Finally: "Dearest, Dearest Svenja!"

[Claire (aka Cleo)]

I received these packages from Svenja quite some time ago... The 1st at the end of September

The scan doesn't do the collage justice I'm afraid - it is covered with vellum. I can't say enough how much I love this collage! It is in a frame above my desk (see Jpeg in this blog) so that I see it every time I look up...

Express my glee aptly? I shall copy & paste the letter I wrote to her at the time as text for this blog:

subject: "Dearest, Dearest Svenja!"

From You to Svenja Wahl
Sent Sep 21

I received your package today - what a joy!!! First, the collage is utterly, utterly cool! That is getting framed! [you forgot to sign it though :( ] And then the Goethe books - I had completely forgotten about them and couldn't figure out what in the world could comprise such a heavy package...? What a wondrous surprise - my beloved Faust! They are just perfect perfect Perfect! The tall book of the manuscript pages is just stunning - mmm, what unexpected beauty... The pages of that I will scan, but that exquisite book is definitely not being destroyed! Amazing that it's in such good shape being from 1929. I suppose old books are rather common in Europe, but they are quite rare here, and usually very expensive when one finds them... And the bag you enclosed the stuff in is really cool too! You truly made the artist, the collector, and the bibliophile within all quite exceedingly happy today ma chere! Thank you veryveryveryvery much! (pls. excuse all the exclamation marks - just so exited!!! ^_^)"

***

And a few months later...damn, this woman is spoiling me big time ^_^ ^_^ ^_^!

Again, my exclamation is the voice of the letter of receipt:

Subject: "I repeat,

From You to Svenja Wahl
Sent Nov 26

"Dearest, dearest Svenja" indeed! I returned from the Thanksgiving holiday to your delicious package - thank you so very, very much - I feel utterly spoiled! I just love the collage, and the other goodies enclosed are just wonderful also. Did I tell you I was a Nietzsche fanatic? If not, you are indeed sibylline! I just adore the Zarathustra folio (only wish I could read it...:() ; it's another gem from you which I don't think I'll be able to tear apart %_^. Nonetheless it shall indeed get used (fodder for the scanner...) I also really adored the work you did on those 19th cent. stamp collection pages (like the one you did for De Villio. Was that a print of some kind?). Not sure I'll be able to match that, but we shall see what they inspire...I reaaaaly like them, and thank you so much for sharing them with me! Last but far from least, the vellum sheet - I had swooned over that paper/print on a few of your collages - I can't believe I now have some - it's just too, too cool!

Once again, thank you my friend - immeasurably!"

Indeed!!!

[Carina]

Wonderful pieces from the world of Svenja :)  

[Claire (aka Cleo)]

I'm only sorry it took me so long... I quite agree Svenja, and let me say again that you succeeded indeed ma chere!

That pleasure is one of the reasons I often put so much attention into my packages - the hope that it will be a treat, (or at least an experience...%_^)

And a hearty Thanks once again!

[Svenja Wahl]

Ohhhh, thank you for blogging, Claire! One of the greatest pleasures of mail art: making somebody else on the other side of the world happy - I'm so glad these old books and pages are "in good hands"! (and so proud of my collage hanging on your wall!! :-)