[MANUSCRIPT, POTT, BELGIUM] Brief van Aug. Friedr. Pott, taalgeleerde te Halle, d.d. Halle 1851, 1 p.

Manuscript 1851 | Letter of August Friedrich Pott (1802-1887), d.d. Halle 1851.

Name: Manuscript 1851 | Letter of August Friedrich Pott (1802-1887), d.d. Halle 1851.
SKU: 13033
Availability: InStock

M4663. Pott was a prominent German linguist and is considered one of the founding figures of Indo-Europoean historical linguistics. In 1833, he was appointed professor of general linguistics at the University of Halle, where he continued to teach until his death. Pott’s work laid the foundation for modern etymological studies, with a focus on sound correspondences in Indo-European languages. He was also a co-founder of the Deutsche Morgenländische Gesellschaft (German Oriental Society) in 1845.

The writer begins the letter with “Wertester Freund!” (“Dear friend!”) and says that he hastily added these few lines, as a kind of “Trostpflaster” (literally: plaster on the wound) for an exam that did not go so well. It seems to be about a student or acquaintance (“dieses guten Geistes”) whose exam was not “strahlend” (shining).

He looks in his wallet and says with regret that he cannot spare the item in question (possibly a book or a text) — and that he cannot therefore give it or send it. He also mentions something about dissections (possibly medical context, or figuratively).

Informal translation:

Halle, March 19, 1851
Esteemed Friend!
In all haste, I throw these few lines on paper and send them along as a kind of early certificate for the not entirely half-centner* worth of stuff, to accompany it on its way.
(*Note: “1/2 Centner” = approx. 25 kg – likely used figuratively here.)

I have turned my correspondence inside out and upside down,
but for now, I can’t bring more to the surface.
For various reasons related to this matter,
I would rather not part with something better —
it would not be suitable discretionis gratia (for the sake of discretion).

But as for the main point:
I am so overwhelmed with autographs,
that I even hesitate to have managed to collect even these few.

You say, “bis daß qui dito dat” (until the one who gives says so):
I now give, in my otherwise rather cheerful way,
a note to facilitate further correspondence — cito (quickly);
you must therefore, by your own assumption,
travel with the forwarded material — Isppelt (? perhaps a name or play on words).

My wife,
who unfortunately has been deeply affected
by the death of her only sister,
sends her regards.

In Commerger Kürzlich & Co
Most graciously returned —
A.F. Pott

SKU: 13033

€ 49,05 (€ 45,00 ex. btw)

In stock