MANN, Thomas (1875–1955).

Regarding a lecture tour. To State Councillor Bernhard Witte (1878–1945), future President of the German Reich Railways. He thanks him wholeheartedly for his kind offer to put him up on the 9th and 10th, confirming the friendly invitation made at the start of their correspondence concerning the trip, which is now taking shape… Organising such a trip (he will visit eleven cities) is a complex matter, and he had forgotten this initial, informal agreement. The fact that he cannot take advantage of this hospitality in no way diminishes his gratitude: ‘Das Arrangement einer solchen Reise (ich besuche 11 Städte) ist ein kompliziertes Ding, und ich war an jene frühe und unpersönliche Vereinbarung nicht mehr erinnert worden. The fact that I cannot make use of your hospitable accommodation certainly does not diminish my gratitude”… 75474

[This tour of lectures and readings took Thomas Mann from 2 to 20 November 1920 to the occupied Rhineland and the Ruhr region, where he read excerpts from The Magic Mountain and short stories; in Elberfeld, he was a guest of Ernst Bertram’s mother, whose invitation he had accepted, despite the one previously extended by Bernhard Witte.] Press cuttings are enclosed.