Antique 1852 German Luther Bible Die Bibel & Victorian Ephemera Letters

Description

Antique mid 19th century Victorian era German language Luther Bible and ephemera attributed to CW Klemm. Includes a variety of ephemera including pressed plants, newspaper clippings, and 9 letters from 1845, 1855, 1857, 1861, 1862, 1872, 1873, and 1909 (see translations below). Die Bibel oder Die ganze Heilige Schriff des alten und neuen Testaments nach Dr. Martin Luthers Ueberfekung (The Bible or the Whole Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments according to Dr. Martin Luther's Translation) / Siebenzehnte Eisen - Stereotyp - Uusgabe (Seventeenth Iron - Sterotype - Edition) / Nordhausen / Drud und Berlag von Z.G. Muller (Printed and Published by Z.G. Muller) / 1852. Hard back / leather bound cardboard cover.

C.W. Klemm (1845-1930)
Carl Wilhelm (C.W.) Klemm was born on May 1, 1845, in Haynrode, Saxony, Germany.
His grandfather sold Brazilian coffee, and his father was a dry goods merchant. Klemm had two
brothers: Julius, who worked in the lumber business, and Robert, who was a lawyer. When he
was fifteen, Klemm began working as an apprentice clerk in Potsdam, Germany. At twenty, he
started a clerk job for three years before moving to the United States to further his business
career.

Klemm arrived in New York City in 1868. Shortly after his arrive, he was offered a job
by his cousin, C.A. Gehrman, who owned a store in Springfield, Illinois. Klemm accepted the
offer and worked there for five years, earning $5 a week. But he wanted more. In 1873, Klemm
decided to move to Bloomington, Illinois, a growing town with more opportunities. He opened a
dry goods and millinery store at 107 West Jefferson Street that winter. He lived above the store
and ate at a local hotel to save money.

His business grew rapidly, and by 1883, Klemm expanded by renting the second floor of
his building. In 1890, he bought the building next door, and by 1895, he expanded again. His
store became one of the most successful businesses in Central Illinois, employing over 200
people.

Klemm was known for his hard work and honesty. He paid his bills quickly to get
discounts and always made sure customers were satisfied. He believed in selling only good,
honest products. Klemm rarely traveled, except to buy new merchandise in New York. His
employees admired him so much that they sent him roses every year on his birthday, and in
1920, they presented him with a silver cup to honor his work.

He was also very involved in the community, serving on boards for local organizations,
including the Bloomington Loan and Homestead Association, Third and First National Banks,
the Withers Public Library, and Brokaw Hospital. He also supported charities and served as a
trustee for the Unitarian Church.

In 1874, Klemm married Augusta Seibel, and they had three children: Helene, Clara, and
Carl H. Klemm believed in education and encouraged his children to take music lessons and read
good books. Every Sunday, the family would enjoy nature after church. Tragically, his wife
Augusta died in a terrible accident at their home in 1886. She suffered burns from a gas
explosion while Klemm was in New York. After her death, Klemm married Emelie Bender in
1889, and they had one son, Julius.

Klemm faced more hardships, including the Downtown Bloomington Fire of 1900, which
destroyed his store. However, he quickly rebuilt his business and was back up and running within
seven months. His store celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1923. Klemm's business survived three
economic downturns, but the Great Depression in 1930 hit his store hard, the same year he
passed away.

C.W. Klemm died on February 23, 1930, after two weeks of illness. He continued
working at his store right up until his death. He was buried next to his second wife, Emelie, at
Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. His store continued to operate for many years after his death but
eventually closed in 1981.

Translation of the letters:

1845
this is a very formally worded letter by Karl Klemm to the merchant Wilhelm Sauer (“dear father”, maybe father in law?) to request or invite him to be godfather of his newly born son (on the 1st of this month), during his christening ceremony on the second day of Pentecost. Pentecost was on the 12th of May in that year, so assuming we’re talking about Carl from all the other letters, that means he was born on 1st May 1845. That would make him 10 for the birthday poem, 16 at the start of his apprenticeship in 1861, 27 for his letter from America, 64 at the “my wish” letter from his cousin.

1855
“To [your] birthday”
– a long happy birthday poem from a son to his father –
Karl Wilhelm Klemm
Haynrode, the 5th of January 1855

1857
To the merchant C.F. Klemm
–well-born–
in Hainrode¹
near Breitenworbis¹

To my and my
Our dear parents!

– just a random checking-in letter from two brothers in the „next big town“ of Nordhausen² to the father. Lessons are expensive, he’s thinking about doing less of them, here’s what I’m doing this week, next week I’m planning to do that, is that alright with you? Tell mom and grandma not to worry about our food, etc –
Nordhausen, 20th June 1857,
your sons Julius and Karl

P.S. Note that Nordhausen didn’t have a university at that time, the letter is quite sloppily written, so they’re probably not that old yet. Maybe they’re in a boarding school situation (if their local village doesn’t have the equivalent of a high school), or at least the older brother is doing an apprenticeship? 

1861
This is a formal apprenticeship contract between the merchant Oscar Wimmer of Nordhausen and the merchant C.F. Klemm in “Heinrode” (same place, different spelling), on behalf of the latter’s son, whose name curiously enough is not mentioned once.

It seems to be pretty standard otherwise, Oscar Wimmer agrees to train “the son of Mr. C.F. Klemm” for 3.5 years, from October 1861 to 1865, in his textile and fashion shop, and give him board and lodging during that time. The son agrees to do what he is told, etc. And the father also agrees to pay Mr. Wimmer the amount of 150 Taler as apprentice’s premium, the first half at the beginning and the second half at the end of the term.

The last part is the receipt, where Wimmer attests that he received the first 75 Taler on 18th February 1862

1862 with seal
To Mr. C.F. Klemm
Haynrode
near Breitenworbis

from Karl in Nordhausen, 13th November 1862

Dear parents!

– he apologizes that he can’t make it to the parish fair, he also invited his two uncles Karl and Friedrich (I wouldn’t be surprised if his father, C.F., is Carl Friedrich – those name, along with Wilhelm, were incredibly popular at that time), but he thinks they won’t make it either, due to various ailments.
Then it’s again an account of what he’s been up to, he asks them to send him various things, clothes, a bit of money.
As an aside he mentions Julius again, who seems to be in a similar if not the same trade as him and the parents (textile work seems to have been big in the region)
The whole last page is a long winded PS where he also mentions his chronic pain in his hands. He either has to go to the doctor again, or his parents should send him some salve or ointment. (interesting side note: he signs the main letter with “Carl”, but the PS with “Karl”. Just shows how non-standardised orthography worked at that time)

1872
from Springfield, IL
Office of C.A. Gehrmann

to Julius Klemm
c/o Miss Ida [Jödecke?]
Bäckerstraße
Nordhausen, North Germany

from Carl to his brother Julius, written July 1st 1872

– Carl emigrated to the US, but they’re still in regular contact with each other (he mentions multiple “in your last letter”, “as I’ve told you”, etc). He’s currently working for “uncle Gehrmann”, who seems to be doing quite well (there’s a Gehrmann Park in Springfield, is that the same one?). He doesn’t know where Julius got the idea he could be made partner though, he never spoke with his uncle about that. But he’s planning on setting up his own shop soon, and since “A. Gehrmann” has made $10,000 in the last four years, and “C. Gehrmann” has doubled his wealth in the same time, he’s quite optimistic about it. Currently he’s looking for locations maybe in Bloomington or Peoria.

It seems that Julius is thinking about emigrating as well, so half of the letter is a detailed account on how much money he could earn in a specific amount of time. But if he decides to come, he should do so by April of next year (1873)
Ida might be Julius’ fiancée, not sure on that. –

As for the coat of arms, with the crown it seems to be German, but it’s nothing obvious and I don’t recognise it off the top of my head. It might very well just be the brand of these Gehrmann (brothers?).

1873
January 14th from Carl in Springfield to Julius in Hainrode

This one is a bit hard to read, because it seems to be written with a pencil and it’s pretty faded.

He starts with thanks for the letters he got in December, exchanging best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, and asking lots of questions how people are doing at home. He himself is making plans, a business trip to New York in May, he’s thinking about hiring a housekeeper for himself. Uncle Gehrmann would like to keep him working there, but he understands that it’s better for him if he moves on. Uncle Gehrmann’s son is getting healthy again. Apparently Julius has married by now.
He’s greeting everyone back home.

At the end, he signs the letter with “your old bachelor, C.W. Klemm”

1909
February 18

From C.A. Gehrmann, Springfield, IL

to C.W. Klemm, Bloomington, IL

“My Wish”

“Give me a place in the shade of trees
Where near a clear spring is flowing
Where a warm breeze is wafting on my face
…
This is my wish, will it come true?
Of course the real future is still shrouded in darkness.”

– This is a long soliloquy type poem or poetic work anyway, imagining a peaceful place without hard labour and struggle. –

“As a memory for my Cousin C.W. Klemm,
from C.A. Gehrmann, Springfield, February 17 1909”

The last page is actually a letter in English.

“Dear Cousin Klemm, I re-
ceived your little note, pleased
you liked my Tribut to the
………, it created considerable
surprise how …… the sum burst
end of it. To preserve for re-
memberance I have composed for
you a short little wish, this
you may lay aside. Some-
times it will bring to you
thoughts of love and remembrance
for your cousin
C.A. Gehrmann”

Condition

Fair Condition - Peeling/discoloration to covers; gentle wear/discoloration to pages; writing inside covers, fly leaf, and page edges

Dimensions

5" x 3" x 7.75" (Width x Depth x Height)