Version: 1.9.5 (using KDE 3.5.5, Kubuntu (edgy) 4:3.5.5-0ubuntu2) Compiler: Target: x86_64-linux-gnu OS: Linux (x86_64) release 2.6.18-rc7 If the "From" field of an e-mail contains a bracket, kmail shows it escaped. E.G "name \\(xyz)". When you click on that e-mail the text is displayed correctly. As soon as you select another e-mail, and go back to the mail with the bracket, the behaviour just turns around, so the escape "\\" is displayed when that mail is selected. To reproduce receive an e-mail with a bracket in the sender's address. See how the string is displayed escaped. Click on that mail, to make the "\\" go away.
Can't reproduce with kmail/KDE4. If you still can, please attach a testmail and reopen.