Waiting to Leave

In order to be allowed to leave the country, formal obstacles need to be overcome like the payment of the Reich Flight Tax. Initially introduced in 1931 in order to avoid capital flight, this tax is now used by the National Socialists as an instrument of expropriation. To take his mind off the wait for the exit visa, Freud works on his first joint publication with Anna: they are translating Marie Bonaparte’s book about her dog Topsy. Fascinated by the lack of ambivalence in dogs, Freud has himself been the owner of chowchows since 1928 and continues to be one until the end of his life. He also spends his time organizing his collections of antiques and books. Out of a total of nearly 4,500 volumes, he discards a third. In April, a new book is added to his collection: in his dedication the French author Pierre Jean Jouve calls Freud a “just man in dark times.”

Freud himself presents a final dedicated copy to his lawyer Alfred Indra: “in gratitude & friendship,” and writes a letter of reference for his private chauffeur Josef Malina.