Hermine, zweite Ehefrau von Ex-Kaiser
Hermine, second wife of ex-Emperor Wilhelm II. 21 letters. 18 typewritten letters with autograph signature "Hermine" (in colored pencil), of which 4 with autograph greeting and 3 with short autograph postscript, 1 autograph letter and 1 autograph card with signature, and 1 typewritten funeral card with signature and autograph greeting. Doorn, 1924-1938. ca. 21 p., mostly with printed letterhead "Haus Doorn - Brieftelegramm Ihrer Majestät der Kaiserin und Königin", 3 letters on personal stationery with silver embossed initial. Mostly 28 x 22 cm. The addressed envelopes to 19 letters preserved.
Friendly short letters to the theologian and poet Otto Overhof (Wanne-Eickel 1880-1957 Rome; cf. Brümmer and Kosch), loyal to the emperor, one letter also to his wife, the painter Gertrud Overhof (life dates unknown), two to both. The recipient numbered the sequence on the envelopes; in addition, a selection was transferred to ten typescript sheets (DIN A4), including twelve letters from 1927-1943 that have not been preserved (list enclosed). Originally, the correspondence comprised 80 numbers. The acquaintance between Overhof and Wilhelm II already dated back to the time before the First World War; the poet was one of the Emperor's guests at Villa Falconieri in Frascati (1924-28, Overhof's address again, then Via Claudia 7 in Rome), which was given to him by Ernst von Mendelssohn in 1907. For 1927, the correspondence testifies to a visit of Overhof in Doorn. - Mostly thank-you letters for Christmas and birthday greetings as well as gifts of books and poems. Standard phrases of Hermine include: "Gottlob the beloved emperor is well" - "Gottlob the beloved emperor well and fresh" - "He is further in glorious freshness, soulful grandeur". Occasionally it becomes more personal and politically explicit. Quotations from the letters preserved in the original: "The Emperor is well, he sends you his best regards and is happy with me to know that you are the guardian of Villa Falconieri" (in his own hand, 17.3.1924). - "Your faithful commemoration of His birthday has pleased the Emperor very much ... The Emperor is following the events in our sorely tried fatherland with serious concern. His warmest wishes belong to the homeland and the people!" (27.1.1933). - "Germany's awakening is beautiful, I firmly trust in Hitler!" (handwritten card with etched view of Haus Doorn, 26.7.1933). - "In Germany, under Hitler's energetic and ingenious leadership, things are moving forward, thank God" (12.12.1933). - The Emperor "of infinite mental and physical elasticity, we have the whole family gathered here. The most beautiful birthday present is the homecoming of the Saar - God help on. After the terrible collapse from 1918, this beautiful victory after the gratifying withdrawal from the League of Nations is the second step upwards, later to be noted in history without fail ... how often was our Emperor misunderstood and not followed Him in the most important issues" (25.1.1935). - "My eldest son, who also took part in the invasion of the Sudetenland, was there the whole time, is to our great joy here now and gave an interesting account of his unforgettable experiences" (7.11.1938). - Enclosures: I. 5 photo portrait cards, including Hermine (signed, Christmas 1935), Hermine (signed, to letter 57, Christmas 1936), Wilhelm II (signed, to letter 56 of 24.01.36, copy only). - II. Otto Overhof, handwritten will with signature as well as handwritten postscript of his wife with signature. Tübingen, 17.6.1912. 3 p. on double sheet, on the last page notarial confirmation. 33 x 21 cm. Break in the fold cross. - III Marie Jensen(1845-1921, painter, wife of the poet Wilhelm Jensen). Handwritten letter with signature to Gertrud Overhof. Prien am Chiemsee, 17.2.1920. 4 p. 18 x 14 cm. With envelope. - IV. 3 other letter enclosures,including Reichsschrifttumskammer Berlin, 29.11.37 (exclusion due to residence abroad). - Envelopes torn, some with stamps cut out, occasional fold breaks or marginal tears, overall in good condition.
