Letter to Camilla Grosse, December 1961
Watercolor Entitled "The Twins of December 8, 1961"
My dear Camilla, December 1961
You as a ?? and I as an old man, but we are always two twins [they shared the same birthday] – niece and uncle bound to each other. Thank you dear, and from the other side of our unhappy world, my uncle-ishly blessings and wishes for your good health for a beautiful December 8, your xth birthday. When I wake up in the morning on that day here, then the moment of the holiday will arrive for you and yours. Many nice letters and presents, I hope, will fill your pleasant little home.
For two years now, on the first of December we've had real rain, 20 - 25 cm per day so that millions of dollars of profits from the harvest of ripe oranges and lemons will be gone. There is a metallic dripping and ? outside. We hear from your dear good mother Rose about your visits to the theater and concert, and also that you have been doing much spirited and good at work. Above is a portrait of the two of us as I imagine us. I have put "Types" around us–old ladies with hanging pearls, negroes, and ?. When will we vacation together again? It has been a few years, and so ?
So, once again, best wishes for next year, Merry Christmas between that, and peace to us. Love, your uncle the Tin.
My dear Camilla, December 1961
You as a ?? and I as an old man, but we are always two twins [they shared the same birthday] – niece and uncle bound to each other. Thank you dear, and from the other side of our unhappy world, my uncle-ishly blessings and wishes for your good health for a beautiful December 8, your xth birthday. When I wake up in the morning on that day here, then the moment of the holiday will arrive for you and yours. Many nice letters and presents, I hope, will fill your pleasant little home.
For two years now, on the first of December we've had real rain, 20 - 25 cm per day so that millions of dollars of profits from the harvest of ripe oranges and lemons will be gone. There is a metallic dripping and ? outside. We hear from your dear good mother Rose about your visits to the theater and concert, and also that you have been doing much spirited and good at work. Above is a portrait of the two of us as I imagine us. I have put "Types" around us–old ladies with hanging pearls, negroes, and ?. When will we vacation together again? It has been a few years, and so ?
So, once again, best wishes for next year, Merry Christmas between that, and peace to us. Love, your uncle the Tin.
Letter to Camilla Grosse, January 1966
My dear Camilla [Leonie's niece],
Once again we both have the same birthday. This letter brings many dear wishes to you. I had a good time as your host ?, and think about you often. Our dear Rose [Camilla's mother, Martin's sister-in-law] was accompanied by Lonni and my thoughts on her short flight to Denmark. We read that you had some restful days in Friedenau (where Lonni and I met), with enjoyable excursions to the beautiful Wannsee and Nikolskoy [a historic Russian restaurant in Berlin]. It is clear in my mind because as children, we went there every Sunday in summer. Also, in the second war we often went to Wannsee and Cladow [a historic village inside Berlin].
Today on December 1 I was, as usual, with Lonni for several hours [she was in a convalescent home, where she died several months later]. Finally she obediently took my doctoring ? and she was finally treated.
I will enclose a photo of Lonni and her daughters and grandchildren. This was always a peaceful day for Lonni. Today Julia has her 10th birthday and now she is, as expected, a teenager. I called Lonni on their telephone. Today Michael [Suzanne's son] danced some steps for Lonni and did some daring pirouettes. He goes to lessons three times a week, and he continually hops and steps between lessons and schoolwork.
[second page, not shown] You would have fun with him! He crackles with movement, and is a bundle of nerves. As his newest thing, he delighted us by drumming on his concert-quality drums.
Today I ?? the bleak environment for Lonni's letter to Eli. v. Wiese. Lonni draws and watercolors flowers every few days.
Well, there's nothing much to say from this end, my dear Camilla. I can't sit in the sun, because the cold ocean wind and the thick clouds make me shiver. Much love to you, and thank you for your letter of December 8. When I awake in the morning, then you will hopefully be sitting at afternoon coffee in your own house.
Greet your dear recently-returned mother, all your brothers and Rosel and Erika and all the nieces and nephews. And thanks from your old Uncle Tin, who thinks of you.
Once again we both have the same birthday. This letter brings many dear wishes to you. I had a good time as your host ?, and think about you often. Our dear Rose [Camilla's mother, Martin's sister-in-law] was accompanied by Lonni and my thoughts on her short flight to Denmark. We read that you had some restful days in Friedenau (where Lonni and I met), with enjoyable excursions to the beautiful Wannsee and Nikolskoy [a historic Russian restaurant in Berlin]. It is clear in my mind because as children, we went there every Sunday in summer. Also, in the second war we often went to Wannsee and Cladow [a historic village inside Berlin].
Today on December 1 I was, as usual, with Lonni for several hours [she was in a convalescent home, where she died several months later]. Finally she obediently took my doctoring ? and she was finally treated.
I will enclose a photo of Lonni and her daughters and grandchildren. This was always a peaceful day for Lonni. Today Julia has her 10th birthday and now she is, as expected, a teenager. I called Lonni on their telephone. Today Michael [Suzanne's son] danced some steps for Lonni and did some daring pirouettes. He goes to lessons three times a week, and he continually hops and steps between lessons and schoolwork.
[second page, not shown] You would have fun with him! He crackles with movement, and is a bundle of nerves. As his newest thing, he delighted us by drumming on his concert-quality drums.
Today I ?? the bleak environment for Lonni's letter to Eli. v. Wiese. Lonni draws and watercolors flowers every few days.
Well, there's nothing much to say from this end, my dear Camilla. I can't sit in the sun, because the cold ocean wind and the thick clouds make me shiver. Much love to you, and thank you for your letter of December 8. When I awake in the morning, then you will hopefully be sitting at afternoon coffee in your own house.
Greet your dear recently-returned mother, all your brothers and Rosel and Erika and all the nieces and nephews. And thanks from your old Uncle Tin, who thinks of you.
Letter to Rose Grosse, May 23, 1966
Dear Rose [Rose Grosse, Leoni's sister], Torrance, May 23, 1966
My best wishes for you and yours on Pentecost. We're having good, warm weather, and it's easy to hang out on the big balcony with the sun and warmth and dear people, like your Camilla [Rose's daughter]. Yesterday we had the daughter of K. Paetsh here for Sunday afternoon coffee. We spoke a lot about Hamburg and all our friends and relatives. Today the book by Fr. Gilot came [Françoise Gilot's Life with Picasso]. I plonked down in the garden and browsed through (?). Now I have something to read, because this Picasso is always interesting. Thank you for getting it for me so quickly. A lot is fantasized about him, but at bottom he's just a painter, as well as a philosophizing, searching man.
So, dear Rose, have a wonderful Pentecost with all your dear ones. Here's a bit of fun for you, a view directly towards Palos Verdes - ?
Love, your old Tin
My best wishes for you and yours on Pentecost. We're having good, warm weather, and it's easy to hang out on the big balcony with the sun and warmth and dear people, like your Camilla [Rose's daughter]. Yesterday we had the daughter of K. Paetsh here for Sunday afternoon coffee. We spoke a lot about Hamburg and all our friends and relatives. Today the book by Fr. Gilot came [Françoise Gilot's Life with Picasso]. I plonked down in the garden and browsed through (?). Now I have something to read, because this Picasso is always interesting. Thank you for getting it for me so quickly. A lot is fantasized about him, but at bottom he's just a painter, as well as a philosophizing, searching man.
So, dear Rose, have a wonderful Pentecost with all your dear ones. Here's a bit of fun for you, a view directly towards Palos Verdes - ?
Love, your old Tin