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Barthold “Bart” Fles, author uknown .

Top 10 Facts about Barthold Fles

Barthold “Bart” Fles was born on the 7^th of February, 1902 and died on the 19^th of December 1989. He is known as an author, translator, editor, literary agent and publisher. He defied his father wishes and moved to the United States to open a literary agency.

Most of his initial clientele were German nationals who had opted to move to the United States during the Nazism in German. His clientele however grew over the years and expanded to included clients even from the United States.

He has written several books in his life time. He first wrote the Slavonic Rhapsody: The life of Antonin Dvorak in 1948 and the East Germen which were juvenile books. He has not only written books but has also translated a few from German to English. His fluency in a variety of languages aided him in this.

1.Barthold Fles disobeyed his father`s wishes to take up the family business and opted to study

Barthold`s father, Louis Fles was a successful business man who wishes that one day Barthold would follow in his footsteps. It was however sad for his as his son opted to study and forfeit his father`s wishes in the family business.

Louis Fles was a successful Amsterdam business man and an activist against religion. Form the moment Barthold forfeited his father`s wishes their relationship became a tense.

2.Barthold spoke a variety of languages

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Barthold had shown interest in reading at young age. He even went ahead to disobey his father`s wishes to peruse his interest in literary. Barthold being the first son was expected by his father to offer assistance in the family business, however he did not wish to do so.

He only wanted to read. He quickly learnt Dutch, German, French and English. His fluency in these languages landed him a job at De Lange publishers. He later on in 1923 moved to the United States to start a literary agency.

3.Barthold took up several jobs in the United Sates to fulfill his dream

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Barthold made efforts to fulfill his own dream as a publisher. Due to the verse languages that Barthold had acquainted himself self with, he was fortunate enough to land a job at De Lange publishers. He later left for the United States in 1923.

In New York he took up work as a violinist, painted apartments, sold vacuum cleaners and also worked for several publishers. All this effort was to fulfill his dreams. He later on in 1933 started his own business, a literary agency in Manhattan, New York.

4.Barthold as a literary agent

Just a year later after Barthold Fles had moved to New York, he started his journey as a literary agent. Literary agents are tasked with pitching unpublished work, negotiating book deals and liaising between authors and publishers.

Most of his clientele were German nationals who had opted to move to the United States during the Nazism in German. He held meeting on behalf of them so as they can acquire skill on matters writing and publishing. His Clientele however expanded over the years and later most of his clients were based in the United States.

5.Despitethe fact that Barthold was not blessed with any children, he wrote two juvenile books

As Barthold was based in the United States he met and married, Ruth Grünwald, a dancer at the Metropolitan Opera. She had only recently moved to the United States where they allegedly met.

She actively helped Barthold in his daily activities. However Ruth opted to leave when thing did not seem to work out. They however did any children together. Despite this fact, Berthold wrote two books for kids, Slavonic rhapsody and the East German.

6.Barthold Fles wrote many books

Barthold had gain interest in languages at a very young age and even opted to go against his father`s wishes. He has written several books in his life time. He first wrote the Slavonic Rhapsody: The life of Antonin Dvorak in 1948.

This was just the beginning of his career; he followed it up with other books, 1973 – East Germany, 1993 – Briefwechsel mit Barthold Fles, 1942-1949 (with Heinrich Mann; Editor Madeleine Rietra.

7.Barthold Fles was regarded as a special figure to his clients

Fles was so passionate for his work that he maintained close contact with most of his clients. On the early onset of his career, most of his clientele was from German however his band grew and he acquired clients in the United States. He was a special figure in the lives of many of his clients.

He kept closely in touch with most his clients. His clientele had immensely grown over the years since he actively encouraged his authors to concentrate on their art, and arranged fellowships with literary funds.

8.Other than writing books, Barthold has also translated other authors books

Other than writing books, Barthold has translated several books from German to English. His ability to speak a variety of languages aided him in this task. He was acquainted with Dutch, German, English, and French.

In 1939 he translated the book Ernst Krenek: Music here and now. On the same year he translated a book by Felix Salten titled Bambi`s children. Later in 1943 he translated the book, in search of myself written by Hans Natonek.

 His non-fictional writings and his translations received considerable praise, except for his book on Germany.

9.In 1986, Barthold closed his literary agency 

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In 1986, at the age of 84, Fles closed his agency. His business had been inexistence for about 53 years. He later on moved to his native Netherlands. He spent three years in Laren`s Rosa Spier home for retired artists.

The Laren`s Spier was founded in 1963. The home is where notable artists wish to live their last years while still continuing to contribute artistically. At the home Barthold was approached by Madeleine Rietra, a Dutch expert on German literature.

 Barthold died on the 19^th of December 1989. His death is believed to be caused by the fact that he had been diabetic for several decades. His death was after the closure of the literary agency and his move back to his native.

Barthold went to all lengths to fulfill his life dream in owning a literary agency. He even went against his father`s wishes in taking over the family business. His business thrived in the United States with clientele from both the U.S and German.