Unique collection of Franz Kafka's manuscripts sold in Paris

For decades, the French surgeon Thierry Bouchet collected Franz Kafka’s books. Some pieces from his collection are now being sold in Paris at Le Carreau du Temple for over two million Czech crowns.

Stored at the beautiful 19th-century Le Carreau du Temple in Paris, the Kafka collection consists of manuscripts, letters, and translations, including more than 400 pieces. It also contains a letter from Max Brod, who went against his friend’s wishes by not destroying Kafka's works but instead collecting and publishing them.

Christophe Champion|Photo: Martin Balucha, Czech Radio

An integral part of the collection is Kafka's Hebrew textbook, which he used during his studies from 1917 until his death in 1924 while considering relocating from Prague to Palestine. This textbook sold for 90,000 euros, or two million crowns.

Christophe Champion, founder of Faustroll, the bookstore responsible for selling Kafka's works, explained the uniqueness of the collection:

“It is one of the jewels of the entire collection. Kafka was learning Hebrew at the time because he wanted to go to Palestine.”

Photo: Jean de Calan

The collection was assembled by Thierry Bouchet, now 71, a surgeon who took a liking to Kafka during his medical studies.

Thierry Bouchet|Photo: Martin Balucha, Czech Radio

“For me, reading Kafka was, to some extent, an escape from everyday reality. I was also interested in Kafka’s diaries and thoughts. I was especially impressed by his short stories like The Country Doctor and, of course, his well-known works such as The Metamorphosis, The Ortel, and the novels The Trial and The Castle.”

In the 1970s, while visiting Prague with his rugby team, the French surgeon and Kafka enthusiast, Bouchet, made a trip to the writer’s final resting place. Recalling the moment, Bouchet said:

"First I tried to find out where he was buried. Then I came to the cemetery and found it closed. I climbed over the wall and went to Franz Kafka's grave. I couldn't waste such an opportunity."

Photo: Jean de Calan

The French doctor has never returned to Prague since. He put the collection up for sale because he said he had already acquired the major works he wanted. It was the end of a phase of his life, and his wife had an important say in the decision, Bouchet concludes:

"She told me I had too many books. We were moving and I had to downsize my library a bit. The Kafka collection narrowed down to about 400 writings and books."

The 427 items in his collection are priced between 20 and 90,000 euros. The most expensive pieces are volumes bearing the author's handwritten inscriptions. Although he is considered a literary legend of the 20th century, he sold very few books while alive, making his signature particularly rare.

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