Kurt Riezler Letters

The Kurt Riezler Letters hold the correspondence of the diplomat Kurt Riezler with his fiancée Kaethe Liebermann as well as a few letters with other individuals, most notably her father, the painter Max Liebermann. Prominent in the correspondence is the discussion of the first months of World War I and the conditions in Moscow in 1918. Later letters consist of conversations with other family members.

The first folder of the collection contains an essay by Guenther Roth with descriptions of the letters in the collection along with some biographical information on Kurt and Kaethe Riezler that place the letters in their historical context.

Letters from Kurt Riezler to his fiancée Kaethe Liebermann include both information on the First World War and the politics surrounding it as well as comment on the developing relationship between the couple. Often Kurt Riezler addressed Kaethe as "my black kitty," a play on her name and her black hair. Since Kurt Riezler worked with the German chancellor, Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg, the letters hold many details of the war, information on his activities and whereabouts, and opinions on its outcome. Most of the letters from 1914 mention politics, military activities or the work of the chancellor, additionally providing Riezler's opinions on the beginning of the war, such as his certainty that Germany would easily prevail over England. On September 2, 1914 he mentions a visit to a battlefield in France where a town was utterly destroyed. In a letter of October 10, 1914 he suggested that the war might even be over by spring. His letters from December 1914 mention the Christmas celebration by the troops, and especially depict the soldiers’ dour mood. These letters also addressed Kaethe's concerns about their future wedding, with Riezler repeatedly assuring her that a church wedding was not necessary to him. Some letters mention Mischel, a black cat Riezler may have given her. Some letters mention their common artistic interests.

By January 1915 the tone of Riezler's letters had edged somewhat more pessimistic than the tone of several months prior. Letters in January mention a New Year's visit by the Kaiser to his troops. Several later letters reference troop movements on the Eastern front, such as the actions of the Austrians in Serbia or Croatia, and future worries about the plans of the Russians. Some letters mention interactions with other political figures or advisors to the German Chancellor, such as August von Trott zu Sulz. Military actions such as the U-boat blockade of England are also mentioned. In April 1915, Kurt Riezler suggests to Kaethe that they marry as soon as possible.

One folder holds letters from Kurt Riezler in Moscow to Kaethe Liebermann. These letters describe the city and its changed circumstances after the Bolshevik Revolution. Riezler commented on the collapse of the city bourgeoisie and observed the rich and the nobility begging on the street, but also attended the opera, ballet, and theatre while there. While in Moscow he often sent packages to Kaethe of goods such as coffee, tea, furs, and soap.

The folder "Later letters and Frankfurt Materials" contains documentation and a few family letters. Documentation consists of a brief biography of him when he became provost at the University of Frankfurt as well as a eulogy for the artist Max Scheler. Two family letters date from the 1940s. A 1942 letter from to Kurt and Kaethe Riezler to Friedel (Frederic) Jeffrey largely concerns Kaethe's mother, who had remained in Berlin. Even though she had a lifelong permit to visit Switzerland and Sweden, she was unable to leave Germany. Another letter from Kurt Riezler in Italy in 1948 to his niece Marianne (Marandl) Jeffrey contains family news and also mentions the introduction of the new German mark in West Germany.

The final folder of this collection holds letters from the artist Max Liebermann, Kaethe's father, to Kurt Rietzler. These letters have been transcribed and primarily relate to art. Topics discussed in these letters include the artworks of the ancient world, discussion of the theories of Wilhelm Ostwald, and the artwork of Franz Krueger and its acquisition.