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  • Photographed by Pamela L. Caughie
  • Images prepared by Matthew Gallagher
  • Transcription completed by Kristin Jacobsen
  • Translation completed by Kristin Jacobsen, Maiken Boysen
  • Translation reviewed by Marianne Ølholm
  • Encoding completed by Tyler Monaghan
  • Encoding assistance and/or XML proofing completed by Rebecca J. Parker, Nikolaus Wasmoen
  • XML transformed into HTML on 08/26/2019 by Rebecca J. Parker
  • HTML proofing completed by Adeline Azungue

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Description of original facsimile: The page is tinted a brownish yellow color. The letter itself is folded into 8 equal folds. A sentence is written on the left hand margin of the page. There is a small tear in the lower right hand corner right on the fold. The letter is written in cursive with the date and place written in the top right corner. Small parts of the letter are underlined.

Letter to Poul Knudsen by Lili Ilse Elvenes

Transcription

[Facsimile Image]

LindevangenLindevangen – In Denmark 10.

6 Mars 1931

(001) Kære PoulPoul Knudsen (historical) Linked to: #hvideNiels – Husband of Vibeke Knudsen.

(002) Tusind Tak for Dit Brev, - og undskyld mig at jeg først nu svarer derpaa; men Affairen med Bogen havde taget saa stærk paa mig at jeg blev syg, derpaa kom GerdaGerda Wegener (historical) Linked to: #sparreGre – hjem, og jeg har haft saa meget at gøre med Udstillingen.

(003) Da jeg mærkede, hvor daarligt Resultatet truede med at blive, trak jeg Bogen helt tilbage.

(004) HasselbalchSteen Hasselbach (historical) – Danish publisher gav som en af de vægtige Grunde til ikke at udgive Bogen den: at en Smædeskriver i sit Blad havde skrevet noget om mig, som jeg iøvrigt aldrig har læst.

(005) Jeg har levet her i KøbenhavnCopenhagen – City in Denmark som i en Gifttaage af fæl og ondsindet Sladder. Du kan tro, det har været slemt for en stakkels syg og svag Pige. Jeg ønskede bare at dø. Men nu har Bladet vendt sig. Folk bevidner mig deres Medfølelse – jeg havde gerne undværet begge Dele, baade: at de var onde paa mig og at de nu har ondt af mig.

(006) Flere Forlæggere har nu henvendt sig til mig, og jeg er klar over, at jeg kan faa min Bog ud, naar jeg vil – ogsaa fra Udlandet er der sket Henvendelser.

(007) Du viste Dig atter som min gode Ven, da Du skrev til mig! Det er meget muligt, jeg om kort Tid henvender mig til Dig, men ikke igennem Forlægger -@Translator: KEJ.

(008) De allerhjærteligste Hilsner fra Din

LiliLili (fictional and historical) Linked to: #sparreAn #wegenerE – Our project editors have been unable to verify that Lili Elbe used the pseudonym Lili Courtaud outside of its use in the narrative.

Jeg længes saa meget efter VibekeVibeke Knudsen (historical) Linked to: #hvideIng – Wife of Poul Knudsen. Hils hende fra mig og sig hende at jeg finder hendes Portrait et af GerdaGerda Wegener (historical) Linked to: #sparreGre – s bedste Billeder. -@Translator: KEJ

Translation

LindevangenLindevangen – In Denmark 10.

6 March 1931

(001) Dear PoulPoul Knudsen (historical) Linked to: #hvideNiels – Husband of Vibeke Knudsen.

(002) Thousand thanks for your letter, – and I’m sorry that I am just now answering; but the affair with the book had drained me so much that I became ill, then GerdaGerda Wegener (historical) Linked to: #sparreGre – came home, and I have had so much to do with the exhibition.

(003) When I realized how bad the result threatened to become, I withdrew the book altogether.

(004) HasselbachSteen Hasselbach (historical) – Danish publisher gave as one of his weightiest reasons not to publish the book: that a libeler in his newspaper had written something about me, which incidentally I have never read.

(005) I have lived here in CopenhagenCopenhagen – City in Denmark in a poison fog of ugly and malicious gossip. Believe me, it has been bad for a poor sick and weak girl. I just wanted to die. But now the table has turned. People express to me their sympathy – I would have preferred to do without both parts, first: that they were mean to me as well as that they now feel sorry for me.

(006) Several publishers have now approached me and I am aware that I can get my book out when I want – there have also been approaches from abroad.

(007) You showed yourself again as my good friend, when you wrote to me! It is very possible I will approach you shortly, but not through a publisher -@Translator: KEJ.

(008) Very heartfelt greetings from your

LiliLili (fictional and historical) Linked to: #sparreAn #wegenerE – Our project editors have been unable to verify that Lili Elbe used the pseudonym Lili Courtaud outside of its use in the narrative.

I long so much for VibekeVibeke Knudsen (historical) Linked to: #hvideIng – Wife of Poul Knudsen. Greet her from me and tell her that I find her portrait one of GerdaGerda Wegener (historical) Linked to: #sparreGre – ’s best pictures. -@Translator: KEJ