Militär-arzt Nikolai Illarionowitsch Koslow: German Letter St.Petersburg 1855

You are bidding on one handwritten, signed letter the Russian military doctor Nikolai Illarionovich Kozlov (1814-1889), great-grandfather of the writer Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977).

Language:German (some with grammatical errors).

Dated St. Petersburg, 21st June / 3. July 1855.

Addressed to an art dealer.

Transcription:"Dear Mr. Hohneke! Your esteemed letter from the 15th. Juny from Düsseldorff I received it correctly. As for the first one, I have no idea; It may have been lost, because I haven't received any news from you to date, which surprised me now and then. I explained your silence by assuming that you had changed your plans and were not in Düsseldorf. As far as I can judge from your letter, you have found something for my weakness. Would you be so kind as to let me know in the next post what it is, what contents and prices? Be it accessible? Is there anything from your famous masters? Don't forget to give me your address at the same time; This letter will go à la belle étoile. Whether you even get it. – As far as I noticed straight away, you were also too uncertain about my address – you forgot your name (Nicolas). That may have been the reason why the first letter was lost. – Your portrait brings general joy. Your paysage is also placed; As soon as I get your address, I will send you the price. – When specifying the content of the images you found for me, don’t forget to specify the size. Adieu! Are you feeling well and cheerful."

Signed "Yours sincerely," N. Kosloff." -- This spelling of his name also appears in the auction catalog (Frankfurt aM 1893) of his coin collection: "Catalog of the rich collection of Greek and Roman coins of the sel. Privy Councilor Dr. Nicolaus Kosloff in St. Petersburg." (The catalog is not part of this offer).

Scope:four pages (21.2 x 13.3 cm); without envelope.

Condition: Paper browned and slightly stained. bPlease also note the pictures!

Internal note: Kiefer 23-10 (3) Folder Willlha Autograph Autograph Military Militaria Russia 

OverNikolai Illarionovich Kozlov (Source: wikipedia):

Nikolai Illarionovich Koslov (Russian Николай Illarionovich Kozlov; * 30. November Jul. / 12. December 1814 greg. in Orenburg; † 29. September Jul. / 11. October 1889 greg. in Saint Petersburg) was a Russian militarydoctor.

Life: Koslow studied medicine at the universities in Kazan (1829–1833) and in Dorpat (1833–1836) and received his doctorate from the latter in 1837. After two years in Vienna, Zurich and Paris, he returned to Russia in 1839 and entered military service as a medic. From 1841 to 1853 he was a full professor at the University of Kiev, where he taught medical history, clinical anatomy and clinical chemistry. In 1854 he was appointed to Saint Petersburg, where he was deputy director, and later also director, of the medical department in the War Ministry, from 1869 to 1871 head of the medical-surgical academy and from 1871 until his retirement in 1881 senior medical inspector.

On the 1st June 1861 (matriculation no. In 1960, Koslow was admitted to the Leopoldina with the nickname Stieglitz. For his services in the Russo-Ottoman War of 1877–1878 he was awarded the Alexander Nevsky Order in 1879.

About his family (source: German Translation of Russian Wikipedia):

Wife - Olympiada Kirovna

Daughter - Olga Nikolaevna (1845-1901) married businessman IV Rukavishnikov; her grandson is the writer Vladimir Nabokov.

Daughter - Praskovya Nikolaevna (1847-12/12/1910), married to Veniamin Mikhailovich Tarnovsky, was an outstanding neurologist and anthropologist, author of the monograph “Women Killers”, St. Petersburg., 1902; anthropological study, with 163 drawings and 8 anthropometric tables), author of the study “Thieves” (Journal of the Russian Society for Public Health. 1891. No. 6). She also shared criminal anthropology's ideas about an innate predisposition to recidivism. The fruits of their labor, which included extensive analytical material on prostitution, were used by Tarnovsky in his works. In addition to being an associate of her husband, Tarnovskaya was also an active supporter of women's education in Russia. Tarnovskaya's works were highly appreciated by AF Koni.