KOESTLER ARTHUR: (1905-1983) Hungarian-born British Author & Journalist. An interesting T.L.S., A. Koestler, one ...

KOESTLER ARTHUR: (1905-1983) Hungarian-born British Author & Journalist. An interesting T.L.S., A. Koestler, one page, 4to, Montpelier Square, London, 26th January 1979, to [Adelbert?] Reif. Koestler informs his correspondent that he is recovering from a bout of influenza but will attempt to deal with various points Reif had raised, writing, in part, 'I agree with your selection for the essay volume. There is of course some overlapping, but that cannot be helped. I think, however, that the chapters from ''The Challenge of Chance'' should be omitted. That book was based on the experiments in telepathy carried out by the co-authors, Sir Alister Hardy and Robert Harvie, and without their chapters my own contributions cannot be understood……''Das Schicksal des Geistes'', published in Der Monat, is the German translation of ''Literature and the Law of Diminishing Returns'', which is already included in your list (in Part III - ''The Heel of Achilles''). But instead of the idiotic title which Der Monat gave it, I would propose ''Aesthetik und Wissenschaft''. As for a new edition of the autobiographical books…..in principle I agree, but I am unsure of the copyright situation. I made the contracts direct with Fritz Molden before I handed over all my German affairs to Anthony Gornall……the only solution seems to me to be that you approach Molden and ask him what the situation is. I would like to mention that I am on excellent personal terms with Fritz and that I am convinced he will willingly co-operate…..' In concluding Koestler asks if he should return a typescript, remarking 'It would seem simpler for me to keep it until the German translations come in…..' Two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature, VG Koestler's correspondent may have been Adelbert Reif (1936-2013) German Journalist & Publisher.