Maybe that's the reason why no one has been quoting from her Italian diary in the biographies - too difficult to track down, and you need to be up to French Rokoko handwriting?
Oof, yes, that would explain a lot. Also, I took a closer look through WorldCat just now, and at least two of the entries list the language as French. So I think it really is the original, maybe a facsimile, maybe a transcription, but not a translation into English.
Okay, found another description: "185 pages: frontispiece (portrait) illustrations (including coats of arms) facsimiles (part folded); 32 cm. The letters of the Margravine and Frederick the Great are preserved in the state archives, the Journal in the Royal Library at Berlin."
It's possible the facsimiles are samples and the whole journal is transcribed, like Richter did with Fredersdorf (that volume also has folded facsimiles), but it could just be straight up facsimiles.
Ah, wait, found an even better description: "1891. No Edition Remarks. 185 pages. No dust jacket. Vellum boards. French text. Chapter IV of Thoughts for Enthusiasts at Bayreuth. Contains 10 black and white in text illustrations and 7 facsimiles throughout." Phew! Looks like Mrs. Burrell typed up the text. And yes, we now have confirmation that the main text is in French. Your "native speaker" hopes were foiled!
Okay, I've found a few copies in the US through WorldCat. I'm not terribly optimistic that any of them will be ILL-able, but I've gone ahead and placed a request through my local library. If not, well, our two options are to request a digitized copy from the Stabi, which at .40 euros a page and 185 pages is 74 euros, or order a copy online--currently $138, but I'll keep an eye out for a better price.
But yeah, I can see why no one is quoting from this book!
you need to apply to a special license to use the Handschriftensaal (i.e. prove you're an earnest researcher for this subject), which I don't have.
My first reaction was, "But, I mean, if you're not an earnest researcher on this subject, who is! :P" But then it turned out to be in French, so I think you reading in the Handschriftensaal is not our best bet any more. This looks like a job for a detective + librarian + algorithm writer. (If I were working 40 hours/week, $138 would not be a problem, but the thing is I'm only working 30 hours/week for the foreseeable future. Hmm. Am seriously considering reaching out to a company for which I do a bit of consulting now and again. :P)
The hunt for Wilhelmine's travel diary
Oof, yes, that would explain a lot. Also, I took a closer look through WorldCat just now, and at least two of the entries list the language as French. So I think it really is the original, maybe a facsimile, maybe a transcription, but not a translation into English.
Okay, found another description: "185 pages: frontispiece (portrait) illustrations (including coats of arms) facsimiles (part folded); 32 cm. The letters of the Margravine and Frederick the Great are preserved in the state archives, the Journal in the Royal Library at Berlin."
It's possible the facsimiles are samples and the whole journal is transcribed, like Richter did with Fredersdorf (that volume also has folded facsimiles), but it could just be straight up facsimiles.
Ah, wait, found an even better description: "1891. No Edition Remarks. 185 pages. No dust jacket. Vellum boards. French text. Chapter IV of Thoughts for Enthusiasts at Bayreuth. Contains 10 black and white in text illustrations and 7 facsimiles throughout." Phew! Looks like Mrs. Burrell typed up the text. And yes, we now have confirmation that the main text is in French. Your "native speaker" hopes were foiled!
Okay, I've found a few copies in the US through WorldCat. I'm not terribly optimistic that any of them will be ILL-able, but I've gone ahead and placed a request through my local library. If not, well, our two options are to request a digitized copy from the Stabi, which at .40 euros a page and 185 pages is 74 euros, or order a copy online--currently $138, but I'll keep an eye out for a better price.
But yeah, I can see why no one is quoting from this book!
you need to apply to a special license to use the Handschriftensaal (i.e. prove you're an earnest researcher for this subject), which I don't have.
My first reaction was, "But, I mean, if you're not an earnest researcher on this subject, who is! :P" But then it turned out to be in French, so I think you reading in the Handschriftensaal is not our best bet any more. This looks like a job for a detective + librarian + algorithm writer. (If I were working 40 hours/week, $138 would not be a problem, but the thing is I'm only working 30 hours/week for the foreseeable future. Hmm. Am seriously considering reaching out to a company for which I do a bit of consulting now and again. :P)