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Sigmund Freud's prolific correspondence over the course of his whole life is well known. He appeared to have obtained a great satisfaction in writing to others and hearing from them as a means of sharing his feelings, thoughts, and ideas. So it should come as no surprise to learn that he communicated with others, especially his relatives, while he was a child. This letter (see Figures 1A and 1B), written on two sides of a letter sheet, seems to be one of the earliest samples of Freud's writing discovered so far.1
Rendered into printed Roman characters from the cursive form, the letter reads.2
Lieber Bruder
Ich habe das Schreiben deines lieben sohnes mit Freude erhalten, Ich bedaure sehr davon nichts verstanden zu haben. Nun versuche Ich einige Zeilen an Dich zu richten. Ich die lieben eltern und Geschwister befinden sich Gott sei Dank wohl. Ich grüsse Dich und Deine werthe Familie, wie auch den Bruder Philipp.
Dein dich liebender Bruder
Sigismund Freud
Meinem lieben Freund [sic]
Johann und Pauli meine herzlich [sic] Grüsse und küsse.