1878.06.01 English
Letter typed on paper tape (or strip)[1]
[2]A MACHINE OF THIS PECULIAR FEATURE WILL BE PARTICULARLY USEFUL FOR TELEGRAPHY, BUT IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT IT WILL BECOME HANDY IN A VARIETY OF AREAS. IT IS VERY SMALL AND FUNCTIONS IN AN IMMENSELY ELEGANT, QUICK, EASY AND RELIABLE MANNER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND LETTER. IT PLEASED ME A LOT. I AM LONGING VERY MUCH TO MEET YOU AND YOUR DEAR WIFE, BUT IT IS DOUBTFUL WHETHER I CAN FIND THE TIME TO TRAVEL OVER THERE. IT IS PROBABLY EASIER FOR THE TWO OF YOU TO COME TO TOWN. – THE YOUNG MAN WHO IS TO DEMONSTRATE THE MACHINES AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION HAS ARRIVED AND HE AMAZES ME BY THE IMMENSE SPEED AND SKILL WITH WHICH HE DEALS WITH THE MACHINE, MUCH BETTER THAN I CAN DO IT. HOW MANY YARDS OF LETTERS[3] HAVE YOU RECEIVED BY NOW? WARMEST GREETINGS TO YOU AND YOUR DEAR WIFE FROM YOUR DEEPLY DEVOTED BROTHER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW. R. MALLING HANSEN
[1] SA: This letter was written on a writing ball featuring paper tapes, especially developed for the World Exhibition in 1878. It is smaller than the usual writing balls and is mounted on a round tripod. The Danish National Museum of Science and Technology at Elsinore (Helsingør) has a specimen. The letter is one of extremely few letters addressed to Malling-Hansen’s brother Johan Frederik Hansen that we know of. I build this assumption on the fact that RMH mentions his wife in the letter, and the other brother, Thomas Jørgen Hansen, was not married at the time.
[2] CA and SA: The initial part of the letter is missing – this is the reason why this letter is not dated. We have two other paper tape letters – 18780602 and 18780615 – and one of those refer to the world exhibition in Paris in 1878, at which RMH showed a total of 2 different models of the writing ball. Hence we have assessed this letter to be written around June 1, 1878 (JMC: or possibly sometimes during May 1878, because the letter from RMH to the same brother dated 18780602 seems to be a reaction to a letter that Johan Frederik sent to RMH with his comments concerning this letter)
[3] CB: Presumably the entire letter consists of a single long strip or tape, sent by RMH in an envelope?
- RMH's brother, Johan Frederik Hansen. Photo: Private
- Johan Frederik Hansen's wife, Nielsine Jeppesen. Photo: Private
- Their children, Jørgen and Juliane. Photo: Private
- 1878 model - writing ball for paper strips. Photo: Sverre Avnskog
- 1878 model - writing ball with colour ribbon. Photo: Auction Team Köln
- The paperstrip. Photo: Toward the Light publisher
