KOESTLER ARTHUR: (1905-1983) Hungarian-born British author and journalist. A correspondence collection of ten T.Ls.S., A. Koestler, each one page, 8vo, Montpelier Square, London, November 1978 - September 1980, to [Adalbert] Reif. Koestler largely writes concerning his works and essays, in part, 'Your wife has certainly done an excellent transcribing job, and you have done a good job in editing…..The Sperber Trilogy arrived safely a few days ago. Many thanks. Re “Reflections on Hanging”: a much shortened version of this book is to be found in the Danube edition of “The Trail of the Finosaur” (sic), in which this shortened version is included' (10^th November 1978), 'Re “Diebe in der Nacht”. I wrote a postscript to the Danube edition of this novel (Hutchinson, 1965) which I think puts the book into historical perspective. It could be shortened a little and used either as a preface or as a postscript to the new German edition' (14^th November 1978), 'Regarding the title, I quite like “Rebellion in a Vacuum”. Should I have a better idea, I'll let you know' (3^rd February 1979), 'I agree with your suggestion to publish the essay volume in your own Europa Verlag. The details, as you say, can be settled with Anthony Gornall. However, I would suggest to publish the volume in 1981 and to postpone “Ein Mann springt in die Tiefe” for the next year, because the essays are more topical than the novel. As for Der Stern, I hope you will forgive me for not wanting an interview for the time being. My health has not been too good lately and I have had to refuse all sorts of requests from television, radio and the Press' (8^th May 1979), 'I quite like the S. Fischer short story idea…..The story in Harpers is the same which appeared in The Times, but I would like the Harpers typography to be used, as it makes it easier for the reader. But there is one essential condition: I must see the German translations in typescript before they go into galleys, because the stories have that dry English irony which often gets lost in translation' (26^th October 1979), '….I have never heard of the American anthology that you mention….There must be some misunderstanding' (25^th November 1979), '….concerning the collection of essays to be published by Scherz. I agree with your selection, with the following exceptions. (1) “Return Trip to Nirvana” (Kostproben des Irrsinns) appears twice on your list. The second time as “Adventure in Insanity”. I think it should be left out from Part I. (2) By eliminating this duplication you will have gained some space, and I suggest using it by including two more essays from The Heel of Achilles: “Science and Parascience” and “Science and Reality”. (3) There are also two vital footnotes lacking in “Kostproben des Irrsinns”…..' (28^th January 1980), 'How silly of Scherz not to have noticed their blunder, But as you ask my advice, there seems to me no point in rubbing their nose into it, since it is too late to undo the damage' (21^st September 1980). Together with two T.Ls.S. by Koestler's third wife, Cynthia Jefferies, each one page, 8vo, Montpelier Square, London, 18^th January 1979 & 24^th January 1980, also both to Reif, replying on behalf of her husband and making a reference to The Pathology of Memory. Each of the letters have two file holes to the left edges, none affecting the text or signatures. VG, 12

Adelbert Reif (1936-2013) German Journalist & Publisher.