Direct family

Carlo Seilern 1866 - 1940

Carlo Seilern died aged 73 when I was 4 years old. For those interested, I suggest 'Some Seilern Memoirs' by Jossleyn Hennessy, Carlo's nephew and Paps' only first cousin.

This following incomplete biography covers events starting at the end of the 19th Century when Carlo married Antoinette (Nettie) Woerishoffer (1875-1901).

They had 3 sons (Karl Hugo, Oswald and Antoine). Nettie died in 1901 a few days after having given birth to Antoine.

The various letters and press clippings that follow need to be taken in their historical context. It is difficult to judge late 19th Century behavior through 21st Century eyes.

I have asked certain people for their impressions. Here are their answers:

impressions32 Carlo was a gentleman brought up differently. Whereas the UK aristocracy had evolved strong business links from the 18th century, Continental nobility acquired riches by any way other than commerce, crafts and trades or banking. Indeed, if they were found out to work in business they would lose their noble quality. The French had a word for this: dérogeance (sous l’Ancien Régime, pour un noble, perdre les privilèges de son rang par l’exercice de certaines activités). Small wonder Carlo treated his wife‘s millions like chips on a gaming table.

Carlo stuck to established tradition when he dabbled in speculation with Nettie‘s dollars.

Of course, he must also have been aware that Nettie belonged to a new volatile world that did not conform to his clumsy landed-property standards and required a far shrewder business ethic.

impressions33 What is more, in the eyes of polite European society, he was a bit of a fortune hunter - more envied than despised. And Nettie does not seem to have taken his foray into her finances altogether amiss.

Another point is the similarity between the Carlo S./Antoinette W. wedding in 1898 and that of Alfi Auersperg to Sunny Crawford in 1957.

Both girls were American heiresses and both young men were impoverished Austrian aristocrats with little formal education.

Tragically both girls were struck down when they were still young.

Not detailed in these pages is the voluminous Carlo Seilern/Anna Woerishoffer correspondence between 1900 and 1930 which provides an account of how matters developed over time. It can be found under Archives.

There follows a variety of press clipping, letters and other documents. In chronological order but incomplete.

Along came Carlo and .......

New York Journal Feb. 13, 1898

Count Charles Seilern, during his stay of three weeks here prior to his marriage with Miss Antoinette Woerishoffer, was located at the Savoy. Last Monday night there was a wedding rehearsal and after this he gave a farewell bachelor dinner at the hotel.

At this dinner he entertained the bride and her attendants as well as the ushers and a few outsiders.

His souvenirs for the ushers were solid gold cigarette cases, with his coat of arms, name and date, embossed upon them.

At the wedding on Thursday the Count looked extremely well. He wears a small moustache. His hair is very dark, and his complexion unusually clear. This he is said to have inherited from his mother, as well as his straight features, she having been a noted beauty.

Prior to her marriage she was Countess Zaluska, of an old Polish family. The family estates, and there are said to be some, will not devolve to Count Charles Seilern, for though he is an only son, his father, Hugo Seilern of Austria, is a younger son.

Neither is Count Charles Seilern a member of the London Stock Exchange, as was frequently stated. He is simply actively engaged in business in the British metropolis, where he has been for the past six years.

Count Charles Seilern expatiated on these facts with much frankness. As all foreigners do, who carry off our heiresses, he expressed himself as thoroughly charmed with America; so much so, that he positively did no propose to return to the other side until he had a glimpse of a good bit of the country.

With this project in view he and his bride are on their way for an extended bridal tour. They will tarry at any number of big places, including Chicago, New Orleans and San Francisco.

In April they are to come back to New York and sail from here for England.

The church wedding of the couple on Thursday came very near being an impressive event. The bridal procession simply lacked numerical strength.

The four bridesmaids came down the aisle to meet the bride, and if there had been a dozen, rather than four, the sight would have been a pretty one.

Their white walking costumes were relieved with a dash of red, and red hats, each with the souvenir diamond sunburst at the side.

The bride wore a far and away finer gown than has been seen here for months.

It was trimmed with a profusion of fine lace and pearls and beautifully embroidered. The only piece of jewellery she wore was a small diamond sunburst.

Like most of the men of title who have been married here of late years, Count Charles Seilern is smaller than his bride.

The magnificent presents received, such as the costly rugs, paintings, clocks, lamps and bric-a-brac, will go far to embellish the new London home of the couple.

For instance, they can give a dinner of sixteen covers one night and be served only on and from solid gold.

The next night they can use only silver. Both of these large services, with all the small ware to match, were in the big box, more than two yards long, which was one of the gifts of the bride's grandfather, Oswald Ottendorfer.

If you haven’t money of you own, marry someone who has. That is the motto of all titled foreigners, and it seems to work admirably in America.

Cholly Knickerbocker.

Note: Cholly Knickerbocker, pseudonym of a series of society and gossip columnists, especially those who wrote for the New York American and its successor, the New York Journal-American.

Carlo Seilern

Selected correspondence 1898 - 1939

(mostly translated)

Lewis Cass Ledyard to Anna Woerishoffer,21st June 1898

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer, 2nd July 1899

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer, 8th September 1899

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer, 20th October 1899

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer, 24th November 1899

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer, 4th November 1901

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer, 21st January 1902

Carlo Seilern to Mr. Bauer, 9th August 1906

Lee & Pemberton to Carter Ledyard (??), 27th June 1907

Lee & Pembertons to Anna W., 16th September 1907

Cert. of Naturalization (Revocation) Committee, 9th May 1921

Carlo Seilern to his sons, 29 November 1939

Charles Hugo Seilern Pedigree tree

More than 2’000 letters, documents, etc. were found in the trunk left to Uncle Antoine by his grandmother Anna Woerishoffer. Of these

326 letters from Carlo S.   to AW
29 “   CHS       “
57 “   Antoine S. “
14 “   Oswald “

The rest was from friends, family, lawyers, bankers, and included invitations, postcards, bank statements, faire parts, etc.
See Family > Index to Correspondence.

Lewis Cass Ledyard to Anna Woerishoffer 21st June 1898

AW‘s husband Charles F. Woerishoffer died 12 years earlier in 1886. She was 48 years old at the time and her assets were probably held in accounts at the US Trust Co. of NY.

Lewis Cass Ledyard was a senior partner of Carter Ledyard and counsel to the US Trust Co. of NY. As well as AW’s lawyer and friend.

The letter was written when Carlo Seilern and Antoinette Woerishoffer had been married barely 4 months. Carlo was 32 at the time and Antoinette (Nettie) 22.

$1 in 1898 would be worth $31.38 in 2021 and $1'000'000 around $31‘380'000.

CARTER & LEDYARD
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
54 WALL STREET

JAMES C. CARTER.
LEWIS CASS LEDYARD.
EDMUND L. BAYLIES.
GEORGE A. MILLER.

New York June 21st, 1898

Dear Mrs. Woerishoffer:

I have just had a talk with Mr. Renner which has occasioned me very serious anxiety on Nettle’s account.

Renner himself has been very much troubled in his mind and has been on the point of writing you several times but then doubts would come as to what his duty was, and he finally determined to lay the whole matter before me.

It seems that some time ago Count Seilern wrote to him and said that he and Nettie would like to open an account with the firm for trading in stocks, and Renner told him that they always required a ten per cent. margin. Renner did not then suppose that the Count had any idea of dealing extensively, and he had no reason to suppose that you and Nettie were ignorant of the proposed business.

I understand that the business commenced just before you arrived at Cherbourg. At first the transactions were moderate, consisting of one or two thousand shares, but soon they ran up into large amounts, until finally they had bought by the Count’s order, and were carrying for him thirteen thousand shares of stock, and still the Count insisted on further purchases to the extent of three thousand shares, which however, the firm declined to make, by reason of lack of margin.

The thirteen thousand shares represented transactions amounting to nearly a million of dollars and had the additional three thousand been purchased the Count would have considerably exceeded a million.

The amount which they are now carrying for him is nine thousand six hundred shares, and they hold as margin about $45,000.

The margin which the Count put up consisted of the $50,000 Northern Pacific Bonds in which, as I understand, the wedding present from Mr. Ottendorfer to Nettie was invested. Of these bonds they have sold $26,000 by the Count’s order.

Taking the transactions from the beginning, the account stands about square. The losses have perhaps slightly exceeded the profits, but probably not more than about $5000. They have called on the Count for additional margin, and he has told them that he expected shortly to be able to give them $25,000.

While I don't know it, I suppose that the way in which he expected to get the $25,000 was this: When Nettie went away I gave her all the income which had accumulated upon her trust during the year succeeding her attaining her majority, except $30,000 which the trustees had invested in a mortgage. This $30,000 mortgage, representing income belonged to her and was not subject to the trust. Some ten days ago I received a letter from her asking if she could not have this $30,000 mortgage turned into money and the amount deposited to her credit in the Bank of New York, which has been done and I suppose, though as I say I do not know it, that this fund will furnish the $25,OOO additional margin which the Count expects to put up.

Even this would not justify further purchases, as it would no more than suffice to make the present margin for the account what it ought to be.

I must say that I have learned these facts with very great regret. Count Seilern can have had, necessarily, very little experience of his own in such transactions, and it seems to me very clear that Nettie's fortune ought not to be exposed to such a risk. For years you and I have labored to get it invested and keep it invested, with safety as our first object, and I must say it has given me a shock to find that now, almost immediately after her marriage, it is being hazarded in Wall Street speculations. You know and I know how such things usually turn out. We know that ninety-five per cent. of the people who go into Wall Street lose everything in the end. I should not feel so strongly about it if these speculations had been carried on only to a moderate extent, although even then I should consider Count Seilern very much to blame for using his wife’s money in this way but when he plunges into speculation to the amount of a million of dollars, it becomes a thing for which there can be no possible excuse.

It makes me wonder whether Nettie herself knows what is going on, or at least the extent to which the thing is being carried. I am quite sure it must have been without your knowledge. And now, as to what is to be done about it, I hardly know. I suppose, from what Renner says, he will decline to execute orders for which proper margin is not put up, and yet he understands from Count Seilern’s letter to him, which he says is very clear, that the transactions are being carried on, not only for the account of the husband but of Nettie herself. She has always seemed to me so wise and possessed of so much real good sense that I find it difficult to believe that she knows or appreciates the magnitude of these transactions or their speculative character.

I am very much afraid this will come to you as a good deal of a blow. I wish I could spare you, but, on fu1lest consideration, it has seemed to me my duty to tell you about it. What gives me the most concern is, the light it throws on Count Seilern's character. You and Nettie have treated him with the utmost generosity; but for that he would have nothing of his own, and I should have thought that the way in which he has been cared for and the generosity which has been shown him would have made him regard Nettie's own fortune as a thing which was to be kept sacred from the inroads of any of his speculations. And then, too, the impression it makes upon me of his strength of character and his conservatism is most unfortunate. So sudden and quick a yielding to temptation to what I cannot but regard as wild speculation for a man in his circumstances, a thing so opposed to all his previous life, habits and opportunities, makes me feel that there is very real ground for fear for the future.

You will know with how much reluctance I lay this burden upon you. I hardly know how the matter should be dealt with. Renner has told me about it because he felt himself under the strongest duty to do so, yet I do not doubt that his action in giving me the information will offend Count Seilern very greatly. I in turn am telling you about it, and while I do not at all care what he thinks of my action, I do care very much about Nettie. I am very fond of her, and I would be very slow to do anything that she might regard as an unwarrantable interference with her affairs, but t do not think the importance and seriousness of this matter can well be exaggerated. Then again, there is yourself, and I do not at all know how Nettie would regard any interference by you. Sensible as she is she is very devoted to her husband, and 1 am afraid she may resent any criticism of him. This of course would depend a good deal on whether she is aware of the operations in which he has engaged. If he has kept her in ignorance of them the consequences of bringing them to her notice might be very serious as to her relations with him. The fact that he had shown so little proper sense of her interests and had concealed from her his operations, would be a great shock to her and would terribly shake her confidence in him and her respect for him, and this is a thing which is to be avoided by all means, if possible.

Of course there is a possibility, though it seems to me extremely improbable, that Nettie herself may know all about it. But that seems so foreign to her character and so unlike her usual good sense that I can hardly believe it.

Perhaps, under all these circumstances, and looking at the dangers which accompany any given course of action, it might be wiser for you to speak to him, in the first instance, and you might thus learn whether Nettie is aware of what he has been doing or not. I confess I am very' much puzzled to know whether she has this knowledge, for if he had intended her to be kept in ignorance, his selection of Woerishoffer & Co. as the brokers to handle his account is inexplicable•

You may think that I am attaching too much importance to the whole matter. I do not. I have seen so much unhappiness and misery and so many failures, and so much ruin come from speculations in Wa11 Street that it seems to me difficult to exaggerate the seriousness of the situation, when you find a young fellow like Seilern, who has never before had any experience, who has never had any money or been accustomed to the use of any, immediately upon his marriage to a very rich girl, plunging into speculation involving the carrying of securities of a million dollars, and only deterred from incurring further risk by the refusal of brokers to increase the amount without additional margin being furnished . It has made me very anxious and I wish when you receive this letter you would send me a line by cable, for there may be some possible explanation which has not occurred to me, but is known to you, and which might make it seem less serious. I shall look for the word from you with a good deal of eagerness

I expect to leave for a short visit in Europe about the beginning of August and I hope I have the good fortune to meet you there.

Ever sincerely yours,

Signed Lewis Cass Ledyard

I enclose two letters from Nettie, which please return to me. From the way in which she speaks of keeping the Northern Pacific bonds and buying the house etc. I can hardly think she understands or knows of these other matters -

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer 2nd July 1899

Index no. 1899/07/02 Translated

2nd July 1899
Mrs. Woerishoffer
Hotel Alleesaal
Langenschwalbbach
Taunus
Germany

Stratford Place, W.

Dear Mama,

Frankly, your whole behavior in the Catholic marriage affair surprised me as much as it hurt me. Astonished because all the arguments you put forward in defense of your points of view are on the one hand not valid and on the other hand do not correspond to the facts at all, because you do not appreciate my point of view as well as the understandable religious sensitivity of my mother and my family - although recently I do not have the balance - not the slightest consideration. -

You cannot possibly seriously believe that I had ever had any doubts about the absolute legality of my marriage. If I had had those, I would have pronounced them and acted accordingly. Nor has anyone in my family expressed such doubts. I consider a purely civil marriage to be as binding, legal and sacred as an ecclesiastical one, because it is not the priestly blessing but the simple mutual consensus that imposes on marriage its sacramental character. The Catholic wedding as I wanted it would be a mere formality. I wished the same in Nettie's interest, to ensure her good relations with my family by eliminating a delicate issue, and furthermore I wished the same, to give my mother satisfaction.

My mother was never consulted or questioned and acted against her detailed wishes. She even wanted to write you about it for Christmas, but I stopped her because I had to learn from your telegrams and letters that Nettie would agree to a Catholic wedding, but that she would be beside herself about it. Since then, Nettie himself has taught me that I am aware of the ? She had been completely mistaken about the demands of the Catholic Churches regarding mixed marriages. No Catholic clergyman has the right to refuse the wedding if the non-Catholic part issues the so-called lapel (???), i.e. undertakes to have the children raised in the Catholic religion and not to interfere with the other spouse in the exercise of his or her religious duties. Archbishop Cunigan does not have the right either.

After you had expressed your wish to me in a letter, which had amazed me very much, that children from our marriage should be brought up in Nettie's religion, I naturally found myself believing that this was Nettie's wish and that the mentioned lapels did not want to sign. So by getting into a Protestant wedding - which I believe without P... Ung? - agreed that I was mainly to satisfy Nettie, hoping to prove that I was not guided by narrow-minded and intolerant principles.

I am aware that I have acted correctly and tactfully in the whole matter. My mother's behavior was also absolutely correct, and it will not occur to her as much as I do to want to influence Nettie's religious views. - Nettie did not know about a lapel and explained to me on the first day of our marriage of his own free will that if I wished, our children should be brought up in the Catholic religion.

In New York, I personally asked Mr. Ledyard about the steps and he agreed with me that a Catholic wedding would have been possible with a lapel, as the case of his niece and other mixed marriages in America showed.

Cardinal Vaughan, who is an enlightened, mild-minded minister, has thought deeply about my case and fully endorsed my position. As I telegraphed to you, he immediately explained to me that my marriage was absolutely valid and that a Catholic wedding was not necessary. The legality concerns are therefore completely eliminated and I must therefore assume that I am faced with absolutely narrow-minded and intolerant principles, as they are more common in the Protestant religion as in Catholic ones.

The religious question itself plays a subordinate role in my principles and views. I respect my religion, but I haven't practiced it for years because I couldn't reconcile it with my conscience. So... But there are moments in life like I do not forget that as a bearer of an old Catholic name I have certain considerations and obligations.- The whole affair is so embarrassing and unpleasant to me that I can only wish that it will be buried quite soon. Nettie is very unhappy about this and I am afraid that you have been far more upset than was really necessary. It was not something to be taken and treated sentimentally, but with cold reason and logic. I very much regret your allusion to the Paris incident and I can only repeat to you that I will always like to hear your view and advice in all matters of life, because I respect your wishes, as well as your experience and knowledge to the same extent, only it must be done at the right time and in the right way.

I wish and hope that you will not accept my wholehearted, perhaps somewhat brusque frankness. I believe that when you speak out, you have to do it properly. By the way, it corresponds to my nature.

Mr. Renner? Do you obviously need other information about Mr. U.? have given than to me. I myself have absolute confidence in him in view of his long-standing friendship with you.

Unfortunately, this is not enough for my business friends and it is therefore very regrettable that Mr. U:? generally has the reputation that you have to be very careful with him and not only because of his optimism.

On the 10th we are allowed to leave here and after only one or 2 days in O.. land? delayed..... on 13. Oder 14. In Schwalbach. However, I can't stay any longer than for hours, because I want to go to Vienna to get my uniforms and military. Equipment to get what I can take 2 or 3 days. Afterwards I would like to meet Nettie in Mariánské Lázně and use at least a 14-day cure. The doctor advises me to do so and I am convinced that considering the little time available to me, Mariánské Lázně is more indicated than Karlovy Vary and will do me a lot of good. Nettie will also have a better opportunity to relax and strengthen himself there than in Karlovy Vary. By the way, their condition is again a satisfactory one. Hopefully, over time, it will become stronger and more resilient.

Sincerely, I remain Your grateful son

Carlo

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer 8th September 1899

Index no. 1899/09/08 Translated

21, Old Broad Street, E.C.

My dear Mama

Since Mr. Ledyard's announced letter has not yet arrived, I will no longer hesitate to thank you for your last dear letter. Your lines, from which your kindness of heart and your motherly benevolence are so clearly manifested, have given me great joy. It is a beautiful feeling for me and know that I can see in you a mother in the truest sense of the word and that now there is a trust and an understanding between us, which are almost inevitable by no opinion and differences of opinion, which are almost inevitable in life even between people who are still so closely connected, but which usually only touch details or are based on misunderstandings. can be clouded and loosened.

As for the trust matter, I don't need to tell you that my intention to give up the trust in my favor was not directed against you or Nettie, because I have too much evidence from your tender ones? and noble interpretations in money matters.

What I was trying to do by giving up the trust was to give me some kind of satisfaction, both to the family and others, and to refute and belie the malicious and nonsensical talk that I was already attacking Nettie's Capital and endangering her assets.

I do not want to deny that we spent a lot in these first 18 months of our marriage, that experiences cost us something, but I can point out with a certain satisfaction that in this short time we have created a home for ourselves, as we could not have wished for more complete and beautiful after years of effort. We have invested large sums in various partly very speculative partly non-speculative enterprises, we have done a lot in private terms and helped some and despite all this, our income has not only not decreased but on the contrary increased. I now have assets which, if liquidated and after deduction of my obligations, will be £20,000.-. minimum and easy £ 30,000.-. and which has an interest rate of 8 to 10%. In addition, my life is £ 6000.-. is insured. Without giving in to optimistic expectations, I can assume that it will be easy for me to earn at least £ 2 to 3000.- annually, although of course I will not be satisfied with such earnings as long as I am active in the City. I also don't want to stay in the city until my late age, but retire from active business as soon as I make a large fortune and my ambition is satisfied. Then I want to buy myself and live partly in the country partly travel. I tell you all this, dear Mama, because it is important to me that you get a true picture of our financial situation, and you see that the effort we have made from partly social? I would like to ask the Commissioner whether he is aware of the fact that the Commission has not yet submitted a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment and the protection of the environment.

If it is also not possible to book the existing trust arrangement? so I could annul the effect of the same by an analogous counter-arrangement. Frankly, I am sorry that I could not carry out my intention, but before I take any further steps, I will consider the matter carefully, and your and Nettie's wishes shall receive serious consideration in my considerations.

The stay in Homburg did me extraordinary good. Unfortunately, I am already beginning to feel less comfortable, but I have to mean that since my return I am in the office from morning to evening and do not make any movement that is so necessary for me.

In a crisis as serious as the present one, we have to go by day? be and pay attention. Our position, thank God, is so strong that even if the worst should happen, apart from impossible events, little or nothing can happen to us.

That the financial position of our young business is so strong we owe you to a large extent and for that we are also very grateful to you. Sholto Douglas was able to tell me about the crisis very satisfactorily.

I had to take grain from an impatient and dissatisfied client, which was not very convenient for me at the present moment, although I was very ????? because in a crisis like the current one on the one hand you should have your money as liquid as possible and on the other hand I will be able to use my money much more advantageously as soon as the situation has improved. However, I am by no means dissatisfied with the course of the courses in principle, because they are already worth about 50% more today than at the beginning. In October I will attend a meeting of the Beywerll??? society.

Baby gets more and more golden every day and gives me more and more joy. He is now well ? but..........? become stronger. Other news you learn better and more detailed from Nettie and so I close these pages all the more as I very ... I am in agreement.

In conclusion, however, I would like to thank you once again for all that you have done for me, as well as for your kind offers for the future. Please greet Mr. Ottendorfer, Uncle Ed and Carola most sincerely and be assured of my faithful and grateful attachment.

Your son

Carlo

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer 20th October 1899

Index no. 1899/10/20

Bauer & Co

You will have seen from the newspapers that the Transvaal question will find a warlike solution, and it is to be feared that the business crisis, which is already quite palpable, will become even more acute. Also, the money, which was expected to be expensive for the autumn anyway, will become particularly expensive due to the war.

These circumstances make me concerned for my business, which, thank God, has developed so well so far. We usually have rich customers, but as is so often the case, they are sometimes very unpunctual in paying or even sometimes do not settle differences at all. Urging such customers to pay in sluggish times could only harm our credit, all the more so as the same sometimes larger credit balances leave us for a longer period of time without disposing about them. We do not ask for margins, as in N.Y., which are so useful in times like these. - furthermore, in the course of the transaction, in order to make interest, we have borrowed stock and shares bought by clients on difference with our money and we can not just now in the interest of the loans of the shops (you know how much ... I would like to ask the Commissioner whether he is aware of the fact that the Commission has not yet submitted a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment and the protection of the environment.

Under these circumstances, I decided to ask you if you would be willing to make advances against securities in an emergency, which my company and I personally would also fully guarantee. At the moment we do not need anything and my question is merely dictated by caution. You have already done so much not only for me personally, but also for my business, that it would almost seem to me like an abuse of your kindness and generosity to turn to you again. But you have repeatedly indicated in such a loving way to both Nettie and me that you have a friendly interest in our business and that you would like to support it where it would be possible for me to feel encouraged to call again your eventual cooperation in the interests of my hopeful, I can even say good business. As far as I am concerned, my possessions are partly not feasible at all at the moment, partly only with very significant sacrifice. In any case, as a result of invoices, I have only cancelled payments which have occurred in the last few weeks, i.e. in the unfavorable time, including the purchase of the new courses Guberssen?, furthermore as a result of the fact that I have cancelled a bond with Alliance Insurance Co. of just over £ 2,000.- which I could have paid off within 5 years, in view of my business position and now have to pay off, have to realize a part of my stocks and action at a loss.

I do not need to assure you that my company and I, quite apart from the self-evident business responsibility, would consider it all the more a duty of honour to safeguard your interests in every respect, since you have shown yourself from the outset to be a true benefactor of our company and have always placed a trust in us. which we fully appreciate.

I want to give you a brief outline of our finances below.

My personal position was given in you in my penultimate letter, but at that time it did not look so bad only many believed that the war was avoided and on the stock market the ...? and as a result of further sluggishness, my possessions have continued to lose value and my credit side has deteriorated by a few thousand pounds. It is rather a great advantage if you do not need to realize your possessions in such times. In addition to the securities that my company would give you, I will of course also pledge a part of my securities. I will also give a personal guarantee.

Thus, you have a clear picture of the circumstances and I would like to ask you to consider whether we can count on your financial support and in what amount in the given case. It would be very nice of you if you could send us your answer by cable.

Just in case, we would like to thank you most sincerely for your always lively and kind interest.

Otherwise, I can only tell you good and pleasing praise. Baby is getting stronger and livelier every day, Nettie is comfortable and satisfied and I feel happier in my domesticity.

With best regards, I remain, best mom,

Your faithful and grateful son

Carlo

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer 20th October 1899

Index no. 1899/10/20 Translated

Bauer & Co
21. Old Broad Street
London, 20.10.1899

My dear Mama,

I have received your two dear letters of 7 and 10 Oct. correctly and I thank you most sincerely for the same.- I am now able to appreciate what great proof of your kindness you have given us, which you yourself were not "flush" at the moment when we called for your financial support and had to make the money liquid first. You have earned yourself another title on our gratitude.

As a result of the favorable news from the theater of war, the local business conditions have improved considerably, but at least the question of money remains a very dangerous moment and will remain so until after the end of the war.

I long mightily for some quiet and normal times, because with my nervous temperament I can't get out of the excitement. I have never been in charge of my own business and I have yet to find my way in.

Goldschmidt gave you a very wrong idea of the state of my interests in Klondyke. Today I look at everything lost down to the last penny.

The fiasco is largely due to its poor financial handling. After all, the situation today would not be bad for a long time, if not the mine expert sent out by my Berlin Associen (Douglas and Consorten) the credit that? Gold would have completely ruined. I'm going to Berlin next week where I get a hard bouquet? I would like to ask the Commissioner whether he is prepared to accept the Commission's proposal.

From Berlin I drive to Vienna and Pest and after my return to London I will find Moriarty. For the moment, I see everywhere only eyes and unpleasant and unprofitable business.

In addition to all this, we are in the air as a result of Maple's negligence. Have to live in the hotel and baby Carl Hugo to Carl Meyer? had to send. Then last night I received the incredible news that my friend Philipp Hennessy, who is 26 years old, has nothing and deserves nothing, asked for my sister's hand and that she had accepted him. Since my mother is unfortunately also taken for this connection, so it seems to me that the matter is settled!! Of course, I mention this to you first of all in confidence. With the warmest greetings I remain, dear Mama, Your faithful son

Carlo

(Annex: List of shares with value indications)

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer 24th November 1899

Index no. 1899/11/24 Translated

Note from PS: This letter was written 8 months after CHS (Chappie) was born.
Or a year and nine months after CS and Antoinette W. were married.

24, Grosvenor Gardens, S.W.

My dear Mama,

Above all, I must ask you to forgive me for leaving your dear letters unanswered for so long, but in the last 3 weeks I was in a continuous rush for a change - I was in Berlin to handle the Klondyke business with my partners there and from there I went to Vienna to take steps in the ministry in favor of the coal union and around the mines in Galenbach? on the Schneeberg as well as in Oedenburg. I did this in a very conscientious manner and agree with the result of my at Ortmud? The experience gained on the value of the mines was very satisfied. From Vienna I hurried to Paris to meet Nettie and the first days after my return here, my business was fully occupied.

The repeated proof of your trust in my company has made me immensely happy and I hope that you will have every reason to be satisfied with the investments we have made for you. You can find out more about business matters from my company's letters.

Although I have had large expenses this year, also pay £ 2000.-.- to the Alliance Ins. Co. on Dec. 1st and I also incur other larger expenses in connection with Ida's wedding, I still hope to be able to pay you back another £ 500.- in the near future.

I do not know what my mother may have written to you, but I certainly see that her letter has given you a very erroneous idea of how I understood my duties to my mother and sister. I am fortunately able to prove from my cheques and account books, which I will occasionally show you, that I have done more than just my duty.

Last year I paid my mother between 35 and 40,000 frs through the credit Lyonnais and in other ways. This year I have already sent about £1400,-.-, which is already £400,-.- more than what I promised to send regularly. - For Ida's equipment I contributed £200,-.- (while Nettie gave £250,-.-). For gifts for Ida Nettie and I will have spent around £4-500. I promised Ida £200,-.- for the honeymoon. I give my brother-in-law a complete very nice equipment and will provide him with the necessary money so that he can meet all expenses decently. This will cost me another £3 to 400. - I promised my sister a life pension of frs 12000.-, which has now increased to 15000.-.-. I will give my brother-in-law 300 frs a month as pocket money as long as he does not earn enough. Having always done more than I promised, it is more than probable that in the future, in proportion to my merits, I will increase the above figures considerably. It would never have occurred to me to tell you all this, dear Mama, but since my mother apparently appeals to you to determine me to better fulfill my duties, I am forced to talk about things that one prefers to do among themselves.

Although I owe most of my financial successes to your rare kindness, best mother, as well as my only Nettie, and it does not occur to me to count as special merit what I consider natural and only too gladly do, I can on the other hand point out with a certain satisfaction that I work, I struggle honestly, Worries and responsibilities that are not small, have willingly taken on and that I really care about the well-being and woe of those who depend on me and that I am not satisfied with simply giving away from my abundance. However, I have spent well over a thousand pounds for years not only for charity but to support others and help out of financial difficulties. So far, very few have turned to me in vain. Even if I am sometimes extravagant in my expenses, I always like to be in favor of others. I couldn't and can't possibly give my mother a capital, because the £20 - 25000 that I now own and have almost entirely in my business are now absolutely necessary, as long as I am active in the City and want to achieve the goal I have set myself to live enough and to be happy we would eventually have with a quarter of my income but I have the ambition to to make a certain fortune and I have just set the price of my activity in the city a bit high. Otherwise I don't like being a Cityman and would rather do something else.

Thus, I have said everything I had to say about my justification and the establishment of facts, and I hope that you will realize that I have done my duty in every respect and absolutely voluntarily.

There is one more point I would like to touch. My mother seems to be under the impression that I am working against Ida's marriage and that I want the matter to fall apart. But that's not the case, as Nettie, Hennessy, and everyone I've talked to about the engagement will tell me.

I was so perplexed and surprised when I was informed of the engagement that I considered it my absolute duty to express my concerns and fears to both Ida and my mother in a very energetic manner, even though I knew that I did not have the trust of my mother and sister, my W.. and Rath ... I had the least meaning with them, and I had to be prepared even to unleash my mother's wrath on me. The last one has also occurred, and in such an offensive, un... I would like to ask the Commissioner whether he is aware of the fact that the Commission has not yet submitted a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment. But as soon as I became convinced that the matter was absolutely serious, that one almost .......?. Neither my mother, who for a moment suddenly became a different mind and wanted to cancel the engagement, nor the own parents of the Hennessy's, who are against marriage to the hour, so warmly and energetically intercede for the real interests of the bride and groom as I did. While I am still aware of the dangers inherent in such an unequal union, I believe that everything must now be done to facilitate marriage, to ensure the future of the couple, and that today my sister alone has the right to resign. She is no longer young and it is her low happiness in life. As I explained to Hennessy yesterday, if he had made the intention to resign, I would have prevented him from doing so. He has taken on a huge responsibility and must now bear it.

By the way, I have always had the greatest friendship for him and the greatest confidence in his character traits. What frightened me is his financial situation, which offers little solid prospects, and the fact that he will have to take care of his parents and his young sister if his father is unable to work. And the boys themselves have little and already have a child. My mother saw in my justified concerns absolutely no other than the fear of a new responsibility and of further expenses! You can imagine how painfully all this touches me. Even poor Nettie was very painful, because my mother did not spare her reproaches. Chappie is now praise and thanks to God as well and cheerful as we can wish.

Nettie has been in Brighton and Chappie since yesterday and I'm going there tonight. Poor Nettie was very worried about Chappie and hardly went out during my absence. In order not to increase my worries, she did not tell me in her usual loving way how much Chappie had suffered.

But I must now finish my long-winded letter, because I have to hurry to the train.

You will receive a supplementary letter from Nettie anyway. With best regards, I remain, your faithful and ...

Carlo

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer 4th November 1901

Index no. 1901/11/04 Translated

Note from PS: Antoinette died on 22nd September 1901.
This letter was written 6 weeks later.

Hotel Continental, Paris, 4. November 1901

Dear Mama

Thank you most sincerely for your kind letter, which brought me the joyful news that our little Antoine is in a thoroughly satisfactory condition. - I breathe a sigh of relief and look to the future with more confidence. -

I had a long conference with Reulingen yesterday and made some orders. Among other things, I have an enlarged photograph of the picture of our poor, dear deceased, where she rests her head on her hand and from Reutlingen the?. I found to be the best. The photograph will then be turned into a paste. I have seen some pictures that were quite excellent and artistic and indistinguishable from real pastels.

As soon as the picture is ready in January or February, it will be shown to me for review and then all necessary and desirable corrections can be made.

If this picture works well, then I will have another enlarged picture taken. I have reasonable prospects that the insurance company will pay me in full for my car, which would be immensely advantageous for me, since I can have the car manufactured perfectly for little and later perhaps sell it without loss. The matter will be decided in a few days, respectively I will get my money. - For the children I have found lovely toys in London and you may receive them in a few days. I think I will give up my trip to Vienna now, because the time is too short and I also find here the peace and relaxation that I was in urgent need of and which I can not find in Vienna and London. I would have loved to have our mother..........? I made a small visit, but I have to postpone it for later.

My uncle wrote to me about London. But he does not speak of his departure for the continent, so I give myself up to the hope that I will meet him in England and hold him back for a few more weeks. - I am very pleased that you were so welcome to be present in Frensham by my favorite uncle. He is truly the best among the best, and wherever he stays, he has a beneficial effect on his surroundings through his inexhaustible kindness and mild sense, as well as through his rare gift of entertainment. Unfortunately, you don't write anything about your condition, dear mom, but I hope that you feel better and, above all, sleep better. Please none of my 3 little favorites for me?. - With warmest greetings to you and Carola*, I remain D. sincere son Carlos

* Carola, AW’s younger daughter, was 15 years old.

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer 21st January 1902

Note from PS: Antoinette died on 22nd September 1901.
This letter was written 4 months later.

To Anna Woerishoffer

From Carlo Seilern

Date 21 Jan. 1902

Index no. 1902/01/21 Translated

Frensham Place, Farnham, Surrey

Dear Mama

I was very pleased to hear that you did not make too bad a crossing and good in Winbever? have arrived. - I am sure that the change, the change of air and above all the company of your sister and Pf. Zinssin? and that you will return to England physically and inwardly strengthened. I was in Frensham over Sunday and found the little ones cheerful, sweet and in good health. - Oswald still has swollen glands, but Nurse says he feels better. However, if the glands do not recede in the next few days, I will ask Dr. Keith to come out again.

Towards the end of this week I hope to be able to leave here. I will first on .........? and Paris and then go to Switzerland. -

I would like to return to London around mid-February, as Mr. Pemberton will need my presence here at this time. My activity in the probate treatise, however, is a very limited and more or less formal one, so that after a very short time I will leave London again and go south for a few weeks.

The stay here is still too unbearable for me, I feel too lonely and lonely, the memory of the lost home, of the three years of the most beautiful hours is still too vivid and painful. For the time being, I can't get to Frensham where I could find peace and relaxation as often as I would like and the way of life I find here is equally harmful to mind and body. As soon as the circumstances have clarified a bit and it will be possible for me, I want to found a home and that will make my stay in London much easier and more pleasant.

I have just been given a letter from Mr. Pemberton, with which, incidentally, I had an exhaustive conversation yesterday. He writes me that he has received a letter from you mentioning that your responsibility regarding Frensham will cease at the end of May or June. I have hitherto refrained from entering into agreement with Mr. Pearson definitively because of a rescission of the lease, which did not expire until Dec. 1903.

However, he has already said that he is not comfortable with the idea. But now that you have decided, I will try to determine Mr. Pearson either to take back Frensham from the summer - possibly against payment of a penalty - or to allow us to rent it out. - But if my efforts fail and I am forced to keep Frensham, you will easily understand, dear Mama, that I do not want to separate from my children this summer but keep them with me until at least October.

I'm going to Frensham tomorrow and hope to hear some good and pleasant news from you.

With best regards to you, dear Mama as well as to your sister and Pf. Zinssen, I remain

Your Son

Carlo

Anna Woerishoffer to Carlo Seilern 21st January 1902

To Carlo Seilern From Anna Woerishoffer
Index no. 1902/01/21 Translated

Reply to letter from CS dated Jan. 21, 1902
without place, without date

Dear Carlo!

Your last letter made me very uneasy. After we had arranged everything to your and my satisfaction before my departure, I took an apartment for myself and the children in Schwalbach and commissioned Merano to look for a suitable house. Now you are talking about keeping the children in Frensham, which will change all plans again. I wrote a detailed letter to your uncle in which I shared my definitive views with him. I have confidence in him, you have confidence in him and it is certainly right for you if we accept him as a joint adviser. Talk everything through with him and let me know your decision as soon as possible.

If the plans with Schwalbach and Merano are to be carried out, then it is high time to go about them. I don't want to go into more detail here, I wrote everything to your good uncle. Tomorrow we go to Freiburg because my sister is too sick to come here, but I'll be back on Monday. I hope very much to see your uncle here and will be very happy if it were not some detour to greet you.

With warm greetings to everyone in Frensham, but especially to you from your faithful
Mama

Carlo Seilern to Mr. Bauer 9th August 1906

Note from PS: £1 in 1906 corresponds to £85 today.
£1'300 in 1906 is worth £110'500 today or €172'000

9 August 1906

Mr. Bauer
39 Devonshire Place, W

I hereby acknowledge that I am indebted to you in the sum of £1300, which sum I agree to pay you at periods and times to be subject to my control and discretion excepting that I am to make payments in each year of sums of not less than £100, such sum to be paid by four equal quarterly instalments on the usual quarter days and the first of such quarterly instalments to be made on the 29th day of September next and in order to secure the same I agree either to insure my life and to assign the Policy by way of mortgage to you or else to mortgage in your favour a Policy I have for £2,000 in the Eagle Insurance Co. and until such matter is arranged I hereby Charge such Eagle Policy in your favour to secure the amount for the time being owing to you under this letter of guarantee.

(Sgd) CHARLES SEILERN

Lee & Pemberton to Carter Ledyard (??) 27th June 1907

Note: It appears that Lee & Pemberton were Carlo Seilern’s lawyers.
This letter was presumably written to Anna Woerishoffer’s lawyer (Carter, Ledyard??)

The RPI (Retail Price Index) has risen just over one hundredfold since 1907. £20'000 would be just over £2'000'000 today.

From: Messrs Lee & Pemberton 27th June 1907
44, Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London W.C.

Dear Sirs,

Count Seilern.

Referring to our recent interviews with you, we now write as arranged so that the whole position may be placed before you. We, ourselves and others, have used every effort to arrange a Loan of £20,000 or £25,000 on Count Seilern's Interest in the Trust Funds.

If Count Seilern could have given a legal charge on his Interest, there would not have been the slightest difficulty in arranging a Loan on very reasonable terms.

In point of fact we ourselves have been twice on the eve of concluding arrangements for a Loan, but the Lenders on enquiry found this fatal flaw caused by the state of the American Law, and at the last moment withdrew from the negotiations. In one case we think we could have managed the Loan, if the Power of Attorney we discussed with you some months ago had been recognized by the Trust Company.

However, we are driven to the conclusion that it is impossible to raise a Loan from outside sources.

The total indebtedness of Count Seilern is, in round figures £25,000. We can send you details later on. At least £10,000 of this amount is due in respect of Count Seilern's engagement on behalf of a third person, who we have reason to believe, would have been able to re-pay' the greater part of this, had it not been for his Solicitor absconding, after having defrauded him of large sums. This gentleman is now in America, endeavoring to make arrangements with his friends for re paying Count Seilern.

Count Seilern has written Mrs. Woerishoffer very fully as to the manner in which the debts have been created, and he is of course ready and willing to give any further details that may be required.

The present position, as we have explained to you verbally, is a desperate one. There is a Bankruptcy Petition on the File to be heard on the 11th July. In addition to this the Sheriff's Officer is in possession at Harley Street - fortunately we were able yesterday to make an arrangement whereby his actual presence is obviated - and the fact is, unless money is found by some means to clear off the whole of the indebtedness, there is nothing for it in our opinion, which we have come to after very careful and grave consideration, but for Count Seilern to have a Receiving Order made against him.

This, as you will realise at once, will mean possibly the seizure of Count Seilern's furniture, the jewels, silver and indeed all his property.

Count Seilern felt so very keenly that Mrs. Woerishoffer had come to his rescue so often, that he hesitated to trouble her, while there was any possible chance of arranging his affairs without her intervention. We trust we may be allowed to add our appreciation of Mrs. Woerishoffer's generosity in the past.

We at once admit that we have no right to expect her to do anything further in the matter, and we have for, months past been preparing Count Seilern for the worst, and he fully realizes the present position. At the same time, with the greatest diffidence, we venture to suggest that Mrs. Woerishoffer should advance £25,000 to Count Seilern in order to give him an absolutely clean slate - at the same time protecting herself and Count Seilern in the future. If Count Seilern's total indebtedness to Mrs. Woerishoffer were agreed at £50,000, could not some means be devised, by way of a friendly lawsuit in America or otherwise, to secure to Mrs. Woerishoffer the absolute control of Count Seilern's income, during the currency of the Loan?

Count Seilern will consent to any proceedings necessary to bring this about and to secure Mrs. Woerishoffer by means of life Policies against loss in the event of his death.

Roughly we estimate that the interest say at 3% and the premiums would mean about £3,000 a year. This would reduce Count Seilern's income to something like £3,000, and if Mrs. Woerishoffer continues to make her generous allowance, even to the extent of £2,000 a year, this would give Count Seilern £5,000a year, an amount which would be quite sufficient to provide for his and his children's comfort.

Of course, if Count Seilern receives any considerable amount from the persons who owe him such large sums, he would apply any sums so received in reduction of Mrs. Woerishoffer's Loan.

In the event of Mrs. Woerishoffer not seeing her way to help Count Seilern, we beg you to prepare to lodge a proof in respect of the indebtedness to her immediately the Receiving Order is made, for voting purposes and in order to assist matters generally.

We only desire to add that we have been advising Count Seilern all through his troubles, and we feel that they are due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, and to our personal knowledge, the present position does not arise from any personal extravagance or anything in this direction, but he has only to attribute it to his weakness in not being able to say "no" to requests and suggestions which have been made to him.

We feel convinced that if Count Seilern can be protected against himself in the way we have suggested, it is the very best possible thing that can happen in the interests of all parties.

You will appreciate the gravity of the situation, and we feel sure, will lose no time in ascertaining Mrs. Woerishoffer’s views.

Yours faithfully,

Messrs Lee & Pemberton,
44, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C.

Lee & Pembertons to Anna W. 16th September 1907

Telephone (National) HOLBORN 372 & 374 .
Telegrams, PEMBERLEE. LONDON.
44. Lincoln's Inn Fields,

LEE & PEMBRRTONS.
B.E. Pemberton.
H.A.Whately
F.E.J.Smith
G.L. Stewart .

London,16th Sept 1907

Dear Mrs. Woerishoffer,

Since writing to you this morning I have had a call from Mr. Draycott who rang me up and asked to see me about Count Seilern's affairs. He tells me the position is now as follows:-

As regards the furniture at Harley Street. The execution creditor is still in possession but has been paid half the amount of his debt, leaving about £300 still due to him. He has consented to hold his hand until the 21st of September, but Draycott is certain that if he is not paid off by then or within a few days after he will proceed to sell by auction a sufficient portion of the furniture to satisfy his debt.
As regards the petition in bankruptcy. This has been postponed until the 10th of October. The amount of the petitioning creditor's debt was originally about £600 but £300 has been paid on account. Mr. Draycott appears to feel no doubt that bankruptcy will ensue if the balance of the debt is not paid by the date named or within a few days.
As regards the money-lenders. Two of these have got Judgments for about £1100 and £900 respectively, and will not consent to wait, but Mr Draycott thinks they would probably allow say one half of their debts to stand over for a few months if they were paid 10/- in the £ down.
As regards other creditors. It appears that no writs have been issued by any of these, but that there are two whose debts amount together to about £400 who may be expected to sue unless settled with within a few weeks.

From the above you will appreciate that Count Seilern's position at the present time is very critical, as besides the execution creditor, the moneylenders are in a position to step in and seize the balance of the furniture and will certainly do so if they are not settled with at once or very soon.

I should like to know whether you are still prepared to buy the furniture! I ask this question in view of Count Seilern's foolish attitude towards you especially as disclosed in the recent correspondence you sent to me. I do not see how he can prevent the furniture going within the next ten days or so unless you come to his rescue, and I can hardly think he will be so foolish, when the actual crisis comes as to decline such help.

The value of the furniture Mr. Draycott tells me is from £1,000 to £2,000. Perhaps you would let me know whether you would be prepared to buy it for a sum not exceeding the latter amount, or to lend up to £2,000 on it.

Mr. Draycott also tells me that if £5,000 were found for the purposes above mentioned, and to enable him to negotiate with the creditors generally, he has no doubt he could pull Count Seilern through his difficulties, assuming the latter has disclosed all his liabilities, which he has no reason to doubt.

I can well understand that you may hesitate in view of Count Seilern's present attitude to find this or any other sum, and I feel I cannot properly give you any advice in the matter, but I am sure Mr. Draycott has been doing his utmost to keep Count Seilern straight and prevent matters going into bankruptcy, and I have no doubt from what he tells me that the time has now arrived when money will have to be found or bankruptcy will shortly ensue. Doubtless you will let me hear from you in reply to this.

I enclose a cash account showing the dealings so far with the £10,000.

Believe me,

Yours sincerely,

Busick & Pemberton

Mrs. Woerishoffer,
Hubertendorf, Niederösterreich, Austria.

Private

P.S.

Mr. Draycott wished me to say how much he regrets Count Seilern's attitude towards yourself. He is anxious that you should know that he has not countenanced it in any way, and that he strongly disapproves of it. He has told Count Seilern so over and over again, but as he is still the Count's Solicitor of course he would not like this to come back to the Count from yourself.

New York Herald May 11, 1902

COUNT SEEKS DEAD WIFE‘S FORTUNE

Countess Left $ 1.250.000 * , of which He Claims $ 1.000.000.

THREE SONS UNMENTIONED

Father Denies They Can Benefit by Will Until His Legacy Is Paid and Trust Fund Established

Several interesting questions affecting the disposition of the $ 1.250.000 fortune left by Countess Antoinette Seilern, who was formerly Antoinette Woerishoffer, the daughter of a wealthy banker of this city, are to be settled through an action that has been begun in the Supreme Court of this city by the United States Trust Company and Commodore Lewis Cass Ledyard, as executors and trustees of her Will, for the purpose of having a judicial determination and construction of the Will and the opinion of the Court relative to the fund held by them under a deed of trust which was executed on March 23, 1897.

Countess Seilern died on September 22 last at her country residence, Frensham Place, Farnham, Surrey. Count Seilern and three sons, Carl Hugo, Oswald and Antoine Seilern, survive her. Her Will, which she executed on February 10, 1898, and which has been admitted to probate here and in England, gives to her mother, Anna Woerishoffer, of this city, her wearing apparel and personal effects. She made a bequest of $ 250,000 to her husband, Count Seilern, and created a trust of $ 750,000, the income from which she directed should be paid to him for life.

On his death the principal is to be paid to her sister, Emma Carola Woerishoffer, of this city, who is also made residuary legatee. No mention is made of the three sons in the will. George A. Miller, of No. 54 Wall Street, is attorney for the trust company and Mr Ledyard in the action for the construction of the will, and Selden Bacon represents the Count. It is said that the action is a friendly one.

When the Countess established the deed of trust a fortune in securities was placed in the hands of the trustees, the income from which was paid to her up to the time of her death. It is said that there remains in the custody of the trustees at the present time $ 1,250,000 in personal property belonging to the trust estate.

Count Seilern, in his answer, avers that as the Countess was a British subject, the will should be governed by the laws of that country. Another question to be passed upon is whether the Will is invalid because it does not refer to the children born subsequent to its execution, and also whether they are entitled to any interest in the fund of more than a million dollars held by the trustees.

Count Seilern claims that by the laws of England a married woman has full power to make a Will disposing of her real and personal property, and that the subsequent birth of children to a testatrix does not in any way affect the will, whether the children are provided for or not.

He further contends that the property of the Countess, exclusive of the trust fund held under the deed of trust, is wholly insufficient to carry out either the bequest of $250.000 to him or to establish the trust fund of $ 750.000 and he declares that the trust of $1.250.000 should be applied to carry out the payment of the quests under the Will. Until this is done he insists that the sons are not entitled to any portion of the fund held by the trustees under the deed of trust.

* http://www.davemanuel.com/inflation-calculator.php

Lee & Pemberton to Carter Ledyard (??) 27th June 1907

Note : It appears that Lee & Pemberton were Carlo Seilern’s lawyers.
This letter was presumably written to Anna Woerishoffer’s lawyer (Carter, Ledyard?)

Messrs Lee & Pemberton
44, Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London W.C.

27th June 1907

Dear Sirs,

Count Seilern.

If Count Seilern could have given a legal charge on his Interest, there would not have been the slightest difficulty in arranging a Loan on very reasonable terms.

In point of fact, we ourselves have been twice on the eve of concluding arrangements for a Loan, but the Lenders on enquiry found this fatal flaw caused by the state of the American Law, and at the last moment withdrew from the negotiations. In one case we think we could have managed the Loan, if the Power of Attorney we discussed with you some months ago had been recognized by the Trust Company.

However, we are driven to the conclusion that it is impossible to raise a Loan from outside sources.

The total indebtedness of Count Seilern is, in round figures £25,000. We can send you details later on. At least £10,000 of this amount is due in respect of Count Seilern's engagement on behalf of a third person, who we have reason to believe, would have been able to re-pay the greater part of this, had it not been for his Solicitor absconding, after having defrauded him of large sums. This gentleman is now in America, endeavouring to make arrangements with his friends for re-paying Count Seilern.

Count Seilern has written Mrs Woerishoffer very fully as to the manner in which the debts have been created, and he is of course ready and willing to give any further details that may be required.

This, as you will realise at once, will mean possibly the seizure of Count Seilern's furniture, the jewels, silver and indeed all his property.

Count Seilern felt so very keenly that Mrs Woerishoffer had come to his rescue so often, that he hesitated to trouble her, while there was any possible chance of arranging his affairs without her intervention. We trust we may be allowed to add our appreciation of Mrs Woerishoffer's generosity in the past.

We at once admit that we have no right to expect her to do anything further in the matter, and we have for, months past been preparing Count Seilern for the worst, and he fully realises the present position. At the same time, with the greatest diffidence, we venture to suggest that Mrs Woerishoffer should advance £25,000 to Count Seilern in order to give him an absolutely clean slate - at the same time protecting herself and Count Seilern in the future. If Count Seilern's total indebtedness to Mrs Woerishoffer were agreed at £50,000, could not some means be devised, by way of a friendly lawsuit in America or otherwise, to secure to Mrs Woerishoffer the absolute control of Count Seilern's income, during the currency of the Loan?

Count Seilern will consent to any proceedings necessary to bring this about and to secure Mrs Woerishoffer by means of life Policies against loss in the event of his death.

Roughly we estimate that the interest say at 3% and the premiums would mean about £3,000 a year. This would reduce Count Seilern's income to something like £3,000, and if Mrs Woerishoffer continues to make her generous allowance, even to the extent of £2,000 a year, this would give Count Seilern £5,000 a year, an amount which would be quite sufficient to provide for his and his children's comfort.

Of course, if Count Seilern receives any considerable amount from the persons who owe him such large sums, he would apply any sums so received in reduction of Mrs Woerishoffer's Loan.

In the event of Mrs Woerishoffer not seeing her way to help Count Seilern, we beg you to prepare to lodge a proof in respect of the indebtedness to her immediately the Receiving Order is made, for voting purposes and in order to assist matters generally.

We feel convinced that if Count Seilern can be protected against himself in the way we have suggested, it is the very best possible thing that can happen in the interests of all parties.

You will appreciate the gravity of the situation, and we feel sure, will lose no time in ascertaining Mrs Woerishoffer’s views.

Yours faithfully,

Messrs Lee & Pemberton,
44, Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C.

World War 1, Home Office Affair

These pages are a transcript of the problems Carlo Seilern had with the Home Office:

CERTIFICATES OF NATURALISATION (REVOCATION) COMMITTEE

__________________________

BRITISH NATIONALITY AND STATUS OF ALIENS.

ACT 1918

and

BRITISH NATIONALITY AND STATUS OF ALIENS

ACT 1914.

__________________________

RE: COUNT CHARLES MARIA JOHANN SEILERN-ASPANG

__________________________

COPY.

POINTS OF CHARGE.

CERTIFICATE OF NATURALISATION REVOCATION COMMITTEE.

_________________________________________

BRITISH NATIONALITY AND STATUS OF ALIENS ACT 1918 and

BRITISH NATIONALITY AND STATUS OF ALIENS ACT 1914.

_________________________________________

Date: 4th November 1920.

To:

COUNT CHARLES MARIA JOHANN SEILERN-ASPANG.

Being a person to whom a Certificate of Naturalisation was granted on the 7th day of July 1897 of C/o Mrs Cox and Co., Tower Royal, Cannon Street, E.C., his Solicitors.

TAKE NOTICE that the Secretary of State has referred to the Committee appointed pursuant to the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914 as amended by the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1918 for Inquiry whether:

(1) You have not shown yourself by Act or Speech to be disaffected or disloyal to His Majesty, in thatyou visited Vienna in 1916 and thereupon served in the Austrian Army against His Majesty.

(2) You have since the date of the grant of the Certificate been for a period of not less than seven years (namely from 1912 to the present time) ordinarily resident out of H.M. Dominions otherwise than as a representative of a British subject, firm or Company carrying on business, or any institution established in His Majesty's Dominions, or in the service of the Crown, without having maintained substantial connection with Nis Majesty's Dominions.

(3) You have remained according to the law of Austria -a State at war with His Majesty, - a subject of that State.

(4) The continuance of your Certificate is not conducive to the Public Good.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the Committee will on the 13th day of December 1920 at 11 o'clock at King's Bench Court No.1, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London or so soon thereafter as the Case can be heard proceed to Inquire accordingly.

(Signed) DONALD CARSWELL

Acting Secretary,

Certificates of Naturalization

(Revocation, Committee, Royal Courts of Justice,
Strand, W.C.2.

to whom all communications should be addressed.)

____________________________________________

Your attention is particularly directed to the following: -

(a) You should attend in person and you may be represented by Counsel or Solicitor, or. (if the committee think fit) by some other person approved by the Committee. You must produce or send your Certificate of Naturalisation to the Committee.

(b) You may give and call evidence on your behalf and the Committee may if they think fit act upon any information which is available, whether or not such information is given on oath or would be admissible in evidence in a Court of law.

(c) If you cannot be present, the case may be dealt with in your absence. If the cause of absence is illness, a medical certificate must be sent and it must state when you may be well enough to be present.

(d) The committee has power to enforce the attendance of witnesses to compel the production of documents and to punish persons for contempt.

(e) If you do not object to your Certificate being revoked you should write a letter to that effect and you must enclose your Certificate of Naturalization.

CERTIFICATES OF NATURALIZATION (REVOCATION) COMMITTEE

CHARLES MARIA JOHANN SEILERN-ASPANG B.24429/9

DATE OF HEARING 9th May 1921.

The Respondent was born in Vienna, an Austrian subject in 1866. In 1888 he underwent his usual period of military training and passed into the Landsturm. He settled in England in 1891, was naturalized in 1897, and became a member of the London Stock Exchange. He married in 1898 a subject of the United States and had issue three sons, born 1899, 1900 and 1901. In the latter year the wife died. The Respondent and his sons continued to live in London. He had entered the boys for Eton as they were born and we have no doubt he intended to reside permanently in England.

About 1903 he sustained large business losses and became heavily indebted. His late wife’s mother attributed these losses to the Respondents English associations and made it a condition of financial help that the boys should not be educated in this country. Count silent was entirely dependent on this lady and his sons were her probable heirs, and he conformed to her wishes. In 1909 she took the three boys to the US and in 1910 and 1910 to Vienna where she settled with them. In 1910 counts island gave up his house in London and joined his sons in Vienna: he made arrangements which showed that he then intended to return to live in this country at no distant date.

At or before this time, on the instructions of his mother- authorities in the name of the and his sons to renounce British in favour of Austrian nationality. The Respondent was aware of this but was not in a position to object.

In fact, the Austrian authorities pointed out to the lawyer who made this application that it was unnecessary since Count Seilern, not having renounced Austrian nationality remained, An Austrian subject for all purposes by Austrian law. The Respondent was unaware of this reply, and, in common with his friends and relatives, believed that the British citizenship of himself and his sons had been determined.

In 1913 he married again. His second wife is obliged, for reasons of health, to live at Davos or St. Moritz. He therefore made his home with her in Switzerland. His sons continued to live at Vienna with their Grandmother who entirely provides for them. He visited them at Vienna in 1913 and in 1914 before the outbreak of war. In the autumn of 1915, he visited them again. He was then 48 and knew that he was liable to military service, but as he had not been already called up, he expected to escape it. He was, however, summoned and required to serve. He served though not in the fighting line, until 1917 when he obtained his discharge on the ground of his wife’s ill health and returned to Switzerland.

In 1919, when on a visit to Vienna, he learned for the first time that his British nationality had not been renounced and took immediate steps to assert it.

We have carefully considered whether the Respondent has shown himself to be disaffected or disloyal to His Majesty.

He voluntarily placed himself in a position which to his knowledge made it possible for him to be compelled to bear arms against this country. If he had known that he bore allegiance to His Majesty, this would have been very strong, and probably conclusive, evidence of disloyalty or disaffection.

He has admittedly been absent from this country since 1910 without maintaining substantial connexion, but we do not think that this continuance of the certificate is inconsistent with the public interest. The Respondent appears to be a respectable man, sincerely well affected towards this country, and his character and loyalty were certified by Sir George Grahame, H.M.Ambassador at Brussels, and other credible witnesses.

We are also asked to advise “whether he remains according to the law of a state at war with His Majesty a subject of that state” Clause (e) of Section 7 (2) is in the present tense, in contrast with clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d). We think that the date to be taken is the date of reference to this committee, in this case 3rd August 1920. We are of opinion that the question should be answered in the negative for two reasons (1) because at that date Austria was not a state at war with His Majesty (2) because, before that date, the Respondent had acquired Czecho-Slovak nationality to the exclusion of Austrian nationality by virtue of article 70 of the Treaty of Peace with Austria and was therefore no longer an Austrian subject according to Austrian law.

We therefore report:

1. That Charles Maria Johann Seilern-Aspang has not shown himself by act or speech to be disaffected or disloyal to His Majesty.

2. That he has since the date of the grant of the Certificate been for a period of not less than seven years ordinarily resident out of H.M.Dominions otherwise then as a representative of a British subject, firm or company carrying on business, or an institution established, in H.M.Dominions, or in the service of the Crown, and has not maintained substantial connexion with H.M.Dominions

3. That he does not remain according to the law of a state at war with His Majesty a subject of that state.

4. That the continuance of the certificate is not inconsistent with the public good.

(Signed). A. C. Salter
Hambledon
Francis R.Y. Radcliffe.

Home Office,
Whitehall,
5th July 1921.

Gentlemen,

With reference to your letter of the 16th ultimo regarding the case of Mr C.M.J.Seilern-Aspang. I am directed by the Secretary of State to transmit to you the accompanying copy of the report of the Certificates of Naturalisation (Revocation) Committee in this case.

The Secretary of State does not propose to take any further action in the matter.

I am, Gentlemen,

Your obedient Servant,

O.F. DOWSON

Messrs Cox & Co.,
Tower Royal
Cannon Street,
E.C.4.

Carlo Seilern to Anna Woerishoffer 31st July, 1914

Note:This is part of a letter sent by Carlo S. to his mother-in-law at the start of WW I

Had the Certificates for Naturalisation (Revocation) Committee been aware of it’s existence, Carlo S. may well have been charged with treason.

He was 48 at the time and AW 64.

St. Moritz village, 31stJuly 1914.

Dear Mama,

Thank you very much for your kind letter, from which I see how much you are upset and moved by the extremely critical situation in which Austria and the whole of Europe find itself. Unfortunately, the situation has deteriorated considerably since your letter. I believe that if ~ world war could be prevented for the moment, it will break out with redoubled force and with far more serious consequences, as soon as Russia and France have continued their armaments and feel strong enough to defeat Germany and Austria. And if the world war is inevitable, then the moment has been chosen wisely and correctly by Germany and Austria!

I consider it my absolute duty to place my services at the disposal of my country and intend to go to Vienna for this purpose as soon as it is possible. I will first offer myself to the military authorities, and if they have no use for me at all or at present, then I will either register with the Red Cross or try to apply to some civil authority. Lieutenancy or, where possible, in the Foreign Office. Labourers will be needed everywhere, and I believe that I, like many others, will be able to make myself useful.

In any case, I do not want to and cannot remain idle abroad and follow the events from the newspapers in comfort but must exert myself with all my strength.I'm sure you agree. If I were employed as an old soldier and in my former capacity as an orderly officer, I would have to buy a horse in addition to a full uniform.

……………………………

This is part of a 5-page letter which goes on to cover other subjects.

An interesting sideline:

Did Carlo's Seilern's naturalization/revocation problems after World War I affect my education 35 years later? (see World War 1, Home Office Affair)

In 1954 I was 18 and Paps wanted to get me into Cambridge (that's how it was in those days). I was turned down twice which was unusual, so he decided to bring the matter to Thomas Overy's (his English lawyer) attention:

Thomas Overy, Esq.
Senior partner
Allen & Overy (attorneys at law)
London E.C.3.

10th March 1954

Dear Mr Overy,

May I trouble you with a personal matter? It has always been my wish that my sons should attend an English College, either Oxford or Cambridge. I was, therefore, naturally very disappointed when, after over 3 years of service in the RAF, my oldest son was turned down by Cambridge in 1946. The reason given at the time was overfillment (sic) due to the war. I gave the matter at that time no further thought. But, now, the same thing has happened again and under other circumstances with my younger son, Peter. This boy is at the known Le Rosey school in Rolle in Switzerland where he is taking his studies in English.

From enclosed correspondence (chiefly between the English deputy of the Senior Master of Le Rosey, Mr Hughes, and the Senior Tutor of Trinity) you will see that his name was already put down for Trinity in 1949. Last year when he came over for the coronation he went up to Cambridge for an interview with the Senior Tutor which, as far as we understand, seemed to have been quite satisfactory. Now, without any warning, he is practically turned down (letter No.7.).

Originally, we had planned his going to Cambridge first and hereafter doing his military service (despite the fact that, as a resident abroad, he is in this respect under no obligation at all). But, on second thoughts, the plans were changed some months ago and we would like him to do his military service first, already this autumn. This would be useful too from the point of view as, in the meantime, he could again try for admission either to Trinity or to some other Cambridge college.

I am bringing the boy over on the (or about the) 23rd of March and he will be having further interviews in Cambridge (presumably St. John & St. Catherine) and also one in connection with his military service.

The only thing which worries me is the fact that this turning down of my sons might not just be a more or less normal coincidence. I suppose you will remember that on my arrival in England in 1942 I was called to the M.I.5. where I had a most disagreeable interview with a most disagreeable individual who questioned me on all sorts of matters concerning myself and my family based on a file full of completely incorrect facts, half-truths etc. etc. Although, thanks to your kind intervention at that time, I was never molested in any kind of way anymore. I was unable to find any kind of real war work or enter the army, as it had been my great wish, and I ended up in doing some kind of work in a small radio factory, work which any village-idiot could have performed just as well, if not better, than I.

If this was a consequence of my interview with the M.I.5. or only another coincidence I really do not know. I suppose that everyone has got a so-called file and I can only assume that there might still, perhaps, be something disagreeable in mine. For my person, I could not care less. I am getting too old to be bothered too much with what professional spies, informers etc. have reported about me. I personally, am quite satisfied with my own conscience.

But, it would be a ghastly thing for me if my sons, or as a matter of fact, any other member of my own family would come to any kind of harm in consequence of this.

Now, what I want to ask you is this. Do you think you can find out if there is any foundation in my suspicions, if there is any unknown or, let’s say, even sinister reason why both sons have, or are, being refused admission to Cambridge? And, if this should be the case, is there anything that can be done about it? I am, of course, afraid that should my fears be confirmed my son Peter will be turned down not only by any other college but also will not be able to get into a good regiment (as is the plan). I am ever and always willing to let myself be interrogated on every subject so as to be able to clear up any kind of misunderstanding.

I will be returning to Kitzbühel coming Tuesday (16th March) and will be leaving for London (via Zürich) on the 20th, arriving presumably, around the 22nd. I will, anyway, inform, Mr Wilde of the exact date of my arrival and will ask him to arrange a meeting with you at your convenience.

I trust you will not mind my bothering you with this personal matter and I can assure you that I will be more than grateful for your help and advice.

Yours sincerely

Explanation

CHS was 55 at the time. He may not have been aware that Carlo S. had a serious problem with his Certificate of Naturalization. At least he makes no mention of it in the letter.

What Mr Overy did and what came of this affair is unknown although there might be some truth to it.

My being turned down by Cambridge remains a mystery although I did serve as a 2nd lieutenant in The Life Guards from 1954 until 1956.

CarloSxmaswishes

Carlo Seilern Will

11th March 1936

MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.

This is my Last Will and Testament of me Charles Seilern Aspang, and I hereby revoke all Wills heretofore made by me.

I wish to be buried wherever I happen to die in the simplest and most economic manner. I should be grateful it some organ music - Beethoven and Chopin, but not the latter's Funeral March - would be played during the Service.

It is my particular wish that no mourning should be worn tor me, as those who will kindly remember me, will not require this outward manifestation of their feelings.

At the date of writing this I have no property whatsoever beyond my personal effects, but there are still some liabilities outstanding. I cannot, therefore, make special provisions for anyone. The few things I shall possess when I die, I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph and I request him to give any souvenirs to his brothers they may like to have.

My gold watch emblazoned with my coat of arms, which is the first and cherished present made to me by my never-to-be-forgotten wife Antoinette, I give and bequeath unto the eldest son of my son Karl Hugo.

I hope and trust that my sons will look after the tomb of my dear Mother at Lucerne. As to my dear Father's grave at Munich, I would be grateful if my sons could arrange to have the remains transferred to the family Vault in Vienna.

At the time of writing this, I am still financially indebted to my three sons and if I die now the life policies which they hold will not cover the outlays they have generously made on my behalf.- I appeal to them to forgive and forget all the trouble and annoyance I have so unwillingly caused them, and to maintain a brotherly attitude towards their youngest brother Joseph, who will be in an impecunious position after my death.

Despite the fact that my marriage with my wife Ilse has during the last years not been a happy one, I have forgiven and forgotten all the differences that had arisen between us and I only remember the happy times we have spent together. I hope and trust that my eldest sons will make her an allowance to enable her to live in a comfortable and dignified manner.

As to my son Joseph, I beg of my three eldest sons to contribute to his maintenance until he is able to act for himself. I feel sure that he will not abuse the generosity of his brothers and not be a burden to them but strive to make himself independent.

With regard to my dear sister Ida Hennessy, I express my heartfelt thanks to my three eldest sons for continuing to make her an allowance in pursuance of their dear Mother's intention.

After my death a sum of $250.000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand U.S.A. Dollars) will accrue to my three eldest sons at their free disposal and this legacy will therefore facilitate their carrying out my wishes with regard to my wife, my son Joseph and my sister Ida without adding any burden to their present incomes.

A few years ago, I was informed that my sons had expressed the very generous intention of sharing these $250.000- equally with their brother Joseph and this touched me very deeply, as it proved their desire to treat him as a real brother.- Owing to subsequent troubles and outlays they have made on my behalf, they may, however, I am afraid have changed their mind. Yet, as my death will relieve my three eldest sons of a burden and responsibilities, I feel encouraged to suggest to them to revert to their original noble intention and to give a fourth of the above mentioned $250.000- to their brother Joseph. I would suggest that after deducting what my sons see fit, the balance might be placed in Trust for the benefit of my son Joseph.

In the event of my death taking place before Joseph has attained his majority, I confidently hope and trust that my three elder sons will consider my younger son Joseph as being their real brother and that they will watch over his destiny and act as his best advisers. As my sons Karl Hugo and Oswald are married and thereby having certain responsibilities, I would suggest that my son Antoine in conjunction and harmony with his brothers, would undertake Joseph's guardianship. I feel sure that my wife, who has always been a very good and devoted mother to Joseph, will agree to my suggestion and welcome and appreciate such co-operation.

I hereby wish to assure my three eldest sons of the deep gratitude I have always felt for the material assistance and help which they have extended to me, my wife, and my son Joseph.

I have suffered infinitely more than they have ever realized through the financial misfortunes which have estranged them from me, isolated me from friends and relatives dear to me and prevented the intimacy with my sons and their families for which my heart has always yearned.- I have been sincere and honest, my intentions were always good, and to have failed and been misunderstood is a cruel blow from which I shall never recover.

My son Joseph has always been an affectionate and obedient son who has given me great happiness. I am confident that he will cherish my memory, respect my wishes and live up to them. I hope he will be careful and avoid the mistakes I have made and become a straightforward, dutiful and efficient man, making the best use of the great opportunities and chances England offers him.

I hereby appoint as joint-executors of this my last will and testament Dr. Henning Pfafferott and my son Karl Hugo.- Dr. Henning Pfafferott has been my adviser and friend for the last eight years and I beg of him to continue after my death to give his valuable help and assistance to my wife and son Joseph and their interests. I am of the opinion that the services of Dr. Pfafferott have not been adequately remunerated these last few years, especially as compared with the fees received by other lawyers whom he furnished with material and advice. It would therefore be an act of fairness and justice if he would receive after my death, in addition to his legal fees, a gratification, whose amount I leave to the discretion of my sons.

I would also suggest that my former Secretary and trusted friend and adviser Theodore Gruber of 38 Park Road, London W.4., would give his assistance to my son Joseph and to Dr. Pfafferott in matters connected with England, as he has always been well-acquainted with my ideas and affairs, and I expect that he will be adequately remunerated for his services and expenses.

I request Dr. Pfafferott to deal carefully with the correspondence I am leaving behind and either destroy or return same to tae owners at his discretion.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of March one thousand nine hundred and thrity six.

Signed by the above-named Testator as and for his last Will in the presence or us, present at the same time who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses.

Carlo Seilern to his sons 29 November 1939

Graf Carlo Seilern-Aspang
Clinique « La Colline »
Geneva

November 29, 1939.

To my sons

Carl Hugo, Oswald and Antoine !

My beloved sons!

Although I leave next to nothing, my death will still bring you an increase in wealth. First of all, you come into possession of the surplus of the life insurance and furthermore into the possession and enjoyment of the trust of $250,000 , which will be released by my death. If my income of about $.35,000 had not decreased by about $6-7000 for 10 years, my liabilities would have been completely repaid in my lifetime.

Therefore, if even after my death you continue your truly generous help for my sister, if she should survive me, and especially for my lady, in the amount of 400 dollars a month, and finally do not abandon your brother Joseph, you will be able to do so without new burden.

You were all 3 so infinitely kind and good to me, you were sons, you cannot find them better and have made me so happy that I will be deeply grateful to you until my breath.

I have the absolute confidence that you will continue to leave my beloved wife, with whom I have lived so many happy years and who has cared for me so lovingly in my great illness and whom you have really come to know and love yourself in recent years. You have seen what good consumption she makes of it and how uninterested she is.

I have the feeling that Manni could get by without help, although of course support will make his progress much easier. In this regard, too, I can die calmly, because in recent years you have shown a warm and fraternal interest in him. I also know that he will never abuse your kindness.

Now, my beloved sons, I want to tell you once again how infinitely grateful I am to you for the love and care you have given me, which has brought me so much help, relief, and happiness. It will be very difficult and hard for me to part with you, Tiny and Fanny, from whom I have experienced only good and love, and finally from your adorable children, whom I have loved so dearly. I will plead with God to take you all under His protection and bless you, as you truly deserve.

Explanation:

Carlo S. was 73 at the time of this letter. He died 6 months later.
His first wife Anoinette Woerishoffer, died giving birth to Antoine S. Carlo spent many years in conflict with his mother-in-law, Anna Woerishoffer (1850-1931). Mostly about money. Carlo depended on a small trust and his mother-in-law's generosity.
His son Josef (Manni 1916-2004) was the half-brother of Carl Hugo, Oswald and Antoine. He was severely dyslexic and a very kind man although unable to earn a living. He depended on the generosity of his half-brothers.

There are dozens of similar letters available for consultation

This letter was translated from German.

Ilse Seilern (Carlo Seilern’s second wife)

Aunt Ilse was soft-spoken and remembered as a great beauty. Uncle Antoine, who was 21 years younger, took care of his stepmother during the last years of her life in Baden (bei Zürich).

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