Name/Title
Letter: Anna Jones Borroff to Gertrude SeiberlingEntry/Object ID
A 2025.12.b1.f7.6abcDescription
[a] The writer starts by describing Gertrude as "The wonderful person". She tells Gertrude she does not want her husband paid for the Club and to take the extra $25 from her performance. She says she is anxious to hear him sing for Gertrude but that she believes he is really an artist and that his talk will be interesting. She commends Gertrude energy and tells her not to wear herself out. She mentions a Mrs. Irving Rankins and that she feels sorry for her. She plans to visit with Rankins when she visits Akron. The writer then asks Gertrude to tell her what songs she'd like sung at the concert in December. She mentions Madame Elandi and wanting to meet her. She mentions including some programs from the Musical Art Society. She talks about a couple concerts. Then she ends the letter talking about her husband and how he continued to grow dearer to her.
[b] Envelope
[c] Concert program for a performance at the Chicago Sinai Congregation. Anna Borroff's husband, Albert Borroff is listed as a soloist. The concert occurred on Sunday, October 27, 1912 at 8:15 PM.Subject Person/Organization
Borroff, Anna Jones Rankin, Seiberling, Gertrude PenfieldCollection
PERMANENT COLLECTIONCataloged By
Katrina NeffAcquisition
Accession
A 2025.12Source or Donor
UnknownAcquisition Method
FoundLetter Details
Letter Date
Oct 30, 1912Postmark
Date and Time of Postmark
October 30, 1912 at 7PMPostmark Place
City
ChicagoState/Province
IllinoisCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaStamp
Red, depicts George Washington, and cost 2 centsSender
Name
AnnaAddress
4822 Madison AveAddressee
Name
Mrs Frank A. SeiberlingAddress
158 East Market Street
Akron, OhioPrimary Language
EnglishTranscription
Transcription
Oct. 30th 1912.
4822 Madison Ave.
My dear G.A-
You are the wonderful person- But I want to tell you that you shall not pay my husband for the Club- You are to take the extra $25 from my performance. I am so anxious to have him sing for you for he is really an artist. His talk will also be interesting. He has most decided ideas on his art and a way of telling them- He says that you terrify him when you write such glowing things about me. He feels he can not [sic] live up to the wonderful person you make me out to be. You are a darling to say so anyhow even if it is not true.
Your letters are such interesting ones that I cant [sic] bear to destroy them. I have most of them put away- in a trunk- So you see how you influence me- I wish that I had your clear thinking brain and your energy. Dont [sic] wear your self [sic] out dear lady angel.
I meant to write you about Mrs Irving Rankin. I felt so sorry for her. She has such a cramped existence. I will write her a note telling her I’m coming to Akron and hope to see her She is a sweet nature and really pathetic.
Will you tell me what kind of songs you want me to sing the 10th of Dec. also what else is on the programme [sic]. Maybe I can fit in better if I know. I was glad to hear about Grace Henry’s trip. Hope I can meet Madame Elandi when I am there. Im [sic] sending you some programmes [sic] of our musical art Society. They have a variety of styles. When we have some new ones I’ll send them also -
Albert sang splendidly Sunday evening at the Sinai Concert. They are giving 20 concerts there Sunday evenings. Mr Dunbar with 20 men of the [illegible] Orchestra. Admission ten cents. Soloists from Chicago - 1500 people there last Sunday evening - I am going out so will stop this. I just want you to know that I am so grateful to you and wish I could really do something for you- my husband is growing more dear to me each day and is like a treasure house full of buried riches- Thank you dear lady.
Your devoted Anna—Transcriber
Roberta Searle, Barb VargoLanguage
EnglishCreate Date
February 20, 2026Update Date
September 16, 2026
