Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family
Title
Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family
Creator
Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958
Identifier
WWP23166
Date
1928 January 31
Description
Letter from Jon Bouman to his family.
Source
Gift of William C. and Evelina Suhler
Subject
Germany--History--1918-1933
Correspondence
Berlin, Germany
Contributor
Rachel Dark
Denise Montgomery
Language
English
Requires
PROOFREADING
Provenance
Evelina Suhler is the granddaughter of Jon Anthony Bouman and inherited the family collection of his letters from the years of World War I. She and her husband gave the letters to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum in 2013.
Text
28 Zimmerstrasse
Berlin, SW 68
Jan. 31, 1928
Dearest;
I am sending herewith the usual pound 45; the mail from New York which brings it – my cheque I mean – didn’t come in until yesterday, but you have sufficient in hand even if it comes a few days after the last of the month.
My colleague of the Hearst press, a Mr. Tolishus, was suddenly called back to New York, so he was very anxious for me to take over his flat which required 2 months’ notice. This unfortunately wasn’t the time, but I wanted to see the flat, to see what could be got for the money.
This was a bachelor’s flat, 2nd floor of four rooms, maid’s room, kitchen and bath, all very nicely furnished with roomy hall. Lift, Parquet floors, central heating, electricity, telephone. For this he paid a rent of 190 marks (shillings) per month plus 150 for the use of the furniture; (the former to the landlord and the latter to the party which sublet it to him) total 340. An elderly woman, sleeping in, looked after his meals and did all the work; she gets 60 per month. Heating cost about 25, electric light 17, gas (cooker) 10, and lift 5 marks (shillings) all per month. So you can compare how this works out. This woman served us a very nice lunch, and was according to T. very capable and honest. If you are lucky to get such a one, they are a treasure, for they certainly do work. The maids here in the Pension are also very hard worked, yet they are always cheerful and willing to oblige. They have been here 6 years.
In T’s flat there was a little cozy drawing room, fair sized dining room and fair sized study, which I first thought was the drawing room. This is what is called here the Herrenzimmer which every self-respecting flat has. With a large book case, an encyclopedia and a writing table. This gives an air of lofty and severe learnedness to the place.
The bedroom was large enough for 2 and then there was the maid’s bedroom, and a very nice bathroom &c. all on one floor. It was rather like the Emants’ Straat house as far as the general furnishing went, that style, you know, with the heavy curtains. But they are all right in the winter time. This also had double windows.
This flat was also farther away from the office than I wanted, but I am told by the secretary of the Foreign Press Association (to which I have been elected) that there will not be any difficulty to get rooms we want, at the price I am fortunately able to pay. I think I forgot to explain in Mrs. Spray’s case, she was looking for an empty flat which from all accounts are almost impossible to get.
I was pleased with his experience, as it gave me an idea what one could get; and I will gather more ideas as time goes on. The Press Association, will tell me when they hear of anything later.
I have been to see the Society of Friends about Mary and they are also on the look out. If nothing else offers, I had better close with the Schurholtzes. They are quite O.K. but naturally one would not object to consider any other opportunity, if offered.
Have just returned from a concert in celebration of the Schubert centenary; all Schubert music, very fine. At these concerts one sees the oddest samples of physog and figure. Goodness knows “As a beauty I am not a star; There are others more handsome by far”, but sometimes I am inclined to thank the Lord “I am not as one of these!” You will have plenty to amuse you by and by.
Weather keeps frosty day after day, and skating going on. One doesn’t seem to be able to hire skates, but I am often tempted. There never seems to be the damp feeling there is in England when everything feels sticky – I suppose the houses are too well warmed for that.
I kept this one open till I went to office Wednesday morning to see if there was anything from you. I found your letter from last Monday. Many thanks. Glad you have so many tokens of friendship.
Love to all,
Dac.
Berlin, SW 68
Jan. 31, 1928
Dearest;
I am sending herewith the usual pound 45; the mail from New York which brings it – my cheque I mean – didn’t come in until yesterday, but you have sufficient in hand even if it comes a few days after the last of the month.
My colleague of the Hearst press, a Mr. Tolishus, was suddenly called back to New York, so he was very anxious for me to take over his flat which required 2 months’ notice. This unfortunately wasn’t the time, but I wanted to see the flat, to see what could be got for the money.
This was a bachelor’s flat, 2nd floor of four rooms, maid’s room, kitchen and bath, all very nicely furnished with roomy hall. Lift, Parquet floors, central heating, electricity, telephone. For this he paid a rent of 190 marks (shillings) per month plus 150 for the use of the furniture; (the former to the landlord and the latter to the party which sublet it to him) total 340. An elderly woman, sleeping in, looked after his meals and did all the work; she gets 60 per month. Heating cost about 25, electric light 17, gas (cooker) 10, and lift 5 marks (shillings) all per month. So you can compare how this works out. This woman served us a very nice lunch, and was according to T. very capable and honest. If you are lucky to get such a one, they are a treasure, for they certainly do work. The maids here in the Pension are also very hard worked, yet they are always cheerful and willing to oblige. They have been here 6 years.
In T’s flat there was a little cozy drawing room, fair sized dining room and fair sized study, which I first thought was the drawing room. This is what is called here the Herrenzimmer which every self-respecting flat has. With a large book case, an encyclopedia and a writing table. This gives an air of lofty and severe learnedness to the place.
The bedroom was large enough for 2 and then there was the maid’s bedroom, and a very nice bathroom &c. all on one floor. It was rather like the Emants’ Straat house as far as the general furnishing went, that style, you know, with the heavy curtains. But they are all right in the winter time. This also had double windows.
This flat was also farther away from the office than I wanted, but I am told by the secretary of the Foreign Press Association (to which I have been elected) that there will not be any difficulty to get rooms we want, at the price I am fortunately able to pay. I think I forgot to explain in Mrs. Spray’s case, she was looking for an empty flat which from all accounts are almost impossible to get.
I was pleased with his experience, as it gave me an idea what one could get; and I will gather more ideas as time goes on. The Press Association, will tell me when they hear of anything later.
I have been to see the Society of Friends about Mary and they are also on the look out. If nothing else offers, I had better close with the Schurholtzes. They are quite O.K. but naturally one would not object to consider any other opportunity, if offered.
Have just returned from a concert in celebration of the Schubert centenary; all Schubert music, very fine. At these concerts one sees the oddest samples of physog and figure. Goodness knows “As a beauty I am not a star; There are others more handsome by far”, but sometimes I am inclined to thank the Lord “I am not as one of these!” You will have plenty to amuse you by and by.
Weather keeps frosty day after day, and skating going on. One doesn’t seem to be able to hire skates, but I am often tempted. There never seems to be the damp feeling there is in England when everything feels sticky – I suppose the houses are too well warmed for that.
I kept this one open till I went to office Wednesday morning to see if there was anything from you. I found your letter from last Monday. Many thanks. Glad you have so many tokens of friendship.
Love to all,
Dac.
Original Format
Letter
To
Bouman Family
Files
Collection
Citation
Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958, “Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family,” 1928 January 31, WWP23166, Jon Anthony Bouman Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.