Letter from Carl Brants to W. J. Sekera (1866)

NRA-L-000028 / 1866

Letter from Carl Brants to W. J. Sekera, 1866-02-26

German professional correspondence from pharmacist Carl Brants in Vienna to W. J. Sekera, pharmacist in Münchengrätz, dated 26 February 1866. The letter concerns delayed correspondence, professional obligations and an association's opinion on Sekera's manuscript. The folded address side bears Vienna and Münchengrätz postal markings.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000028

NRA-L-000028 image 1 showing the address to W. J. Sekera, pharmacist in Muenchengraetz, with Austrian postage and postal markings. — **Image 1**Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000028 image 2 showing the upper section of page 1 of Carl Brants's German letter from Vienna, dated 26 February 1866. — **Image 2**Letter text - Page 1, upper section.

NRA-L-000028 image 3 showing the lower section of page 1 of Carl Brants's German letter concerning professional correspondence and a manuscript. — **Image 3**Letter text - Page 1, lower section.

NRA-L-000028 image 4 showing page 2 and the signed closing of Carl Brants's German letter dated 26 February 1866. — **Image 4**Letter text - Page 2 and signature.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000028
Date: 1866-02-26
Original date: Wien d. 26. Febr. 1866 / 26 February 1866
Type: Letter
Language: German / de
Sender: Carl Brants, pharmacist, Vienna
Recipient: W. J. Sekera, pharmacist, Münchengrätz
Places: Vienna, Austrian Empire / Münchengrätz / Mnichovo Hradiště, Bohemia, Austrian Empire
Extent: 4 web-resolution images; address panel, upper and lower overlapping captures of page 1, and page 2 with signature
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000028.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address Panel

Original transcript

S. Wohlgeboren
Herrn W. J. Sekera
p. t. Apotheker & c.
zu
Münchengrätz

Address Panel

English translation

To His Well-Born
Mr. W. J. Sekera
p. t. apothecary, etc.
in
Münchengrätz

Letter Text - Page 1

Original transcript

[Embossed letterhead:]
CARL BRANTS
APOTHEKER.

Wien d. 26. Febr. 1866.

Mein lieber Herr College!

Ihr letztes Schreiben vom 23. Febr. ist der Ausdruck
eines gekränkten und durch mein Nichtschreiben beleidig=
ten Collegens, was ich um so mehr bedauern müßte,
da es gewiß nicht meine Sache, gegen irgend Jemanden
nicht collegial zu handeln, noch viel weniger einen
alten verdienstvollen Collegen nicht zu achten. Sie
müssen aber auch gerecht seyn und meine Verhältnisse
betrachten: ich habe ein großes Geschäft, bin Gremial=
Vorstand, Gemeinderath und Schulaufseher und habe
so viel zu thun, daß mir factisch die Zeit zu kurz
wird und da lasse ich mich im Beantworten der Briefe
unterstützen, was hier um so angezeigter war, weil
der Verein sein Urtheil über Ihr Manuscript abzu=
geben hatte. Ich habe den Brief nicht gelesen, erwarte
aber nicht, daß er nur im Entferntesten unartig wäre,
wo ich dann gleich um die Einsendung ersuchen müßte,
denn ich dulde dem H. Redacteur nicht das Geringste
und verlange auch von ihm nichts Unrechtes.

Letter Text - Page 1

English translation

[Embossed letterhead:]
CARL BRANTS, PHARMACIST.
APOTHECARY.
Vienna, 26 February 1866
My dear colleague!
Your last letter of 23 February is the expression of a colleague hurt and offended because I did not write. I should have to regret this all the more since it is certainly not my way to behave in an uncollegial manner towards anyone, still less to fail to respect an old and deserving colleague.
But you must also be fair and consider my circumstances: I have a large business, I am head of the guild, a local councillor and school inspector, and I have so much to do that I quite literally run short of time. I therefore have others assist me in answering letters, which was all the more appropriate here because the association had to give its opinion on your manuscript.
I have not read the letter, but I cannot imagine that it was even remotely discourteous. If it was, I should have to ask you to send it to me at once, for I will not tolerate the slightest impropriety from Mr Editor, just as I require nothing improper of him.

Letter Text - Page 2

Original transcript

Indem ich auf diese meine Aeußerung erwarte,
daß Ihr Unwille gegen mich verschwinden wird,
lege ich Ihnen meine Photographie bey, damit
Sie stets das Bild eines ehrenhaften und festen
Charakters, den nichts in der Welt ändert,
vor sich haben.

Nun leben Sie recht wohl, sind Sie mir
herzlich gegrüßt und nehmen Sie die Ver=
sicherung meiner aufrichtigsten Collegialität

als
Ihr
Freund C. Brants mp.

Letter Text - Page 2

English translation

I expect that, after this explanation, your displeasure with me will disappear, and I enclose my photograph so that you may always have before you the image of an honourable and steadfast character whom nothing in the world can change.
Now fare very well, accept my heartfelt greetings and the assurance of my most sincere collegiality.
as your friend,
C. Brants, in his own hand

Notes

The closing abbreviation mp. represents manu propria, indicating that the signature is in the sender's own hand.

Discovery Terms

Historical correspondence
Professional correspondence
Pharmacists
Collegial relations
Professional associations
Manuscript review
Photographic portrait exchange
German language

Transcriptions and English translations are provided as working scholarly aids, not as replacements for the images of the original documents. Some readings may remain uncertain, especially where handwriting, spelling, damage, abbreviations, names or places are difficult.

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