Name/Title
Letter: Anna Jones Rankin to Gertrude SeiberlingEntry/Object ID
A 2025.12.b1.f7.4abDescription
The writer begins by expressing that fate once again interfered in their ability to meet with Gertrude. She blames herself and claims that if she'd been better prepared, they could have made arrangements. She mentions trying not to be too critical of others. She also says that her laziness is her great sorrow and that Gertrude is not challenged by this.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
Mar 11, 1912 - Mar 12, 1912Postmark
Date and Time of Postmark
March 12, 1912 at 11AMPostmark Place
City
ChicagoState/Province
IllinoisCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaStamp
Red and depicts George Washington; cost 2 centsAddressee
Name
Mrs Frank A. SeiberlingAddress
158 East Market St.
Akron, OhioPrimary Language
EnglishTranscription
Transcription
March. 11th 1912
My dear G.A.
The fates again intervened to prevent my seeing you Sunday. My own dumbness was an instrument in their hands. If I had thought soon enough of writing you a note to the hotel telling you of my engagements for the day we could have made some arrangements Of course I am in Oak Park Saturday night and until 6 o’clock Sunday night but then I came in for the Athletic Club. When I had supper with my brother and two of his friends and then heard the Minneapolis Orchestra give a concert there in the gymnasium - we might have had a minute or two together before you left for the train or you might have been induced to come to stay for a day or two with me - then I looked for a telephone call for you at Oak Park. But it is all settled now and Im [sic] glad to think that you were near me for that little time Your letter to me was splendid and I’m so glad your singing went better The critics found it very fine so your mild statements of improvement sounded too deprecating. You can see that this letter is written at the time when my brain is weaker than usual. In fact its 11.30 at night and I’m dull- I’m having a time of figuring out what a weak miserable creature I am - and have been trying to stop thinking by reading a novel- If I could see you I’d tell you just how silly and petty like I am - If you will only use me as an escape valve, I’ll be so glad – [illegible] miss your letters - sometimes
I suppose we all come face to face with ourselves and know the motives that animate us by their right names. It makes me less critical of others and I wonder how I have kept in the even way through the years past - But my laziness is my great sorrow.
You have nothing of that kind to reproach yourself with. Please forgive me for this and just be my loving friend - your devoted -
Anna-Transcriber
Barb Vargo, Roberta SearleLanguage
EnglishCreate Date
February 20, 2026Update Date
August 28, 2026
