The $\eta \pi^+ \pi^-$ final state in two-photon collisions is studied with
the L3 detector at LEP, at centre-of-mass energies from 183 to 209~GeV
with an integrated luminosity of 664.6~pb$^{-1}$. 
The f$_1$(1285) meson is observed and the $Q^2$ dependence of its production
is compared to different form factor models. 
The $\gamma\gamma$-coupling parameter $\tilde\Gamma_{\gamma\gamma}$ is found to be 
$3.5 \pm 0.6\,(stat.) \pm 0.5\,(sys.)$~keV.
The branching fraction 
$\Gamma\bigl({\rm f}_1(1285)\rightarrow{\rm a}_0\pi\bigr) / \Gamma\bigl({\rm f}_1(1285)\rightarrow\eta\pi\pi\bigr)$  
is also measured.