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Lot Essay
Early summer of 1898 found Baroness Ungern-Sternberg expecting the birth of her first child. With her dear friend very much on her mind, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, residing at Peterhof, sat down to write to Pollie. In a letter composed on her personal stationery and dated 16/28 June 1898, the Empress writes:
I must send you a few lines to tell you how much my thoughts and prayers will surround you next month. God bless & protect you, Darling, & may you not suffer too much-tho one willingly suffers, so as to have the intense joy of holding one's own precious Baby in one's arms. I have worked a quilt for you to cover the tiny little Being with-the brooch is for you as a wee remembrance of a dear friend.
On 7 July 1898, Pollie gave birth to a daughter, Alix Louisa Emilia Marion Hedwig von Ungern-Sternberg. The baby girl was named Alix after the Empress, who became her godmother. The present brooch, mentioned in the letter along with a quilt for the baby, was a thoughtful gift from the Empress to her dear friend. The choice of lily-of-the-valley, said to be Alexandra Feodorovna's favourite flower, makes the gift all the more personal and touching.
I must send you a few lines to tell you how much my thoughts and prayers will surround you next month. God bless & protect you, Darling, & may you not suffer too much-tho one willingly suffers, so as to have the intense joy of holding one's own precious Baby in one's arms. I have worked a quilt for you to cover the tiny little Being with-the brooch is for you as a wee remembrance of a dear friend.
On 7 July 1898, Pollie gave birth to a daughter, Alix Louisa Emilia Marion Hedwig von Ungern-Sternberg. The baby girl was named Alix after the Empress, who became her godmother. The present brooch, mentioned in the letter along with a quilt for the baby, was a thoughtful gift from the Empress to her dear friend. The choice of lily-of-the-valley, said to be Alexandra Feodorovna's favourite flower, makes the gift all the more personal and touching.