Mösseberg, Ankdammen. 52737
Imp. G.W. Lundins Bokhandel (Hjalmar Lundin) Falköping
(G.017.01)
Date: Unknown, but most likely 23.6.1902 (Midsummer Eve)
Sent from: Mösseberg, Falköping (spa resort)
To: Herr Gustaf Ekman, Storegården, Fristad
From: Gerda
Jag är nu på Mösseberg och har mycke roligt. Här skulle du varit med. Jag kommer nog hem på tisdag e.m. på halv 7 tåget tänker jag, eljest på sista tåget, möt mig då.
Tack för brefvet, det kom oförväntat.
Hälsningar från Gerda
Hälsningar från Anna E—? o E—r o Edith.
I am now at Mösseberg and am having a very good time. You should have been here. I think I'll be home on Tuesday by the 6:30 train, or else the last train - meet me then. Thanks for the letter, I did not expect that.
Greetings from Gerda
(and Anna E-, E-r and Edith)
Mösseberg is (still) a spa resort up on the hill Mösseberg at Falköping, founded in 1865. There was a spring there, and the location high up was also considered to be good for people with lung diseases. (The hill is ~100 m high.) A railway nearby made it easy for people to get there. In 1885, there was a sanatorium for people with tuberculosis. In the early 1900s, it became more of a spa for "anyone", including healthy and wealthy upper class people. The park and bath were restored and more guest rooms added, to be able to have guests there all year round. (Source: Swedish Wikipedia article.)
The postmark on the card shows vague traces that the date may have been 23, but not which month or year. My guess is June 1902, though. Later that year, Gustaf (the recipient of the card) and his sister Gerda (the sender) would both be emigrating to America. The image on the card shows a Midsummer pole. Midsummer Eve back then was always celebrated on June 23. In 1902 that was a Monday, and Gerda writes that she'll be going back home on Tuesday evening. E-r might refer for Ester (their sister), and Edith could be their niece - their older sister Emma's daughter. I also seem to recall having heard that Ester at some point did spend some time at Mösseberg for her own health - but I don't know when.
You'll find my original post about this card here (2013-06-18).
Back then, I had not yet starting linking this blog to Sepia Saturday.
Linking now to Sepia Saturday 831 - "Celebration time"
Interesting that midsummer's eve was always celebrated on June 23rd since the summer solstice could fall on any one of 3 days depending on the year - the 20th, 21st, or 22nd. But, whatever. Celebrating was the important part. I'll bet the midsummer pole would be really pretty in color. :)
ReplyDeleteGail - in the past, in the Church of Sweden, Midsummer Day (24 June) was associated with John the Baptist. That day is still named after him in our calendar. But since the change in the early 1950s to always celebrate Midsummer on a weekend, the Sunday after Midsummer is also associated with him, in church context.
DeleteWhat a really interesting post. I love the idea of a sanitarium for health...and I imagine there are still some places that have that as their focus...spas seem to be everywhere, but to have a natural setting must make them special. Springs, mineral or otherwise, and nice clear air! Yes! I also was struck by a midsummer pole, since I didn't know there had been any except the May day poles with ribbons to dance around. This pole is quite different, and decorated so prettily! Here there is little celebration except by those of us who identify as pagans. Happy Summer Solstice!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, our midsummer pole is "related" to the British maypole. I don't think I've ever seen any dances involving ribbons here, but the style of decorations may vary between different areas, and I think sometimes also include ribbons. (After all they have to tie the leaves and flowers to the pole with something...)
DeleteMidsummer is a fine celebration that ought to be better known in America but I suppose our lower latitude makes it less dramatic. On a midsummer day many years ago my wife and I were on the Isle of Lewis in the Scottish Hebrides for our honeymoon. We stayed at a B&B next to an ancient stone circle and got to experience the magic of a summer solstice. I've always wanted to go back for the winter solstice.
ReplyDeleteMike, I suppose you're referring to the Callanish Stones. I've never been to the Isle of Lewis myself but I have a blog-friend living there, and have seen pictures and read about them. Way back in my teens I did visit Stonehenge on a family holiday - not exactly at midsummer, and it was in the daytime - but I think it was in June.
ReplyDelete