Letter, 9.7.1925, from Bjørn Rock Bjørge

Object reference: RA 318B28

Type: Letter

Sender / Author: Bjørn Rock Bjørge

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 9.7.1925

Language: Norwegian

🔍Large image, RA 318B28

Translation

                        SEVILLA 9-7-1925

Mr Roald Amundsen,

                                   O s l o .

           

The small Norwegian colony here in Seville, consisting of 2 men, has with admiration and anticipation followed you and your brave companions on your journey through the ice, and we allow ourselves now, albeit tardily, and so all the more heartily, to congratulate and compliment you on the results achieved and express our deepest admiration for the strength and endurance, and unfailing energy, that the deed amply demonstrates. Some of the old glory has come again over the Viking land, and it is with joy and pride we call ourselves your countrymen.

            But not only we Norwegians, the Sevillanos too have followed the reports of the expedition with admiration and intense interest, and now sincerely hope that one of your brave aviators will also include Seville in his lecture tour. The enthusiam and support would no doubt be tremendous.

            With regard to your book about the escape, it would be my pleasure to translate it into Spanish, if you or your publishers have not already made other arrangements.

                                   Yours faithfully

                                   pr. Bjørn Rock Bjørge

Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 9.7.1925, from Bjørn Rock Bjørge
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital

Letter, 5.8.1925, from Mikhail Alekseevich Diakonoff 

Object reference: RA 318B42

Type: Letter

Sender / Author: Mikhail Alekseevich Diakonoff 

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 5.8.1925

Language: Norwegian

🔍Large image, RA 318B42

Translation

<indistinct notes written in pencil>

Mr Roald Amundsen

“Svartskog”

Bunnefjord

—————-   

Since, according to the contract between the Norwegian Aeronautical Association and the State Publishing House in Leningrad, I shall be translating your new book into Russian, I take the liberty here of asking if you would be so kind as to write a short preface to the Russian edition. This preface will be reproduced photographically in the book, as well as translated into Russian. If I were also to be allowed to photograph you for reproduction in the book, I would be deeply grateful.

If you are so gracious as to grant my request, I venture to ask you kindly to fix a time when you can receive me.

Thanking you in advance for your hospitality, I remain

Yours respectfully

<signed>

Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 5.8.1925, from Mikhail Alekseevich Diakonoff
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital

Letter, 22.6.1925, from Franz Ottenheimer

Object reference: RA 318B48

Type: Letter

Sender / Author: Franz Ottenheimer

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 22.6.1925

Language: German

🔍Large image, RA 318B48
English translation

Professor R. Amundsen.

                                                                                     Oslo.

              Dear Mr Amundsen.

              You may remember, in 1913, when I had the pleasure of welcoming you on the occasion of your lecture in Munich. There is a great span of time between then and now and a lot has changed, but your daring, your energy and your inquiring mind have remained the same.

              If I allow myself today to express my sincere congratulations on your return, I consider myself fortunate to be able to tell you, as the representative of the Norwegian Colony in Munich, how proud we are of you.

              Your picture, which you gave to me a long time ago, is garlanded with flowers in my room.

              With best wishes and highest regards

                                                         Sincerely yours

                                                         Franz Ottenheimer

                                          Norwegian Consul for Bavaria

Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 22.6.1925, from Franz Ottenheimer
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital

Letter, 25.8.1925, from Det Kongelige Danske Geografiske Selskab
[The Royal Danish Geographical Society]

Object reference: RA 318B36

Type: Letter

Sender / Author: Det Kongelige Danske Geografiske Selskab

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 25.8.1925

Language: Danish

🔍Large image, RA 318B36 I
🔍Large image, RA 318B36 II

English translation

To
Mr. Roald Amundsen.
                            With reference to our letter of <…>, allow me to send these lines so that the arrangements for your kind lectures at the “Royal Danish Geographical Society” may come to meet your wishes. We would like to ask
1/  if there are any, whom you might wish to be invited to attend the lecture,  and
2/  if you wish to do the Society the honour of participating in a light meal between

Side 2

the 2 lectures, there won’t be much time, but you must have something to strengthen you then to sustain your efforts.

Hoping to hear a few words
I am, with all best wishes,
<…>
Yours sincerely
General <Secretary>

Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 25.8.1925, from Det Kongelige Danske Geografiske Selskab [The Royal Danish Geographical Society]
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital

Letter, 8.7.1925, from Beate Konow Søeberg

Object reference: RA 318B29

Type: Letter

Sender / Author: Beate Konow Søeberg

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 8.7.1925

Language: Norwegian

🔍Large image, RA 318B29 I
🔍Large image, RA 318B29 II
🔍Large image, RA 318B29 III

English translation

8.7.25

Mr Roald Amundsen

H. M. The Queen would very much like you to once more write down your names and those of your companions – Lieutenants Riiser Larsen,

Side 2

Dietrichson, Omdal and Mr Ellsworth, which she does not have. Likewise, put the date for the start, aircraft, and the day you returned.

              I hope that you will now have a good rest period out at Svartskog after your hard & tiring trip. It’s the least you

Side 3

deserve! !

My warmest greetings are sent to you from your devotee

Beate Konow Søeberg

Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 8.7.1925, from Beate Konow Søeberg
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital

Letter, 16.7.1925, from Axel Wilhelmsen

Object reference: RA 318B52

Type: Letter

Sender/ Author: Axel Wilhelmsen

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 16.7.1925

Language: Norwegian

🔍Large image, RA 318B52

English translation

                                                                                                     Oslo, 16 July 1925
W/CS.

Mr Roald Amundsen,

              Uranienborg, postal adr. Baalerud,

                                          Svartskog.

              The City of Kiel’s Office of Trade and Industry has telegraphed to inform us that it has addressed an inquiry to you and to Dr. Eckener with the aim that the conference reportedly planned between you and Dr. Eckener should take place in Kiel. The aforementioned authorities in Kiel are asking that we try at the same time to help ensure that this will happen.

              With regard to the above, we respectfully inform you that, provided your journey to Germany actually happens, it will be a great honour for us to obtain a quiet and suitable cabin for your pleasure on one of our passenger ships to Kiel. Departure takes place from Toldbodbryggen, Hersted, every Saturday at 11, and arrival in Kiel Sunday afternoon at around 3-5.-

              It goes without saying that this also applies even if the aforementioned conference does not take place in Kiel.

                                                                                                   Respectfully yours

                                                                       Det Søndenfjelds Norske Dampskibsselskab

[The Søndenfjelds Norwegian Steamship Company]

                                                                       Axel Wilhelmsen <signed>

Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 16.7.1925, from Axel Wilhelmsen
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital

Letter, 20.8.1925, from Laur. Christiansen

Object reference: RA 318B64

Type: Letter

Sender / Author: Laur. Christiansen

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 20.8.1925

Language: Norwegian

🔍Large image, RA 318B64

English translation

Hr. Roald Amundsen, Oslo

Two years ago you were kind enough to present us with the map you used on the South Pole journey. This is now stored in Bergen Museum’s fireproof vault, pending the opening of our collections on the 4th floor of Bergen Museum’s new historical-antiquarian building, probably next year.

Now we come to you again and ask for your consideration and goodwill by remembering us with an object from the flying expedition and, in a similar way, a memento from “Maud” when it comes home. We are grateful for what we can get, but allow us to suggest that we would very much like to have maps — to be able to have a part of our map wall as a Roald Amundsen-tribute in our museum — for the edification of posterity. We dare to assure you that the objects will be treated as they should be.
We therefore hope for your goodwill and remain

in admiration
Bergen Sjøfartsmuseum
Laur. Christiansen [signature]
Forman [by hand]

A.Ragnar Brækhu [signature]

Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 20.8.1925, from Laur. Christiansen
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital

Letter, 19.7.1915, from Edna Christofferson

Object reference: RA 318B33

Type: Letter

Sender / Author: Edna Christofferson

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 19.7.1925

Language: English

🔍Large image, RA 318B33

Transcription

                                                                                                                                              July 19 – 1925,   

Captain Roald Amundsen

North American Newspaper Alliance

New York, N.Y.

My dear Mr. Amundsen:–

It is with the utmost happiness that I learn of your safe return to civilation and to the friends who love you.

No one in the world has been more keenly interested in your flight than have I.

I witnessed your first air flight, in a hydro-airplane with the late Silas Christoffersen at San Francisco March 26t 1913. At that time I remember you purchased the flying boats from Mr. Christofferson for your contemplated trip to the north Pole the following year.

Would you please send me one of your autographed photos? 

My hearty good wishes to you and to Lincoln Ellsworth

                                    Kindest personal regards,

                                               Mrs. Silas Christofferson

Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 19.7.1915, from Edna Christofferson
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital

Letter, 4.4.1925, from Sigrid Hougaard

Object reference: RA 318B37

Type: Letter

Sender / Author: Sigrid Hougaard

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 4.4.1925

Language: Norwegian

🔍Large image, RA 318B37 I
🔍Large image, RA 318B37 II
🔍Large image, RA 318B37 III

English translation

Lillesand 4/7–25.

                Dear Roald Amundsen !

There should be a tribute poem to you in Tidens Tegn’s children’s newspaper, and then my poem arrived a day late, because we live here and I didn’t get it as nice as I wanted it for you. So I sent it to you, but you probably haven’t got it yet. But you should have it, and you must salute the other handsome guys from me, but now I don’t know the address,

Side 2


but the whole of Norway and the whole world know about you, so you’ll get it OK. Now the two little girls Kamilla and her sister should have been here with you. Yes, I write that poem now in honour of you and the others too:

Side 3


                To Roald and his men.

In the hearts of children across Norway’s land,

will Roald and his men stand as a lasting memory.

You brave bird, whom the Pole could not hold in its icy embrace.

Welcome home! I can find no words

to explain the feeling that lives in my heart!

You stout Roald! I have a wish,

It will be fulfilled, when you on your next journey set out.

Yes, I am small, but surely I see:

“You plant Norway’s flag at the Pole next year !”


[The original Norwegian is written as rhyming couplets]

                __________________

Compliments from Sigrid Hougård, Lillesand.

                13 ½ years.

Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 4.4.1925, from Sigrid Hougaard
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital

Letter, 30.6.1925, from Hugo Eckener

Object reference: RA 318B66

Type: Letter

Sender / Author: Hugo Eckener

Recipient: Roald Amundsen

Date: 30.6.1925

Language: German

🔍Large image, RA 318B66 I
🔍Large image, RA 318B66 II
🔍Large image, RA 318B66 III
🔍Large image, RA 318B66 IV

Transcription

                                                                                                                            

Dr. Hugo Eckener

                                                           Friedrichshafen a.B., den 30. Juni 1925.

            Dr.E./H.

            Herrn

            Roald Amundsen,

                        Oslo (Norwegen)

Sehr verehrter Herr Amundsen!

Ich bestätige den Empfang Ihres Telegramms: “anfange Oslo

vierten Juli wann und wo koennen wir einander treffen” und antwortete

darauf: “zu Besprechung in Kjoebenhavn oder Hamburg

zwischen zehnten und zwanzigsten Juli bereit stop erwartet

zuvor ausfuehrlichen Brief”.

            Es ist mir sehr lieb, daß Sie eine mündliche Besprechung

vorschlagen, denn die Situation ist durch einige Ereignisse

in den letzten Tagen ein wenig kompliziert geworden und es ist

am besten, sich mündlich darüber auszusprechen. Ich werde Ihne

mit einigen Worten im Nachstehenden die Situation erklären:

           Seitdem ich zufällig mit Ihnen in New York bei den “hunter

zusammentraf und Ihnen den Vorschlag machte, einmal mit einem

Luftschiff zum Pol zu fahren, habe ich immer daran gedacht,

daß dieses einmal Wirklichkeit werden könne. Nach meiner Rück=

kehr von Amerika erfuhr ich dann, daß sich eine “International

Studiengesellschaft zur Erforschung der Arktis” in Deutschland

gebildet habe, welche Nansen als Präsidenten hat. Diese Gesell-

schaft hat seit einigen Monaten versucht, mit mir in Fühlung

zu kommen und eine Einigung mit mir zu erzielen. Als Sie nun

4 Wochen lang verschwunden waren, wurde zwischen mir und der

Side 2

“Studiengesellschaft” eine Besprechung in Berlin vereinbart

und zwar auf Freitag, den 26. Juni. 8 Tage vor dieser Be-

sprechung kamen Sie plötzlich wieder und ich sandte Ihnen

sofort eine Depesche des Inhalts: “Aufrichtigste Glueckwuensche

zu dem erfolgreichen ersten Versuch die Arktis mit Luftfahr-

zeug zu erforschen punkt hoffe im Sinne Vorschlages in Newyork

auf Zusammenarbeit bei weiteren Unternehmungen aehnlicher Art”.

Leider erhielt ich auf diese Depesche, wohl infolge Ihrer

außerordentlichen Ueberschwenmung mit Depeschen, keine Antwort

bis zum Freitag, den 26., da Ihre Antwort nach Friedrichshafen

gegangen war und mir von hier leider brieflich nach Berlin

geschickt wurde. So kam es, daß die Besprechung mit der

“Studiengesellschaft” vorher stattfand und daß ich mit dieser

eine bedingte Vereinbarung traf, deren Inkrafttreten davon

abhängt, daß das von mir angebotene Luftschiff von der “Studien-

gesellschaft” akzeptiert wird. Als ich von der Besprechung in

mein Berliner Büro zutückkam, fand ich Ihre Depesche vor, die

ich außerordentlich gern 3 Stunden früher in Händen gehabt

hätte. Ich weiß nun nicht, welche Absichten Sie haben, ob Sie

sich gegebenenfalls an der Expedition der “Studiengesellschaft”

unter Umständen mit beteiligen würden, oder ob Sie zuwarten

wollen, ob meine Vereinbarung mit der “Studiengesellschaft”

wirklich zum Zusammenarbeiten mit dieser führt und ob Sie es

vorziehen, allein mit mir zu arbeiten, falls die Vereinbarung

nicht in Kraft tritt. Unter allen Umständen würde ich es für

sehr gut halten, wenn wir uns über diese Situation und sonstige

wichtige Fragen einmal mündlich besprechen könnten und ich sehe

Ihrer gefälligen Nachricht darüber entgegen, ob Sie ein Interess

daran haben, an irgend einem Tage zwischen dem 8. und 20. Juli

Side 3

(zwischen dem 20. und 28. Juli habe ich keine Zeit) oder

nach dem 28. Juli mit mir in Kopenhagen oder Hamburg oder an

irgend einem Orte, der etwa in der Mitte zwischen Oslo und

Friedrichshafen liegt, zu treffen.

            Indem ich nocheinmal meine herzlichsten Glückwünsche

für den Erfolg Ihres Fluges und Ihre glückliche Rückkehr

wiederhole, bin ich

            in ausgezeichneter Hochachtung

            mit besten Grüßen

              Ihr sehr ergebener

               Hugo Eckener

                                  Undskyld engelsk

Efter å <nå> hørt han <forb.> det selv,

så har delv. min interesse faldt bort

da jeg finde at du allerede er truffet slike foranstaltninger at <juli> er …..   [by hand in Norwegian]

Side 4

Bekl.at Tiden rim<elig man > tilbud tidl ….  ….

Av samme … grunn Planer kommer exp. <…> usikre og

<fnb.> stadium at    [by hand in Norwegian]

English translation

                                                                                                                            

Dr. Hugo Eckener

                                                           Friedrichshafen a.B., den 30. Juni 1925.

            Dr.E./H.

            Herrn

            Roald Amundsen,

                        Oslo (Norway)

Dear Mr Amundsen!

            I confirm receipt of your telegram: “start Oslo fourth of July when and where can we meet” and replied to it: “Ready for discussion in Kjoebenhavn or Hamburg between tenth and twentieth of July stop detailed letter expected beforehand”.

            I am very pleased that you propose an oral discussion, because the situation has become a little complicated by some events in the last few days and it is best to talk about it orally. I will explain the situation to you in a few words below:

            Ever since I happened to meet you at the “hunter” in New York and made the suggestion that you go to the Pole in an airship, I have always thought that one day this could become a reality. After my return from America I learned that an “International Research Association for Exploration of the Arctic” has been formed in Germany, with Nansen as president. This Association has been trying for some months to make contact and come to an agreement with me.

[The “International Studiengesellschaft zur Erforschung der Arktis mit dem Luftschiff” was also known by its shorter title “Aeroarctic”]

When you had been gone for 4 weeks, a meeting was indeed arranged between me and the

Side 2

“Studiengesellschaft” in Berlin, on Friday, June 26th. 8 days before this you suddenly came back and I sent you immediately a telegram with the content: “Sincerest congratulations on the first successful attempt to explore the Arctic by air stop hope, in the sprit of the proposal in New York, to work together on further undertakings of a similar nature.”

Unfortunately, probably as a result of your extraordinary deluge of despatches, I received no reply to this telegram until Friday the 26th, since your reply had gone to Friedrichshafen and was unfortunately sent by letter from here to me in Berlin. So it came about that the meeting with the “Studiengesellschaft” took place beforehand and that I made a conditional agreement with them, the coming into force of which depends on the airship I am offering the “Studiengesellschaft” being accepted. When I returned to my Berlin office from the meeting, I found your telegram, which I would have loved to have had in my hands 3 hours earlier. I don’t know what your intentions are now, whether you would possibly take part in the expedition of the “Studiengesellschaft” or whether you want to wait and see whether my agreement with the “Studiengesellschaft” really leads to working with them and whether you would prefer to work alone with me if the agreement does not come into effect. In any case, I would think it would be very good if we could have a face-to-face talk about this situation and other important issues, and I look forward to your kind [favourable] message as to whether you are interested in meeting some day between July 8th and 20th

Side 3

(between July 20th and 28th I don’t have time) or after July 28th in Copenhagen or Hamburg or at some place halfway between Oslo and Friedrichshafen.

            As I once again reiterate my warmest congratulations on the success of your flight and your happy return, I am

            most respectfully

            with kindest regards

              Your very devoted

               Hugo Eckener

                                  Undskyld engelsk

Efter å <nå> hørt han <forb.> det selv,

så har delv. min interesse faldt bort

da jeg finde at du allerede er truffet slike foranstaltninger at <juli> er …..   [by hand in Norwegian]

Side 4

Bekl.at Tiden rim<elig man > tilbud tidl ….  ….

Av samme … grunn Planer kommer exp. <…> usikre og

<fnb.> stadium at    [by hand in Norwegian]


Related resources

1872
Roald Amundsen born July 16
1880
Starts at Otto Andersen’s School
1886
Jens Engebreth Amundsen dies
1887 – 1889
Polar interest aroused
1890
Starting university
1893
Gustava Amundsen (née. Sahlqvist) dies
1893
Mountain ski tour with Urdahl and Holst
1894
Hunting in Arctic waters with the Magdalena
1895
Ship’s Officer’s exam
1896
Hardangervidda with Leon
1897 – 1899
Belgica expedition
1899
Cycling from Christiania to Paris
1900
Studying geomagnetism in Hamburg
1903 – 1906
Gjøa expedition
1907
Polar bears as draft animals
1908
Amundsen buys Uranienborg
1909
The North Pole reached?
1910 – 1912
Fram expedition
1914
Amundsen becomes a pilot
1916 – 1917
The polar ship Maud is being built
1918
Maud expedition
1922
Nita and Camilla move in
1923
Uranienborg for sale
1924
Amundsen goes bankrupt
1925
To 88 degrees north
1925
Letter, 30.6.1925, from Hugo Eckener
1926
Norge expedition
1927
Lecture tour in Japan
1928
Latham flight
1934 – 1935
Uranienborg becomes a museum
1938
Betty’s house burns down
2015
A chest full of photographs is discovered
2020
Roald Amundsen’s home goes digital