Freud's Pacifist Declaration Letter Sold for $31,625

A significant autograph letter signed by Sigmund Freud, in which he declares his pacifist ideals while expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of non-violence, has sold for $31,625 at RR Auction. 

The one-page letter, written in German and signed "Freud" is dated December 15, 1931, and addressed to architect and author Roderick Seidenberg, the original mailing envelope also included in the lot. Freud writes: "You have judged correctly on which side my sympathies lie. I am a pacifist and opposed to the use of violence in human affairs. But I fear I should be unable to establish my personal attitude publicly. My rather pessimistic judgment of human nature leads me to doubt whether anything can be accomplished with the masses without force and coercion; in nature, aside from man, everything is based upon struggle and mutual extinction. I am aware of the ethical demands—or rather the disposition—that we humans should arrange matters differently. But how justify this?

"As I do not recognize morality as a divine inspiration but only as an evolutionary tendency, I do not see how I can advocate your stand at this stage of human culture. Wars, it is to be hoped, will probably disappear by themselves in the course of our cultural development toward a fuller mastery over nature. Whoever labors at the advancement of science and technology helps to bring that era nearer. For the present I expect nothing from pleas however well-intentioned and enthusiastic. I beg you therefore to excuse me from contributing to your proposed publication."


Roderick Seidenberg, to whom Freud addressed the letter, was a German-born architect and author who emigrated to New York and contributed to architectural projects including the exterior of the Hotel New Yorker and the Garment Center Tower in NYC. Seidenberg was a conscientious objector during World War I and interned at various camps from 1918 to 1920.


Other highlights of the July auction included:

• Albert Einstein signed letter explaining special relativity ($31,245)
• Declaration of Independence force print ($29,136)
• John Hanson continental army appointment for a Captain in the 7th Massachusetts Regiment ($27,869)
• Benjamin Franklin document signed as President of Pennsylvania, overseeing an early bankruptcy case ($27,453)
• George Washington signed Revolutionary War discharge certificate from 1783 ($26,250)
• Thomas Paine signed letter, likely to President Jefferson ($25,469)
• Robert Gould Shaw signed photograph - rare portrait of the Commander of the All-Black 54th Massachusetts ($16,079)