Letter written on paper tape:[1]
C O P E N H A G E N JUNE 2, 1878 - - - MY DEAR B R O T H E R[2]. - - -SINCE TOMORROW IS YOUR BIRTHDAY PLEASE RECEIVE MY WARMEST AND MOST HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS: MAY YOUR DEAR HOME AND YOUR WORK BE BLESSED AND FILLED WITH HAPPINESS. ALL MY DEAR GIRLS AND MISS RÖNNE[3]SEND THEIR BEST CONGRATULATIONS. – THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LETTER, DEAR BROTHER: I AM VERY PLEASED TO HEAR THAT YOU LIKE MY TELEGRAPH PRINT. BY NOW I HAVE FOUR MACHINES READY FOR SHIPMENT TO PARIS[4]. THEY ALL DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER. MR DUCH WILL CARRY THEM, PROBABLY TRAVELLING ON WEDNESDAY. – I AM GRATEFUL TO YOU AND YOUR DEAR WIFE FOR GIVING ME THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY AT THE SAME TIME. – YOUR COMMENT ABOUT THE APPEARANCE OF THE LETTERS IS VERY MUCH CORRECT, THE MAIN THING IS DISTINCTNESS, HOWEVER THERE MUST BE BEAUTY AS WELL. AND I THINK IT WILL BE THAT WAY. WARMEST GREETINGS TO YOU AND YOUR DEAR WIFE FROM YOUR DEEPLY DEVOTED BROTHER.R. MALLING HANSEN
[1] SA: This letter was written on a writing ball for paper strips (paper tapes), especially developed for the world exhibitions in Paris 1878. It is smaller than the ordinary writing ball and is mounted on a round tripod. The Danish National Museum of Science and Technology in Helsingør has a specimen.
[2] SA: Since RMH is referring to the wife of the brother, also this letter must be directed to the brother Johan Frederik Hansen, because the other brother did not marry until 1886, a year after the their mother passed away. This also tallies with the fact that Johan Frederik Hansen was born on June 3 (1839).
[3] CB: The mother of the 7 daugthers passed away in 1875 while giving birth. I assume Miss Rønne is RMH’s housekeeper.
[4] CB: The World Exhibition in Paris at which RMH was awarded a gold medal. SA: According to this letter, RMH shipped 4 different writing balls to the world exhibition. From previous letters we know that RMH worked hard to have new models ready for this event in 1878. For the first time he exhibited the writing ball with a ribbon, as well as the smaller model that used paper strips or tapes, especially designed for telegraph stations. This letter was typed on paper strips, and consequently has been typed on this very recently designed machine.
- The patent drawing of the writing ball that writes on paper strips
- Photo of one of RMH's "ball writers"
