the purpose of the letters and presents the editorial context surrounding them. It outlines the dedication to the Princess Wilhelmine Auersperg and sets a respectful tone towards the letters that follow, which include contributions from notable figures such as J. J. Ampère and H. C. Andersen. The preface reflects on the challenges of selecting and organizing the letters, acknowledging that many personal correspondences had to be omitted for various reasons. This initial section establishes a framework for understanding Tieck's influence and the connections he maintained throughout his literary career, hinting at the rich narratives and cultural exchanges that will be explored in the letters themselves. (This is an automatically generated summary.)