Browse

Letters from each decade from the 1840s to the 1910s illustrate changes in paper and writing practices. Click on a page image to read a sample letter.

C.J. Gottlieb Klug an Carl Christian Dobberpuhl, 29. April 1846

Briefe von C.J. Gottlieb Klug an Carl Christian Dobberpuhl, 29. April 1846.

Marie Hansen Taylor to Lina Hansen, October 1, 1859

Letter from Marie Hansen Taylor to her mother, Lina Hansen, October 1, 1859.

Hermann Raster an Sophie Raster, 13. April 1865

Brief von Hermann Raster an seine Schwester Sophie Raster, 13. April 1865.

Gustave Grupe to Amalie Grupe, September 16, 1898

Letter from Gustave Grupe to Amalie Grupe, September 16, 1898.

Catharina Heck to Eugen Klee, February 10, 1901

Letter from Catharina Heck to Eugen Klee, February 10, 1901.

Postcard to Lina Höllmüller, November 25, 1912

This postcard was sent to Caroline ("Lina") Höllmüller from one of her siblings in Germany in 1912. She was born in 1881 near Neureichenau, in a picturesque area of eastern Bavaria, where family operated a resort for travelers. In 1902, she immigrated to the United States, initially living in Kansas City, Missouri, and working as a nanny there. By fall 1911, she was living in Chicago, where she received this postcard. She later married Joseph A. Rauch, in 1913, and lived in Chicago for the remainder of her life.