1886.04.17 English

[1] CB: This handwritten letter from RMH to Erik Ritzau was found by Sverre in the collection of manuscripts of the Royal Library. It was written – as usual – in great haste and, judging by the degree of illegibility, also after some consumption of alcohol! The letter seems to indicate two things: 1) That RMH had enormous financial problems. He has borrowed money several times from his best friend Ritzau – and the 450 kroner referred to in this letter is probably tantamount to a yearly salary – even for a director? The letter also shows that RMH was so much ‘on the rocks’ – impecunious – that he couldn’t even afford to own his own writing ball!

[2] SA: Ritzau and RMH were also business partners. Ritzau had invested in the writing ball and also sold writing balls  through his company. They shared the profits – but I don’t know on which percentage proportion base they did so. Hence, they had a joint business account.

[3] CB: Withdrawal? (Danish: ‘Hævning’). I wonder with what frequency salaries were paid at the time? Might he be referring to the payment of salaries?
SA: It could possibly refer to an arrangement by Ritzau and RMH with fix dates for withdrawal of profits from their joint business. However, I suspect the investment by Ritzau was more of a friendly turn, rather than being motivated by strict business and profit considerations. He could hardly have made any big profits on the writing ball.