Lost Nietzsche Manuscript Returns to Weimar Archive After Decades in Private Hands
The Goethe- und Schiller-Archiv in Weimar has successfully obtained a four-page manuscript by Nietzsche that was thought to be lost. Composed during the summer of 1888 in Sils-Maria, it includes notes for "Götzen-Dämmerung" and "Der Antichrist." This important document, which was previously privately owned, helps to bridge a gap in the transmission of Nietzsche's works. The acquisition was financially supported by the Kulturstiftung der Länder, contributing 65,000 euros. The manuscript was initially gifted to pianist Moriz Rosenthal (1862–1946) around 1890 by Nietzsche's landlord. In 1935, the Nietzsche-Archiv Weimar purchased Rosenthal's collection, but this particular manuscript remained missing until 2023. Christine Regus noted that the acquisition will enhance public and scholarly access to the text.
Key facts
- The Goethe- und Schiller-Archiv Weimar acquired a four-page Friedrich Nietzsche manuscript previously thought lost
- The manuscript contains notes and preparatory work for "Götzen-Dämmerung" and "Der Antichrist"
- Nietzsche wrote it in summer 1888 in Sils-Maria in the Oberengadin, months before his mental collapse
- The Kulturstiftung der Länder is funding the purchase with 65,000 euros
- The manuscript passed around 1890 to pianist Moriz Rosenthal (1862–1946) as a gift from Nietzsche's landlord
- Erich Lübbert (1883–1963) helped finance the 1935 acquisition of the Rosenthal holdings and chose one manuscript for himself
- The manuscript remained with Lübbert's family but was considered missing until 2023, and was reacquired via the antiquarian trade
- Nietzsche's written estate joined UNESCO's Memory of the World register in 2025
Entities
Artists
- Friedrich Nietzsche
- Moriz Rosenthal
- Franz Liszt
- Carl Fuchs
- Richard Specht
- Max Graf
- Erich Lübbert
- Christine Regus
Institutions
- Goethe- und Schiller-Archiv Weimar
- Kulturstiftung der Länder
- Nietzsche-Archiv Weimar
- Klassik Stiftung Weimar
- UNESCO
- Memory of the World
- Beauftragter der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien
- Thüringer Ministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur
- Wüstenrot Stiftung
Locations
- Weimar
- Germany
- Sils-Maria
- Oberengadin
- Switzerland
- Vienna
- Austria
- Thuringia