Letter from Mathilde Haenlein to Hermann Moedebeck, 1905

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This letter is from Mathilde Haenlein, the widow of Paul Haenlein, to Hermann Moedebeck. The Lilienthal museum shares a transcription, in German. We don't see the original, which was handwritten. Below is a translation of the transcription by Deepl, with slight simplifications by user:econterms:

  • From: Mathilde Haenlein, at Alleegaße 17, Baden, near Vienna
  • Dear Major, Please excuse me for only mentioning today your warm and heartfelt words about my late husband, for which I am most grateful. However, due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, the aeronautical magazine (issue number) 3 did not arrive until Monday. (p1)
  • The magazine, along with various letters, was forwarded to my brother-in-law's apartment in Vienna while I was already in Hungary and my sister and brother-in-law were in Karlsbad. The package ended up in my brother-in-law's newspaper folder due to the negligence of the maid and was not discovered until Sunday. I racked my brains in vain and felt (p2)
  • ... unsatisfied, and many letters I had sent remained unanswered. Now the mystery has been solved, but it has cost me a lot of trouble. Unfortunately, an error has crept into my husband's biography. He was not a chief engineer in a sewing machine factory, but in an engine factory, and this had been his specialty for many years. It was probably his work there that gave him the idea of using gas engines on balloons ... (p3)
  • ... If my poor husband could read your warm and appreciative obituary, Major, it would be a bittersweet joy for him and a small consolation for the many sacrifices he made in every way for aeronautics. Once again, with many thanks and best regards, Mathilde Haenlein (p4)

Sources


Sender Mathilde Haenlein
Recipient Hermann Moedebeck
Date sent 1905
From location Baden, near Wien
To location
Communication type letter
Language de
Refers to flight? 1
Tech fields Paul Haenlein, legacy, estate
Length (in words) 4
Full text available 1
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