund Freud’s work in psychoanalysis was prolific, but that wasn’t interesting enough, since handwriting samples from the founder of psychoanalysis failed to sell in Los Angeles last week. On January 26, Nate D. Sanders Auctions offered two rare relics from the father of psychoanalysis, his signed physician’s oath and a letter on dreams. Both documents offer some insight into Freud’s storied career.
Sigmund Freuds Handwriting
When Freud began working at Vienna General Hospital in 1882, he was required to sign a physician’s oath. In the oath, Freud vowed to fulfill his medical duties “honorably, compliantly and diligently” and “to keep a scrupulously honorable moral conduct,” according to Nate D. Sanders Auctions. The oath, which appeared in a hospital booklet, was signed by Freud in Vienna on April 30, 1883. The starting bid for the oath was $195,000.
Sigmund Freuds Handwriting
The letter on dreams, which Freud wrote on his personal stationary on May 28, 1935, is written in German and was translated by the auction house. It appears to answer questions from the addressee about his 1899 book “The Interpretation of Dreams.” In the letter, Freud discusses the real duration of dreams, which he said was “at present unsettled.” The starting bid for the letter was $95,000.
Sigmund Freuds Handwriting
True fans of Freud, however, can still have their dreams of owning his memorabilia met, as both pieces are available for purchase online through the auction house.
