‎DIETRICH, Marlene - AUDEN,W. H., COWARD, Noël, HEMINGWAY, Ernest, MANN, Heinrich, MANN,Thomas, PAUSTOVSKY, Konstantin, REMARQUE, Erich Maria, RILKE, Rainer Maria, STERNBERG, Josef von.‎
‎EXCEPTIONAL SET OF NINE BOOKS INCRIBED WITH MARLENE DIETRICH'S AUTOGRAPH SIGNED RECOLLECTIONS (two to four pages in length each) of her relationship with their authors : ‎

‎Exceptional set of nine books inscribed with Marlene Dietrich’s autograph signed recollections (two to four pages in length each) of her relationship with their authors, each of whom has played a prominent role in Dietrich’s life, including former lovers, very close friends and writers whose works had made the most thorough impression on the actress. Each volume has been specially selected around the year 1979 by Dietrich among the books owned by a friend of hers. This set reflects in a unique way the passions of one of the most iconic actress of the twentieth century. - It includes: - 1. AUDEN (W. H. ). Collected Shorter Poems 1927-1957. New York, Random House, [1967]. Inscribed in black felt pen by Marlene Dietrich: « A true friend in special, difficult times ; also a favorite writer - although his style is so different from other great poets! Just shows you how varied my taste was, - and is! » - 2. COWARD (Noël). Pomp and Circumstance. Garden City, Doubleday, 1960. Inscribed in black felt pen by Marlene Dietrich: « When he introduced my performance at the “Café de Paris” in London it seemed to me as if a king had stepped down from his throne to help up a fallen commoner: We were friends for many, many years. Not even our travelling to many different countries could devide us! After his coming to rest in Switzerland I almost lived there between my professional escapades. I relied on his advice and I always felt guilty that I could do nothing in return. He insisted though, that my presence, near or far, had become a necessity for him, his mind, his phantasies! Maybe he made this up in order to minimize my guilt. I am grateful that I was not there when he died! My usual courage failed. » - 3. HEMINGWAY (Ernest). For whom the bell tolls. New York, Collectors Reprints, [1968]. Inscribed in black felt pen by Marlene Dietrich: « He wrote about me : “In this life Dietrich makes her own rules - but her own laws of decency and conduct in human behavior and relations are not less strict than the original ten.” This is one of the reasons he chose me to be his friend and intimate ». - 4. MANN (Heinrich). The Blue Angel. The novel by Heinrich Mann. The film by Josef von Sternberg. New York, Frederick Ungar, 1979. The volume includes The Blue Angel, English translation of Heinrich Mann’s Professor Unrat, and the English script of Der blaue Engel, its adaptation made by Josef von Sternberg. The book on which was based the movie to which Marlene Dietrich owned the iconic role which made her famous. Inscribed in black felt pen by Marlene Dietrich: « A sad man - living in the shadow of his famous, highly talented brother. He had a rare stream of contentment when his book “Professor Unrat” was chosen by Mr. von Sternberg for the first sound-film in Germany - as a vehicle for the famous star Emil Jannings. He felt very honoured and grateful to Mr. von Sternberg, and gave him “Plein-Pouvoir” to make all the changes he wanted - character and story changes. I never saw him again after the film called “BLUE ANGEL” was filmed in its final form, but I heard that he was not in the least upset regarding the drastic changes his book suffered in the version that made the film a lasting classic. - 5. MANN (Thomas). The Magic Mountain. Translated from the German by H. T. Lowe-Porter. With an introductory essay by the author. Illustrated with wood engravings by Felix Hoffmann. The Heritage Press, New York. Inscribed in black felt pen by Marlene Dietrich: “To read all the books written by Thomas Mann belonged to the higher education I received. I was fascinated by the “BUDDENBROCKS”, but the “MAGIC” of this book made me dizzy with admiration, or to use his words “light-hearted”! What he said of his hero I felt like “Life’s delicate child”. - 6. PAUSTOVSKY (Konstantin). Story of a Life. Childhood... Translated by Manya Harari and Michael Duncan. London, Harvill Press, 1964. Picture of Dietrich and Paustovsky at Moscow in 1964. Inscribed in black felt pen by Marlene Dietrich: « I am still on my knees at his feet like I was in Moscow when he came onto the stage at the end of my concert. I had read his books and found my own passions brilliantly described as his own! I had written to him long before I went on tour to Russia, but I never dreamt of meeting him - let alone feeling his hands touch mine! » - 7. REMARQUE (Erich Maria). All Quiet on the Western Front. Translated from the German by A.W. Wheen. New York, Grosset & Dunlap [reprint of the 1930 edition]. Picture of Dietrich and Remarque. Inscribed in black felt pen by Marlene Dietrich: « My great friend and “COMRADE IN ARMS”. Remember: his books were burnt at the historical “REICHTAGS-FIRE”. I arranged for his untroubled stay in America and it amused him when he caught me re-reading his books over and over again in the three languages I knew, “All quiet” and “The Road back” in particular. He was so full of complexes that I thought it my duty to eliminate at least some and I was proud when I succeeded. A sentimental gentleman he was. His favorite song: “Que reste-t-il de nos amours”. Also at the end of “All quiet on the Western Front” the Butterfly -. (Apart from the irony). He was a timid man and undemanding — Easy to live with. What a Loss! » - 8. RILKE (Rainer Maria). Translations from the Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke by M.D. Herter Norton. New York, W.W. Norton, [1938]. Inscribed in black felt pen by Marlene Dietrich: « His is my God!! His writings, but especially his POEMS, ALL HIS POETRY helped me through the dark hours of life making my constant enthusiasm chase away all the melancholy my realism evokes daily. - I know all poems by heart and I take special delight in his unequaled choice of words and descriptions of his subjects, but also the “double-ryme” he invented - like a magician creating visual events and observations, rising out of the printed word, into living reality, right in front of your eyes! Sheer Delirium!! » - 9. STERNBERG (Josef von). Fun in a Chinese Laundry. New York, The Macmillan Company, [1965]. First edition of this autobiography, by the director who made Marlene Dietrich famous and made several of her greatest movies. Inscribed by Marlene Dietrich: « I quote the “FEMME FATALE” he made of me in Hollywood: “THE MAN I WANTED TO PLEASE MOST”. THERE I was alone - THERE he was the ultimate Tyrant at the studio. REASON: he knew about all the intricate parts of everything involved in Film-creation. Better than anybody - camera-men, lighting-men, (scriptwriters too) and he did not hide that fact! He had some patience with actors, but they hated him too: superiority is not easy to love. The INFERIORITY-COMPLEX, hidden in every human mind does not allow to love the man who knows all. - I am the exception to the rule! I loved him, I respected him, I bowed to his unusual behavior and I admired and worshipped his knowledge and wisdom. Both were the cause of his troubled existence. I cried a lot though! That’s when he said: “Everybody go to lunch Miss Dietrich is crying.” He did not pity me - then ».‎

Reference : 3758

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