Although most psychoanalysts are aware of the existence of what is generally known as the “Freud Archives,” the exact nature and function of the organization, properly called “The Sigmund Freud Archives, Inc.,” are not at all well known. The ensuing report is based on information furnished by Dr. K. R. Eissler, Secretary of the Archives. — Editor.
In January, 1951, a small group of psychoanalysts in New York, concerned that material relevant to Freud's life and work would be lost with the passage of time, founded the Sigmund Freud Archives, Inc., chartered as a corporation in the State of New York. The new corporation named Dr. Bertram D. Lewin President, Dr. K. R. Eissler, Secretary, and Dr. Ruth S. Eissler, Treasurer. Its roster of officers and directors included analysts from both Europe and America; Miss Anna Freud and Mr. James Strachey were named Honorary Members.
The Archives set about to collect Freudiana — letters writen by and to Sigmund Freud and his family, original manuscripts, documents and photographs; in addition its members undertook to record interviews with persons who had known and had been in contact with Freud and his family. Thus a former patient of Freud's, the subject of a famous case history, is interviewed periodically, while the opportunity to interview Dora, who died in New York, was lost because the Freud Archives had not yet been established at the time of her death.
The Library of Congress in Washington, D. C. was selected as the most appropriate depository for the Freud documents, and by mutual agreement it became the official custodian of the Archives. It was also agreed that all donated material designated as restricted should be kept confidential for as long a period as prescribed by the individual donor or by the Archives. This was considered necessary because some donors were reluctant to donate documents without the assurance of confidentiality. Many letters, family letters especially, are not read or checked for authenticity but sent directly to the Library of Congress to maintain this trust inviolate. This secrecy has been even more significant in recorded interviews, in that the person interviewed (former patient, friend or colleague of Freud) feels freer to express his opinions or record intimate reminiscences.
By agreement with the Library of Congress the potential sources of Freud memorabilia were increased by including the literary estates of eminent colleagues when these estates were made available. Thus the literary estates of Drs. A. A. Brill, Maxwell Gitelson and David Rapaport were deposited in the Library by the Freud Archives. Dr. Brill's estate was particularly valuable in that it contained the early history of the psychoanalytic movement in the United States. Similarly a large suitcase which had belonged to Dr. Paul Federn, filled with correspondence among analysts in Vienna, was found by Dr. Federn's son, Ernst Federn, and donated to the Library of Congress. The Library will also accept photostatic copies in place of the originals, if this is the donor's preference.
As a non-profit corporation, the Archives devotes all funds it receives to the fulfillment of its purpose. Its overhead expenses are minimal, since its members serve -without pay, and generally defray themselves any expenses incurred in tracking down valuable items. The process of checking leads throughout the world, and interviewing potential sources of Freud items may be very time-consuming, and the Archive members have shown great dedication in giving their time to the task. At the same time they have often displayed considerable resourcefulness in arranging for the acquisition of valuable manuscripts.
From time to time, unexpected sources suddenly become known. For example, twenty nine hospital case histories which were written by Freud in 1893 while working at Meynert's Psychiatric Clinic in Vienna and which had been considered lost or destroyed, were recently purchased from a New York dealer and presented to the Library of Congress by the donor. Another interesting item the Archives was able to acquire was Freud's ‘Accounting Book’ for 1897-99, in which he entered his professional fees.
Dr. Lawrence Kubie recently obtained a Freud letter which he donated to the Freud Archives. In this letter, written to Roller in response to a physiological question he had raised, Freud described in detail the types of experiments Koller should conduct. This is of unique interest because one commonly reads that Freud was neither interested nor skilfull in experimental physiology. Similarly the original manuscript in German of Freud's Trauer und Melancholie was recently purchased and presented to the Library of Congress by a generous donor. The members of the Freud Archives, and especially the Secretary, maintain contact with autograph dealers, examine newspapers and periodicals for data pertaining to the history of psychoanalysis, and are constantly on the look-out for Freud memorabilia.
Having limited and diminishing financial resources, the Sigmund Freud Archives depends entirely on contributions. It now receives financial support from the APsaA and from many of its Affiliate Societies. Beyond this, its ability to acquire costly items generally depends on the generosity of a donor willing to purchase the item and give it to the Archives.