1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
Letter, 14.8.1925, from Felix Boucher
Object reference: RA 318B14
Typee: Letter
Sender / Author: Felix Boucher
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 14.8.1925
Language: French
🔍Large image, RA 318B14 I
🔍Large image, RA 318B14 II
Transcription
Monsieur.
Je ne sais si vous avez reçu la lettre qui je vous adressais il y a environ un mois. N’ayant pas de réponse je me permets de la renouveler.
Je viens au nom du musée de Documentation Contemporaine, inauguré par Monsieur le Président de la République, il y a quelques semaines, vous demander quelques mots sur la carte ci-jointe. Je vous avais envoyé en premier lieu une carte ornée de quelques reproductions de journaux parus au moment de votre grande expédition. Je vous demandai de vouloir bien m’envoyer au besoin quelques photos, le plus petit souvenir possible joint à quelques lignes de votre main.
Depuis 1914, c’est à dire depuis 11 ans je me suis chargé de cette documentation des grands évènements du monde.
Side 2
J’ai pu donner ainsi au musée qui comprend une centaine de mille de brochures 180 albums, 60 à 80.000 documents et 1500 autographes des Personnalités mondiales.
J’espère, Monsieur l’Explorateur que vous comprendrez l’importance de l’œuvre et que vous ne priverez pas le Public Français d’un petit souvenir auquel il attachera le prix tout mérité.
Croyez à mes sentiments les plus respectueux.
Felix Boucher
Directeur de l’ecole
16 rue Laugier
Paris 17eme
J<…> que la Grand Press Française
Excelsior
Le Petit Parisien
L’œuvre
L’intransigeant
ont <…> des articles à ces collections.
[Handwritten in Norwegian] avreist
English translation
Sir.
I do not know whether you received the letter that I addressed to you about a month ago. Having no reply, I am taking the liberty of repeating it.
I come in the name of the museum of Contemporary Documentation, inaugurated by the President of the Republic a few weeks ago, to ask you for a few words on the enclosed map. I originally sent you a map embellished with some reproductions of newspapers published at the time of your great expedition. I asked you to kindly send me some photos, if necessary, the smallest souvenir possible attached to a few lines of your hand.
Since 1914, that is to say for 11 years, I have charged myself with this documentation of the great events of the world.
I have thus been able to donate to the museum, which includes a hundred thousand brochures, 180 albums, 60 to 80,000 documents and 1,500 autographs of world personalities.
I hope, Mr. Explorer, that you will understand the importance of the work and that you will not deprive the French public of a small souvenir to which they will attach the value well-deserved.
Be assured of my most respectful sentiments.
Felix Boucher
Directeur de l’ecole
16 rue Laugier
Paris 17eme
I <…> only the Great French Press
Excelsior
Le Petit Parisien
L’œuvre
L’intransigeant etc.
have <…> articles to these collections.
[In Norwegian, in a different hand] departed
Related resources
Letter, 20.6.1925, from George Vibert Douglas
Object reference: RA 318B51
Type: Letter
Sender / Author: George Vibert Douglas
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 20.6.1925
Language: English
🔍Large image, RA 318B51 I
🔍Large image, RA 318B51 II
🔍Large image, RA 318B51 III
Transcription
To Northern Ontario
20/6/25.
Capt Roald Amundsen,
Dear Capt Amundsen,
Heartiest Congratulations
on your great trip.
Dont risk your precious
life on an old airplane.
If you are off again get
a new machine before
Side 2
starting and I also
suggest a light
winch for hauling
planes out of water.
I’m off on an Exploration
Survey for Ontario Gov.
and hope to hear of
your success when I
come back to civilisation
in Sept.
The best of luck &
all good wishes to
you.
The Gades were
Side 3
well when I left
Boston.
Sincerely Yours
G. Vibert Douglas.
(late of the Shackleton
Expedition)
Capt. G. V. Douglas.
4193 Sherbrooke St. W.
Montreal.
Canada.
Related resources
Gjøa purchase contract, 19.1.1901
Object reference:
Type: Contract
Sender / Author: Hans Christian Johannesen
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 19.1.1901
Language: Norwegian
Translation
Copy
Purchase contract.
The undersigned Captain H.C. Johannesen and Captain Roald Amundsen hereby jointly declare today that they have entered into this contract.
I H.C. Johannessen hereby sell to Mr. Roald Amundsen my own hunting vessel “Gjøa” with its now associated inventory, Arctic hunting gear and casks, 2 – two – hunting boats and 1 – one – stern boat all in good safe condition for a purchase price of Kr. 9750 – nine thousand seven hundred and fifty kroner – whereof Kr. 2750 – two thousand seven hundred and fifty kroner – payable before the end of January, Kr. 2000 – two thousand kroner – by Mr. Amundsen’s arrival in Tromsø, and upon the ship’s takeover, the remaining amount Kr. 5000 – five thousand kroner – payable to Mr. Merchant Poul Figenschou with Kr. 1,000 per year <at> 5% interest, the first time.
I Roald Amundsen undertake to provide a sufficient self-debtor’s surety for Kr. 5,000 – five thousand kroner.
I H.C. Johannessen guarantee the vessel is free of encumbrances and the title is in order.
Authenticated Tromsø 19. Jan. 1901.
H.C. Johannesen
Related resources
Letter, 28.7.1925, from Arnfinn Heje
Object reference: RA 318B3
Type: Letter
Sender / Author: Arnfinn Heje
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 28.7.1925
Language: Norwegian
Translation
Mr Roald Amundsen,
“Svartskog”,
Oppegaard st.
Your most honourable [letter] of the 27th Dec. brought us your very kind and appreciative statement about our brand “Melange”, which is why we wish here to convey our best thanks.-
Arnfinn Heje
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Letter, 3.7.1925, from Frøis Frøisland
Object reference: RA 318B8
Type: Letter
Sender / Author: Frøis Frøisland
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 3.7.1925
Language: Norwegian
Translation
Oslo 3rd July 1925
KRISTIANIA
Personal and private.
Mr. Roald Amundsen.
Horten
Dear Roald Amundsen,
Welcome south again! And congratulations on your brilliant acheivement. Yours and that of your comrades.
So that you can be informed, I am sending you some enclosed newspaper cuttings. Look at them before you get to Oslo__.
Respectfully and devotedly yours
Fröis Fröisland
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Letter, 6.7.1925, from Jacob Bjerknes
Object reference: RA 318B19
Type: Letter
Sender / Author: Jacob Bjerknes
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 6.7.1925
Language: Norwegian
🔍Large image, RA 318B19 I
🔍Large image, RA 318B4 II
Translation
On the train 6/7 1925
Dear Captain Amundsen!
I heard from Dr. Ræstad that the book about the polar flight should/shall/will be finished written already in this month, and that some meteorological material may possibly be used in it. I am happy to provide any assistance that might be desirable in discussing the meteorological questions, and likewise suggest the meteorological results that can be inferred from the observations at 87° 44. All of course in short and popular form. From the middle of the month Mr Calwagen will also be in the Oslo area (Gardermoen or Horten), so he too can help.
When I met Ellsworth yesterday I asked him to send his observations to Mr. Calwagen in Bergen, but after what I later heard about the plans for rapid publication, I think it better that all material is kept together in Oslo, and rather that Calwagen and I will be there when necessary. We can both be reached by letter or telegram to Bergen, I will initially be at Turtagrø for a while, but can also come down from there at a couple of days’ notice.
I won’t make this letter longer than necessary now, when you have hundreds of letters to read every day. Nor do I need any [other (crossed out)] answer until you have got through the worst of the fuss, and during the work on the book have found out how much meteorology is needed in the story.
Yours sincerely
J. Bjerknes
P.S. Excuse the writing, the train is rocking! D.S.
Related resources
Letter, 19.6.1925, from John B. Chevalier
Object reference: RA 318B32
Type: Letter
Sender / Author: John B. Chevalier
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 19.6.1925
Language: English
🔍Large image, RA 318B32 I
🔍Large image, RA 318B32 II
🔍Large image, RA 318B32 III
🔍Large image, RA 318B32 IIII
🔍Large image, RA 318B32 V
🔍Large image, RA 318B32 VI
🔍Large image, RA 318B32 VII
🔍Large image, RA 318B32 VIII
Transcription
[Written in another hand] Godt svar [Good response]
New York,
June 19, 1925
HARVARD CLUB
27 WEST 44TH STREET
Dear Captain Amundsen:
With all mankind we are overjoyed at your safe return from the Far North; your brave name is on everyone’s lips in New York.
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2
When you left New York I told you that all our hearts would be with you and I have been terribly worried and now we are all so happy.
It was a feat worthy of
Page 3
3
the bravest of the ancient Vikings and not only have you added another brilliant page to exploration but your success is a great and practical assistance to the great cause of aviation.
We have
Page 4
4
unlimited faith in your courage and resource but we were worried. We thank God for having guarded you in all the great dangers.
The First Reserve Aero Squadron is
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very proud that its great Honorary Member has now done so much for aviation in addition to his immortal achievements in exploration. Your hop to the
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6
Far North without a base was every bit as brave as long distance daylight bombing which was one of the roughest games in the War. Heroes and hero worship are not dead in modern
Page 7
7
times.
When you left for your steamer that day I wondered if you obtained that novel, “Thelma” by Marie Corelli. If not I will hunt for it when you return to New York. There
Page 8
8
is an old fearless Viking in it just like you.
I shall bring up my little son to know that I had the privilege of meeting you.
We all joyfully await your return to New York.
Devotedly yours,
John B. Chevalier
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Letter, 7.7.1925, from Thoralf Backe
Object reference: RA 318B23
Type: Letter
Sender / Author: Thoralf Backe
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 7.7.1925
Language: Norwegian
Translation
Dear Roald Amundsen!
It is not because it was me who suggested you in Aftenposten as an honorary citizen of Oslo. –
The only worthy title – in my opinion – there was worthy of you.
Nor is it not that I am an autograph or photograph collector – on the contrary –
But be so profoundly kind, when you have enough time – send me a picture of you – preferably in “work
Page 2
clothes”
I have a cozy, snug fireplace lounge with hunting, high mountain and old Finmark and Spitsbergen pictures.
– There your portrait will be given place of honour. –
My wife and I warmly welcome you and your companions home. –
Yours
Respectfully
Thoralf Backe
7. / 7. 25.
Related resources
Letter, 29.7.1925, from P.A. Branstner
Object reference: RA 318B16
Type: Letter
Sender / Author: P.A. Branstner
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 29.7.1925
Language: German
Translation
Bønningstedt, 29.July 1925
E.H. [personally]
Mr Roald Amundsen,
Oslo.
Referring politely to the correspondence I have had with you, I ask you to kindly let me know when and where I may honor you with my visit for the purpose of a personal discussion. This discussion is of the greatest importance to me insofar as I could make any changes that a North Pole flight requires and demands of a flying machine.
I beg you once again, very sincerely, to let me know the date of an interview and I salute you with the utmost respect.
P.A. Branstner (stamp)
P.A.Branstner (signed)
[Annotated by another hand, in Norwegian]
If flying machine next time,
To be remembered
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Letter, 6.7.1925, from Arnljot Austlid
Object reference: RA 318B1
Type: Letter
Sender / Author: Arnljot Austlid
Recipient: Roald Amundsen
Date: 6.7.1925
Language: Norwegian
Translation
Tak. Henv R.L.
Erl. Skjalgs gt. 26
6. July 1925
Mr Roald Amundsen,
Oslo.
I have constructed an automatic bearing device that I think will interest you. The device works completely independently and shows where it is on our globe at all times.
With such a device on board a Zeppelin, without a compass, and even if the Zeppelin never drifts that much with the weather and wind, or goes in curves, one will always know exactly how many degrees of longitude and latitude one is at.
The invention sounds somewhat incredible, but is, however, no more complicated than I can make the principle understandable by oral conference and demonstration.
As the invention is of great international interest, it will be difficult to bring it forward without it being stolen. As far as I can understand, it must be patented in all countries at the same time. If Dr. Eckener is to be trusted, it would interest me to get him or his company to finance it. I believe that the device will be of great importance for aviation, especially over the Arctic regions.
I am contacting you because I assume that you will be interested in having the invention presented so that you can use the device on your next polar expedition.
Respectfully
Arnljot Austlid
[Handwritten by Amundsen] Wastepaper basket?
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