Antique Imperial Russian Signed Letter Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia 1939

Siocha" was the nickname for Ferdinand Thormeyer, a former tutor and a lifelong friend of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, the youngest sister of Tsar Nicholas II.

Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna maintained a long correspondence with Thormeyer, especially after she went into exile following the Russian Revolution. Her letters to him, often written in French, discussed her daily life and activities, such as going to the cinema or walking in the morning. The correspondence highlights their close and enduring friendship.

In the letter she writes:

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My very dear Siocha

I’m delighted to finally have the chance to thank you for your photos — I received them quite some time ago. I think they will please my sister, since she, her husband, and everyone else are in the picture. Thank you also for the yellow flower on the postcard. Here, everything is going well. The boys are happy; they’re now stationed at a regiment of infantry not far from here — only twenty minutes away by car. They come home in the evenings from six to eight (after dinner, they return to the barracks). Their barracks are quite beautiful — a lovely long street lined with lilacs and chestnut trees. They call their quarters “the barracks of the enchanted ones,” and both of them seem to be doing very well there.

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Tihon has a young soldier under his command — a very learned magistrate, but one who behaves like a “tadpole,” as they say, and insists on calling Tihon “corporal” instead of “sergeant.” He’s doing as well as possible, and they all seem to be in good spirits. The colonel recently told Tihon that he was pleased with his progress — it’s not easy to keep one’s health in such a dreadful place, but he’s managing well.

Tihon threw himself into his duties with enthusiasm. He always tries to do his best, with all the fine qualities that you know he has. I’m sure it would make you happy to see him. The boys now come home at two or three o’clock in the afternoon. For me, the mornings pass quickly, as I’m always busy, and we go to fetch them in the car when we can.

When we arrive at the barracks, we see lines of soldiers marching back, their packs on their backs — it’s quite a sight. Yesterday it was Tihon who appeared first, looking so lively and smiling that my heart leapt with joy.

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We were sitting together on the veranda. The weather was so beautiful that evening, with the setting sun and the soft air. All day long I had been working in the garden, planting strawberry plants and flowers — my gardener helped me replant the beds. The garden is so lovely this year; everything is growing beautifully. The forest nearby is turning green again, the branches covered in new leaves. I adore this time of year, when you can see all the shades of green against the sky.

Tihon couldn’t come home the day before yesterday, but yesterday he managed to get permission for two hours in the afternoon. He looked tired but happy.

Our neighbor, “the gardener,” as we call him, now has a new chauffeur and several servants. He spends his days with them here. Today, Mrs. Sterli came by — I hadn’t seen her for a long time. She’s a charming woman, with a little boy she calls “my force,” because he’s so strong and healthy. We went for a walk together, and then a storm began — thunder and heavy rain —

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— but it passed quickly, and afterward everything was fresh and fragrant. We stood at the window for a long while, watching the rain fall and breathing in the scent of wet earth and lilacs. It was wonderful.

Tihon has just written to his godfather. I’ll send the letter tomorrow morning. He told me that he often thinks of you, and that he’s happy to know you’re both well. When you write, please tell us everything about your health and your daily life — we love hearing from you.

I’ll stop here for today, as it’s already quite late. With all my heart, I embrace you both, my dear ones, and wish you peace and happiness.

Your affectionate,

Olga

April 26, 1939