• Helena Syrkus (photographer)
• Helena Syrkus (architect)
• J.J.P. Oud (sitter)
• Helena Syrkus (sitter)
• J.J.P. Oud (architect)

Portrait of J.J.P. Oud, his wife and possibly Helena Syrkus, Kijkduin, The Hague, Netherlands; verso: Letter from Helena Syrkus to Miss Annie, 27 March 1929

March 1929

- Photographs PH1984:0800 R/V and PH1984:0801 R/V were apparently taken by Helena Syrkus during a trip to Rotterdam in March 1929. The letter by Syrkus to Miss Annie on the verso of these photographs indicates that the two correspondents visited J.J.P. Oud and his family during the trip. Photograph PH1984:0800 R/V shows J.J.P. Oud and his wife (and possibly Helena Syrkus), while photograph PH1984:0801 R/V shows Miss Annie's son.
- Text of letter on PH1984:0800 reads as follows: Liebe Frau Annie, Heute erst kommen wir dazu, die Photos zu vergrössern, ich bin glücklich, dass die Bilder gelungen sind und dass ich Ihren das Bild Ihres Sohnes zu Ostern senden kann. Die Reise war wunderschön - aber doch unsere schönsten Erinnerungen sind aus Rotterdam und aus Kijkduin. Wir sind glücklich, dass wir die paar Stunden mit Ihnen und mit Ihren Manne verplaudert haben - man muss sich schnell wiedersehen. Dann haben wir in Warschau so viel zu tun gehabt, dass wir gar nicht atmen könnten - dazu haben wir auch [letter continues on PH1984:0801 as follows] die Grippe mitgemacht - jetzt sind wir furchtbar in Anspruch genommen. Aber die Bilder haben uns so viel Freude gemacht - es schien mir, dass wir noch in Rotterdam sind. Also habe ich gleich an sie geschrieben - denn dann könnte es wieder ad calendas graecas verschoben sein [Latin ?] Und jetzt habe ich Frau Annie aufwiedersehn - fröhliche Ostern ! Herzlichste Grüsse für sie, Ihren Mann und den Jungen Oud Ihre Helena Syrkus
- Translation of letter on PH1984:0800: Dear Miss Annie, Today we developed the photographs - I am glad that the pictures turned out so well and that I can send the picture of your son to you for Easter. The trip was wonderful - but our fondest memories were of Rotterdam and Kijkduin. We are happy that we had a few hours to spend with you and your husband - it would be nice if we could see each other soon. We were so busy we barely had time to catch our breath - as a result we caught the flu - [letter continues on PH1984:0801] now we are consumed by illness. But the pictures brought us so much joy - I feel as if we are back in Rotterdam. So I wrote you immediately to shift back the hands of time [Latin ?] And now Miss Annie I must say goodbye - Happy Easter ! Kindest regards to you your husband and your youngster. Yours Helena Syrkus

Gelatin silver print

comp.: 7.6 x 12.7 cm sheet: 8.4 x 13.3 cm

PH1984:0800 R/V

• interior view

- This photograph is printed on postcard stock.

dated and inscribed - by the photographer ? in pen and black ink, on the print, verso, u.l.: "27.III.29" [sideways]; and t. to b.: with the text of a letter from Helena Syrkus to Miss Annie [sideways]

Rotterdam; Netherlands;

• architecture
• portrait