Karen Blixen (b. Rungstedlund 1885, d. s.p. 1962)
Isak Dinesen (b. Rungstedlund 1885, d. s.p. 1962)
Viggo Kjær Petersen (b. 1935, d. 2012)
Karen Blixen: 2 autographed letters from Karen Blixen to Viggo Kjær Petersen. Rungstedlund 1961. Dated February 8th and October 18th. One letter with 1 typed page in black ink on blue stationary. One letter with 3 typed pages in black ink on white paper watermarked “The City Mill E.J.K.” Both letters signed by Blixen in blue ink. + Isak Dinesen: On Mottoes of My Life. The American Academy of Arts and Letters. [No place] 1960. 15 leaves stapled together. 14 typed pages in black ink, 13 of which are paginated. Front leaf inscribed, signed and dated by Blixen in dark blue ink. With wear. Last leaf fixed with tape. + Ehrengard. Rungstedlund 1962. Pages typed in English in black ink. Inscribed, signed and dated by Blixen in black ink. Bound in wrapper with handwritten title on front in blue ink. + Børge Noer: B/w photograph of Karen Blixen and Emma Wamboi Njonjo. Hørsholm 1962. Passepartout: 8×12.4 cm. + Johannes Øvereng: B/w portrait photograph of Karen Blixen. Hørsholm [1960]. Mounted on paper. Housed in wrapper. Passepartout: 11.1×8.4 cm. (6)
Viggo Kjær Petersen (1935–2012) was a Danish dramatist, translator and literate. Despite the fact that Kjær Petersen came into Blixen's life relatively late, the two got very close.
Being the year before Blixen's death, these two letters reflects the world famous author as extremely weakened, though she still manages clever and sarcastic remarks on her own behalf.
Letter from October 18th, 1961: This letter contains a number of answers concerning the becoming and reception of her work “Sorg-Agre”. It provides unique descriptions, reflections, and inspirations directly from Karen Blixen. Furthermore, the friendship between Karen Blixen and Viggo Kjær Petersen is clear as she expresses concern and care for her young friend. As a tragicomic response to hearing about his sister being ill, Blixen writes: “Til Oplysning: Karen Blixen vejer 32 kilo”, in which the absurdity inevitably both shocks and draws a smile on one's face. She finishes the letter writing: “I Mellemtiden: cheer up! Man's unconquerable mind kræver jo saa at sige ”agonies“. Maaske man kan se de Ting som oprører Dem [...] just som Udtryk for denne unconquerable mind, der søger Udvej tværs igennem Elendigheden.”
The two letters have presumably never been known in public before, i.e. they are not mentioned in: Frans Lasson og Tom Engelbrecht (eds.): Karen Blixen i Danmark, vol. 2. Breve 1931–62. Cph: Gyldendal 1996. Therefore, they provide historic and yet unseen information by Blixen.
References: Benedikte Hammershøy Nielsen (2012): “Viggo Kjær Petersen”. Teaterleksikon.lex.dk. + Bruun Rasmussen Kunstauktioner (2015): “Blixens breve til en ung litterat”. Bruun-rasmussen.dk.
Provenance: Descendants of Viggo Kjær Petersen.
Books and manuscripts, 15 December 2022
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