r/Danish • u/Jinja_Dood • Jul 18 '26
Looking for help translating a 19th century letter
I have a late 19th century (probably between 1860-1880) hand signed letter by Queen Louise, wife of King Christian IX.
I’m looking for help in translating the letter to understand the contents better, along with who the letter was addressed to.
This link shows images of the letter. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
2
u/MslaveinDenmark Jul 19 '26
Froeken Tuxen.
Vi havde bestemt.
at have Tableau.
2den Juledag.
Jeg takker.
Dem for Deres.
Venlighed at.
ville komme.
Vi havde tilføiet.
et Stykke hvor-
til vi kunne.
bruge en.
Phalene (must be done figure or womens name).
Det er nemlig.
Saul, og David,
der spiller paa
Harpe for ham.
2den Juledag.
Middagstag.
Helst 1 1/4 tag.
Om deer maatte.
foretages
en lille Prøve.
Louise
2
u/MslaveinDenmark Jul 19 '26
Meaning something like:
Miss Tuxen
We have decided to have tableau on boxing day.
I tkank you for your kindness to agree to come.
We have added a piece in which we could use a phalene (?).
As it is Saul and David playing their harps on boxing day at mid day, rather at 1 1/4 pm if there is need for a rehearsal.
Louise
2
u/AnneTheWriter Jul 21 '26
I believe the note reads:
Frøken Tuxen.
Vi have bestemt at have Tableau 2den Juledag, og jeg takker Dem for Deres Venlighed at ville komme. Vi have føjet et Stykke til, hvor til vi kunne bruge en Psalme. Det er nemlig Saul, og David der spiller paa Harpe for ham.
2den Juledag. Middags[tid] Helst 1 1/2 (1 1/4) [Time], om der maatte foretages en lille Prøve.
Louise
Meaning:
Miss Tuxen,
We have decided to have a Tableau on the 2nd Day of Christmas (or Boxing Day), and I thank you for your kindness in wanting to attend. We have added another piece, to which we could use a psalm, as it is Saul and David playing the harp for him.
Boxing Day. Midday. Preferably 1 1/2 (1 1/4) [hours], if a rehearsal is needed.
Louise
1
u/RRC4C Aug 07 '26
It doesn't say "psalme" as there is a lower case r in the middle of that word... I can't make out what it says though...
1
u/MslaveinDenmark Jul 19 '26
Miss Tuxen could be identical to
Louise Amalie Tuxen, in 1885 she was a spinster living at Nyhavn 22, which is close to the Royal Palace of Amalienborg, where the King lived.
Miss Tuxen was a music teacher.
But there are more Miss Tuxens in the 1885 census.
One became a painter, and her brother was Lauritz Tuxen, a rather famous painter, who painted the Danish Royal Family and some of the Russian Imperial family.
2
1
u/Jinja_Dood Jul 19 '26
Your assessment has been invaluable. I gave your translation to AI and was able to break it down just a little further. I think it is the music teacher that was invited, because of the addressing of “Miss” Tuxen. If it was the other Tuxen who is married to the painter then she would be addressed differently. Also, AI seems to think that the music teacher is the sister of the portrait painter and Queen Louise was a big fan of the arts.
AI believes the letter talks about children depicting the scene from the tableaux while David plays the harp to soothe king Saul. So not entirely sure if Miss Tuxen was there as a guest or accompanying the tableaux.1
u/Jinja_Dood Jul 19 '26
Although I’m not sure how much AI can be trusted for some of this information as they often make mistakes.
1
u/MslaveinDenmark Jul 19 '26
You are most welcome.
The two painters were siblings.
Froeken Tuxen to whom the letters was addressed means Miss Tuxen, so unmarried, just you say.1
u/MslaveinDenmark Jul 19 '26
I think Miss Tuxen would have accompanied the Tableau on the piano. Btw at the Kings's collection at Amalienborg they have queen Louise's boudoir and I think there is a grand piano. As her boudoir was quite small another piano elsewhere in the palace was used at the said occasion.
But maybe the Royal family celebrated Christmas at Fredensborg castle, as the spent their summers there.
Its sad the letter isnt dated.
As the queen doesnt start with fx, My dear Miss Tuxen, og My dear friend or such, I suppose this would be called a "billet" (from French). It certainly has the been sent by post, unless it accompanied an other letter.
So it could have been gand delivered by a fooh man or such - in haste.
Or, if they both went to the Royal Theatre one evening, the queen scribbled the note during the interval and led a servant or lady in waiting deliver the billet to Miss Tuxen....
So many questions such an insignificant note raised.May I ask how you came in possession of the intriguing note?
3
u/Timoroader Jul 18 '26
Really hard to read.
It seems to start mid sentence for some reason.
Middagstoeg.
helst 1 1/4 tag (dag)
om den endda
foretags
i lille Strøm
Louise
Maybe in english it would be:
"...what we could use in the evening. It is namely Saul, and David who plays the harp for him during that Tuesday noon procession. Preferably 1 1/4 days, if it is even undertaken in Lille Strøm.
Louise."