Letters Hall 1845-55: Dr. Med. Weber Over Kunsthändler Hermann Weber (1817-1854)

You bid two nice letters from 1845 and 1855 out of Halle (Saale).

Posted by dr medical Johann Nikolaus Weber (* around 1791), father of Hermann Weber (1817-1854), art dealer in Cologne and Bonn. His large art collection was auctioned by Weigel in Leipzig in 1855 and 1856; larger parts went to the British Museum.

The first letter on the Death of his mother and mother-in-law Rachel Charlotte Keferstein, b. Drewsen (born in May 1764 as the daughter of the paper manufacturer Gabriel Christoph Drewsen in Lachendorf near Celle, d. 17. March 1845), widow of the paper manufacturer and district magistrate Philipp Sebastian Ludwig Keferstein (1754-1834) in Kröllwitz (today a part of Halle).

The second letter on the early death of his son Hermann Weber (born 21. April 1817 in Halle; died on the 18th August 1854 in Bonn) Art dealer in Bonn. This had previously been retired from the military due to poor health. There is also a report about him in the first letter.

addressed to "Frau Doctor Angelica Althaus, "Well born in Berlin", di Angelika Luise Althaus, b. Pupil (1808-1880), wife of Privatdozent and later professor of philosophy Karl Heinrich Althaus (1806-1886) as well as Widow of the professor of philosophy in Halle Johann Georg Mußmann (1795-1833).

1.) Letter dated Halle, 19. March 1845.

Scope: written on three of four pages (21.2 x 13.3 cm); on the fourth page addressing (with the note "In addition to the printed matter", relating to the sending of obituaries).

Excerpts: "My dear friend, pressed by the shortness of time and even more by the overwhelming number of sick people that the bad winter has brought us, I had already commissioned the bearer of these lines, our faithful, dear Voigt, to bring you the double sad news, I prefer to take over their message myself, even if only in a few lines. [...] I announce to you the death of the two [...] women who were so close to your heart and ours and who have been the focus of our domestic suffering and joy for so many years, mine and Louisens Mother. My old faithful mother made on 23. January the beginning as the oldest - she had on 6. January her 81st Birthday celebrated - and on Monday- d. 17 i.e. - she was followed by the good, kind Mama Keferstein, who also celebrated her 81st birthday. Birthdays approaching in May. The passing of both was gentle and quiet and we can only look up to heaven with thanks that he gave us both mothers for so long and took them away so painlessly. In the late summer, my mother had the joy of seeing her three sons around her, and my youngest brother from Rostock brought his wife, whom we didn't know, to us at the same time."

Then about his wife's illness, the harsh winter, the death of Pastor Hecht in Lettin (Halle) and the son of the recipient, Hermann Weber (1817-1854): "That Hermann settled in Cologne as an art dealer and his jolly brother-in-law as Compagnon suppose you knew about him himself. The latter is a real consolation to me on account of his failing health. By the way, the saying goes: 'Every beginning is difficult!' also probably apply to him; however, I have equipped it admirably with my entire art collection – probably 50,000 sheets. Antonie is well and I am no less, since, as you know, I have no time to be ill."

Signed "Your faithful friend Dr. Weber."

2.) 4-page letter (21.3x13.7cm); attached is the original envelope.

Dated Hall, 29. March 1855 (with an addendum dated 30. March).

Excerpts: "My dear friend, if I accept the dear lines of your hand, a true reflection of your beautiful inner being, so quietly and silently, you will credit the busy doctor and even more your father, who at that time was in a whirlwind of business and especially writing letters in the affairs of his son's family saw that he needed all his calm prudence and was therefore reluctant to open the wound again. [...] Yes, the days and hours I spent in Bonn at my brave Hermann's sickbed were difficult, especially given the tension in which we lived, since his condition still left open the prospect and hope of recovery. [...] Therefore only the last hours of his life - on 18. August – umflort to name, which were visibly led past him more easily by my presence and composure. [...].

His friends in Germany and England say he would have had to live another 5 years and he would have had his own fortune; but even if he left a rich treasure of the greatest rarities, such as the stylus and etching needle of the painter and copper engraver, that if you only pay the estimate - 12,000 fl. - achieve, his family will not suffer any hardship, especially if my daughter-in-law can decide to live here in Halle."

In the end about his wife's good health and a trip to Potsdam. At the end he announces a piece "from my Hermann's estate". -- In fact, the note "besides a copper engraving" is written on the envelope.

Signed "Your old faithful friend Dr. Weber."

In the addendum of 30 March the friend Voigt is mentioned again.

About Johann Nikolaus Weber: Johann Nikolaus / Nicolaus Weber was born around 1791 in Halle as the son of Johann Nicolaus Weber in Neuenkirchen near Melle. on the 17th In November 1815 he married Albertine Louise Ernestine Keferstein, b. around 1795 as the daughter of the paper manufacturer and district magistrate Sebastian Ludwig Keferstein (1754-1834) in Kröllwitz and Rahel Charlotte, b. Drewsen (born 1765, died 17. March 1845).

About the recipient: Angelika Luise (Angelica Louise) Schüler was born in Berlin in 1808 as the only daughter of the merchant Johann Benjamin Schüler and Carolina Sophia, nee. Tornow (eldest daughter of the Spandau merchant Carl Friedrich Tornow) and died on 25. August 1880 at the age of 72 in Berlin. On March 3, her parents had Married in Berlin in December 1794.

on the 23rd On September 18, 1830 she married in Berlin the professor of philosophy in Halle Johann Georg Mußmann (1795-1833), son of the master blacksmith in Reichenberg near Danzig Johann Friedrich David Mußmann. This marriage remained childless.

In her second marriage she married on 8. April 1843 in Berlin the private lecturer and later professor of philosophy Karl Heinrich Althaus (1806-1886). From this marriage there were three sons:

- Karl Hermann Althaus (* 9. February 1844 in Berlin), Dr. of philosophy and high school teacher, who died on 1. March 1875 in Berlin Marie Louise Charlotte Anna Schrader von Beauvryé had married, b. Early 1853 in Schöneberg near Berlin as the daughter of the Royal Board of Auditors and retired Firstleutnant Albin Schrader von Beauvryé

-Hset up Georg Althaus (* 25. February 1845 in Berlin, died. on the 31st October 1894 in Berlin), Royal District judge and district court councilor in Berlin, who died on 2. April 1884 in Berlin Marie Adelgunde Auguste von Dechend had married, b. on the 22nd November 1855 in Berlin as the daughter of Reichsbank President Hermann von Dechend (1814-1890) and Adelgunde, b. Wilke

-Ernst Ludwig Althaus (* 9. May 1848 in Berlin), Dr. of philosophy (Diss. Berlin 1874 "Quaestionum de Iulii Pollucis fontibus specimen") and teacher at the Askanian Gymnasium in Berlin. on the 15th On April 18, 1884 he married the teacher Anna Elisabeth Schmiel (* 19. April 1857 in Berlin), daughter of the regular teacher at the teachers' seminar at the Augusta School Wilhelm Ottomar Schmiel and Julie Luise Anna, born. stepf. One of their sons was Ernst Althaus (* 19. February 1889 in Berlin; † 21 April 1977 in Herford), German lawyer and mayor of the cities of Minden and Herford.

Condition: The first paper browned and somewhat stained; the second letter only slightly browned. You're welcome note also the pictures!

Internal note: Althaus Vorphila