Albert Schweitzer - Lettre autographe signée - 1935

Signed handwritten letter by Albert Schweitzer — December 19, 1935

Signed autograph letter by Albert Schweitzer, written 'on the train Boulogne–Paris' on December 19, 1935, addressed to Frau Lublin in Strasbourg. Two pages of clear handwriting, supplemented by a perpendicular marginal note. Schweitzer reflects on his silence, which was due to an intensive stay in London where he was recording a series of organ records. He then outlines his tight schedule: arriving in Strasbourg on Friday evening, leaving early Monday to spend Christmas in Lausanne at Frau Kühl's.

The letter mainly discusses organizing a baptism in Strasbourg. Schweitzer describes the essential procedure: obtaining authorization from the competent pastor, completing administrative formalities with the parish, and registering in the baptism register. He invites Frau Lublin to meet him from Saturday morning at his residence on Sperrgasse to settle these matters before his trip to Colmar, where he is scheduled to officiate another baptism the following day.

The marginal note specifies that his family will then leave for Lausanne for the holidays. Schweitzer adds that he hopes his correspondent will be able to read 'what was written in the train,' a direct nod to the writing conditions. It is a representative testimony of his itinerant life between musical commitments, pastoral obligations, and personal ties in Switzerland and Alsace.


Condition: matches the photographs.
Number of pages: 2 pages + marginal note.

Full transcription

Train Boulogne–Paris
19.12.35

Dear Mrs. Lublin

Please forgive me for not replying to your request. I was so busy in London that all correspondence was left pending. I also did not know the date of my return, as I was working on a series of gramophone records for organ, and you can never predict when you will finish.

So I will arrive in Strasbourg on Friday evening, but I have to leave again on Monday to spend Christmas with Frau Kühl in Lausanne. The best time for me to hold the baptism would be on Saturday afternoon or evening, as I have a baptism in Colmar on Sunday.

Now, the matter of the parish assignment must be settled. Otherwise, I cannot record the baptism in the baptism register. I am only allowed to hold a baptism in Strasbourg with the permission of a Strasbourg pastor, essentially acting in his stead.

Can you meet me on Saturday morning at 9:30 at my place in Sperrgasse 2 I (at the Protestant–Bon Pasteur) so we can discuss the matter and then take the necessary steps? My phone number is 6047. But it’s better if you call instead.

because we are going to Lausanne for the Christmas holidays.
Go to Frau A. Kühl. Hopefully, you can do that.
Reading what was written on the train. Warm regards, yours.
[signature]

Complete translation

Train Boulogne–Paris
December 19, 1935

Dear Mrs. Lublin,

Please forgive me for not responding to your request. I was so busy in London that all my correspondence was left pending. I also did not know the date of my return, as I had a series of organ recordings to make in London, and one can never predict when they will be finished.

I will arrive in Strasbourg on Friday evening, but I have to leave early Monday to spend Christmas with Madame Kühl in Lausanne. The best option for me would be to celebrate the baptism on Saturday afternoon or evening, as I have a baptism in Colmar on Sunday.

However, the matter with the parish must be settled first. Without that, I cannot register the baptism in the register. I can only celebrate a baptism in Strasbourg with the authorization of a Strasbourg pastor, essentially in his representation.

Can you come to my place on Saturday morning at nine thirty, Sperrgasse 2, first floor (near Protestant–Bon Pasteur), so we can talk about all this and immediately start the necessary steps? My phone number is 6047. But it's better to come than to call.

As we are going on Christmas vacation to Lausanne.
At Madame A. Kühl's. I hope you can read.
What was written in the train. Best regards,
[signature]
Reminder dimensions: 20.5 x 12.8 cm.
Condition: See photos for details.
2 pages

Albert Schweitzer, born on January 14, 1875, in Kaysersberg, and died on September 4, 1965, in Lambaréné, was an Alsatian doctor, Protestant pastor and theologian, philosopher, and musician. The hospital he developed in the equatorial forest along the Ogooué from 1913 made him known worldwide. Wikipedia.

Carefully packaged and shipped in a rigid, waterproof cardboard box.

The photograph of Albert Schweitzer is presented as an illustration and is not sold with the lot.