Franz Kafka / Gesammelte Schriften. Herausgegeben von Max Brod. Berlin: Schocken, 1935; Mercy Sohn publishing. Heiner. Prague 1936-1937 seven volumes. First edition. German.
Complete writings by Franz Kafka, edited by Max Brod. Includes Kafka's biography composed by Brod. First four volumes were printed in Berlin in 1935 and the three last volumes were printed in Prague. Max Brod and Franz Kafka were close friends for many years. Kafka, who suffered of tuberculosis and expected his death, instructed his friend to destroy after his death all the manuscripts of his books which have not yet been published.
Brod who was appointed as executor of Kafka's will, took the liberty and published all of Kafka's writings after his death. Amongst the writings were the three novels "The Trial", "The Castle" and "The Man who Disappeared". Brod also published Kafka's diaries and composed his biography. In 1933 publication of creations by Jewish writers was forbidden in Germany. "Schocken" – Jewish Publishing House - was the only one to have a permit to publish Jewish writers, on condition that their books are sold only to Jews. At that time, Max Brod granted to "Schocken" the copyrights, through Dr. Schpitzer, for all of Kafka's writings. The first four volumes, published by "Schocken", were printed in Germany in 1935. Later, Kafka and Brod's names were added by the Nazi regime to the list of excommunicated authors. As a result the publishing house transferred part of its operation to Prague where the last three volumes have been printed. Seven volumes, 19.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Kafka's autograph is embossed on the bindings.