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Document Metadata

Description of original facsimile: One sheet, double-sided handwritten letter in black ink with "Mein Brief" ("My Letter") written in red crayon in the upper left corner. The letter appears to have been folded into fourths. Two holes are punched in the lefthand margin.

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We have removed the hyphenation that appears in the printed text during digitization and encoding. Original hyphenation can be consulted in the facsimile images.

Team member project IDs can be seen on mouse-over of their name. These IDs are used throughout the archival texts— linking editor and translator notes to the team member responsible for the note.

  • 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, Caroline McCraw
  • XML transformed into HTML on 05/26/2023 by Rebecca J. Parker
  • HTML proofing completed by Kristin Jacobsen, Laura Patricio-Bellizzi, Caroline McCraw, Orion Elrod

Transcription

Page 1

Mein Brief -@Translator: KEJ

18 August 1931

Dresden.Dresden (historical), city in Germany

(01) Kære Veninde.

(02) ProfessorenKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948 synes godt om Begyndelsen. Han har kun nogle rent lokale -@Translator: KEJ Indvendinger at gøre – og vil formulere dem for mig en af de første Dage.

(03) Samtidig vil han give mig sin hemmelige Adresse. Sagen -@Translator: KEJ er, han rejser i Slutningen af Ugen bort i Ferien – og her kender man saa ikke hans Adresse. Det er for at faa Fred.

(04) Dertil kan vi altsaa sende de følgende Kapitler Jeg kan godt forstaa paa ham, at han tror Bogen vil vække en uhyre Opsigt i TysklandGermany is a western European country whose capital is Berlin. – saa snart nu Forholdene atter bliver rolige.

(05) Mit eget Helbred bringer mig til Fortvivlelse. Jeg synes slet ikke det gaar fremad – og mit skønneste Haab er Døden. Kun ved jeg, at det faar jeg ikke Lov til, fordi Professoren ikke vil – og han er saa stærk.

(06) Mit Ønske med Bogen er en lille Revision af Herr OberartzKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948. Sidste Aar kendte jeg ikke al hans Mildhed og Barmhjærtighed. Han har
[Page 2]
reddet mig fra alle de værste Rædsler – og jeg vil altid skamme mig dybt, om der i min Bog stod et Ord, han kunde -@Translator: MO blive ked af. Altid er han saa god og mild imod – og altid parat at stille -@Translator: KEJ dæmpe mine Smærter. Og de -@Translator: KEJ aner ikke hvor højt man kommer til at elske en saadan Mand.

(07) Jeg haaber, De faar stor Glæde af Deres Begyn-delse paa det KongeligeThe Danish Royal Theater (historical), located in Copenhagen – og kommer jeg engang saa vidt, vilde det være herligt at se Dem spille der en Aften.

(08) De hjærteligste Hilsner til Dem og Deres Mand. Deres hengivne

Lili ElvenesLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931

Undskyld Brevenes -@Translator: KEJ Form! Jeg er altfor træt.

Translation

Page 1

My Letter -@Editor: KEJ

August 18 1931

Dresden.Dresden (historical), city in Germany

(01) Dear Friend.

(02) The professorKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948 thinks well of the beginning. He only has some objections here and there to make – and will formulate them for me in the next few days.

(03) At the same time he will give me his secret address. The case is, he travels at the end of the week on vacation – and here one doesn’t know his address. It is [for him] to be left in peace.

(04) So there we can send the following chapters. I can understand that he thinks the book will create an enormous sensation in GermanyGermany is a western European country whose capital is Berlin. – as soon as the state of affairs becomes calm again.

(05) My own health brings me to despair. I do not think it will improve at all – and my most beautiful hope is death. Only I know that I am not allowed to because the professor doesn’t want it – and he is so strong.

(06) My wish for the book is a little revision of the head doctorKurt Warnekros (1882–1949), a German gynecologist who performed all but the first of four surgeries on Lili Elvenes; director of the Women’s Clinic in Dresden (Staatliche Frauenklinik) from 1925 to 1948. Last year I did not know all his gentleness and mercy. He has
[Page 2]
 saved me from all the worst horrors – and I would be deeply ashamed if there was a word in my book that would make him sad. He is always so good and gentle – and always ready to alleviate my pains. And you would not know how much one comes to love such a man.

(07) I hope you will enjoy your start at the Royal TheatreThe Danish Royal Theater (historical), located in Copenhagen – and if I manage to get that far, it would be a pleasure to get to see you play there one night.

(08) The heartiest greetings to you and your husband. Your devoted

Lili ElvenesLili Elbe (fictional and historical), legal name Lili Ilse Elvenes; born Einar Wegener (1882), died in Dresden, 1931

Excuse the letter's form! I am too tired.