Alexandra's postcard letter to Toni Becker, dated December 30, 1899/January 11, 1900

Source:

Briefe der Zarin Alexandra von Russland an ihre Jugendfreundin Toni Becker-Bracht (2009), edited by Lotte Hoffmann-Kuhnt

The letter:

Tsarskoje Selo Grand Palais impérial

Dez. 30. 1899-Jan. 11. 1900

Wir ziehen morgen in die Stadt über. Kaltes Wetter — Hoffe alle wohl & munter. Kam meine Sendung richtig an? 1000 Grüsse. — Hier wurde O. getauft. Die Alte wohnt im kleineren Palais. —

English translation (my own):

Tsarskoe Selo Grand Palais impérial

Dec. 30. 1899-Jan. 11. 1900

We move into town tomorrow. Cold weather — Hope all are well & cheerful. Did my shipment arrive correctly? 1000 greetings. — Here O. was baptised. Alte lives in the smaller Palace.

Above: Alexandra with Olga and Maria.

Note: The chapel at the Catherine Palace where Olga had been christened on November 14/26, 1895 is in the center of the palace.

Alexandra's telegram to Toni Becker, dated October 22, 1899

Source:

Briefe der Zarin Alexandra von Russland an ihre Jugendfreundin Toni Becker-Bracht (2009), edited by Lotte Hoffmann-Kuhnt

The telegram:

= innigste glueck-segenswuensche, freute mich unendlich endlich euch zu begegenen, wie lange bleibst du noch? =

alix +

English translation (my own):

= best of luck and blessings, I am infinitely happy to finally meet you, how long are you staying? =

alix +

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Alexandra's telegram to Toni Becker, dated June 29, 1899

Source:

Briefe der Zarin Alexandra von Russland an ihre Jugendfreundin Toni Becker-Bracht (2009), edited by Lotte Hoffmann-Kuhnt

The telegram:

= innigsten dank brief, telegramm, beide wohl =

alix +

English translation (my own):

= fondest thanks letter, telegram, both well =

alix +

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Alexandra's letter to Toni Becker, dated May 17/29, 1899

Source:

Briefe der Zarin Alexandra von Russland an ihre Jugendfreundin Toni Becker-Bracht (2009), edited by Lotte Hoffmann-Kuhnt

The letter:

Peterhof

Den 17/29. Mai 1899

Meine liebste Toni,

Es ist ewig lange her, dass ich Dir zuletzt schrieb. Von Herzen danke ich Dir für Deinen lieben Brief — eure Reise muss reizend gewesen sein. — Nach abermaliger Kälte haben wir endlich warmes Wetter, nur regnet es beständig & der Flieder will doch noch immer nicht blühen. — Die Kinder sind viel im Freien, & es bekommt ihnen recht gut — sie sind munter und vergnügt, wachsen sehr & sprechen viel. Der Winter war ein schlechter für die Kleinen & mich, denn wir haben dreimal die abscheuliche Influenza gehabt. — Wir sind hier seit 9 Tagen & ich bin glücklich wieder an der See zu sein. — Mein Mann besichtigt einige Schiffe heute in Kronstadt. Gestern spielte er zwei Stunden lang Lawn-Tennis. Sonst schiebt er mich meistens überall im Garten herum in meinem Rollstuhle, denn gehen kann ich nicht seit der Krim. Ebenso nicht stehen, da ich dann gleich solch arge Schmerzen auch, daher die abscheuliche Handschrift. — Diesmal werd es besonders schwer wieder werden, da ich so lange elend bin. — Denke an mich, willst Du — um meinen Geburtstag herum — wie schön wenn es gerade am 6ten wäre! Deine Kleinen müssen süss sein. Deine letzte Photo mag ich gar nicht. Doch genug für heute, ich bin zu müde um mehr zu schreiben.

Es umarmt Dich innigst

Deine treue Alte

Ich werde an eurem Hochzeitstage in Liebe Deiner gedenken. —

English translation (my own):

Peterhof

May 17/29. 1899

My dearest Toni,

It has been a long, long time since I last wrote to you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your lovely letter — your trip must have been lovely. — After repeated cold weather we at last have warm weather, only it rains constantly & the lilacs still will not bloom. — The Children are outdoors a lot & it suits them quite well — they are lively and happy, growing a lot & talking a lot. The winter has been a bad one for the Little Ones & me as we have had the dreadful influenza three times. — We have been here for 9 days & I am happy to be back at the sea. — My husband is inspecting some ships in Kronstadt today. He played lawn tennis for two hours yesterday. Otherwise he usually pushes me all over the garden in my wheelchair, as I have not been able to walk since the Crimea. Also mustn't stand, as then I will be in such awful pain, hence the abominable handwriting. — This time it will be particularly difficult again, as I have been miserable for so long. — Think of me, will you — around my Birthday — how nice if it were the 6th! Your Little Ones must be sweet. Your last photo I don't like at all. But enough for today, I am too tired to write more.

A hearty embrace

Your faithful Alte

I will remember you with love on your wedding day. —

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Note: This letter was written a month before Alexandra gave birth to her third daughter Maria.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated December 1899/January 1900

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Innigen Dank für lieben Brief. Hoffe Schwiegermutter wohler. Haben heute 20 gr. Kälte gehabt. Waren in der Stadt, ziehen am 31.ten über. alle munter. Tausend Dank, reizendes Kissen, Büchlein, Bleistift, Tannenzweige, Karte- — A

English translation (my own):

Many thanks for dear letter. Hope mother-in-law more comfortable. Have had 20 degrees of cold today. Were in town, moving over on the 31st. all cheerful. A thousand thanks, [for] lovely pillow, little book, pencil, pine branches, card- — A

Above: Alexandra with her dog Ara. Photo courtesy of Ilya Chishko.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated December 30, 1899/January 12, 1900

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Hope quite well. Cold weather — Have good news from my sister & the Baby. Have a great deal of packing to do as we go tomorrow to town. Best love A

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Chishko.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated December 28, 1899/January 9, 1900

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Hope you are feeling stronger. My sister had a son this night, both doing well. A.

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated December 12, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Innigsten Dank für den lieben Brief, den ich soeben erhielt. Freue mich sehr Sie wohl zu wissen, gedenke Ihrer mit inniger Liebe. Wir bleiben hier bis Freitag, kehren dann nach Z[arskoje] zurück. — Am anxiously awaiting the telegram mit der Mitteilung der Geburt eines Kindes von Gretchen. God bless & protect you, A.

English translation (my own; original English in italics):

Heartiest thanks for the dear letter I just received. Am very pleased to know you [are] well, think of you with heartfelt love. We stay here until Friday, then return to Zarskoe. — Am anxiously awaiting the telegram announcing the birth of a Child to Gretchen. God bless & protect you, A.

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated December 6, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Loving thanks for your dear letter, just received; glad that you are feeling well, thoughts much with you. — Xana came here with the children for a week. — It is cold & windy so they could only drive in a brougham. Our bazaar is on 23, 24, 25, 26. I am working & painting hard for it. Fondest love, your old frie[n]d A.

Above: Alexandra.

Note: Xana = Xenia.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated November 8, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Leaving alas this evening. Sending you truly bedquilt I made with loving thoughts for ..... & small jacket. Weather foggy. So sad not to see you. Best love, A

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 27, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Herzlichen Gruss, A.

English translation (my own):

Hearty kisses, A.

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 16, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

I have just put the Babies to bed. — It is bright & sunny tho' decidedly cold. — yours A.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with their daughters Olga, Tatiana and Maria.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 15, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Loving thanks four your dear letter. All deeply grieved to hear that you have again not been so well. Do take care of yourself & don't run about so much, it really is not at all wise. — Tender love from A.

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 13, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

With Love from Auntie A.

Above: Alexandra.

Note: Alexandra called herself "Auntie" because she was going to become godaunt to Gretchen's child.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 12, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

All are well & send love A.

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 12, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Innige Grüsse von A.

English translation (my own):

Kind regards from A.

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 12, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Herzliche Grüsse von A.

English translation (my own):

Hearty regards from A.

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 12, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Bei dem schönsten Wetter fand die Einweihung statt. Die Malereien sind noch nicht im Inneren begonnen. A.

English translation (my own):

The dedication took place in the most beautiful weather. The paintings have not yet started inside. A.

Above: Alexandra.

Note: The Russian church on the Mathildenhöhe in Darmstadt, dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, was donated by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig (Alexandra's brother) and built between 1897 and 1899.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 12, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

In loving rememberance of bygone days from y. affecte. friend A.

Above: Alexandra.

Alexandra's postcard letter to Gretchen von Fabrice, dated October 12, 1899

Source:

Alix und Gretchen: Briefe der Zarin Alexandra Feodorowna an Freiin Margarethe v. Fabrice, aus den Jahren 1891-1914 (2002), published by Heinrich, Count of Spreti

The postcard letter:

Best love from A.

Above: Alexandra.