Ludwig II, King of Bavaria

Two autograph letters, signed "Ludwig," in German. To Karl Hesselschwert. [Schloss Linderhof, Bavaria]: no date & 3 April no year



8vo, 1 1/2 & 1 pages, on stationery with the small embossed royal crest; formerly folded. Tipped into a portfolio, in a gray cloth drop box.

To his favorite servant Karl Hesselschwert

Ludwig instructs him to bring "the angel" at 11 o'clock as usual, but with great circumspection, noting that everything is to be lit up by that time, including the moon over the lake. He also warns him about the strength of the Chiemsee beer, and asks why a diplomat who is going to Paris should not also visit London.

At Linderhof, his Bavarian retreat, Ludwig had constructed a grotto modelled on the Venusberg in Wagner's Tannhäuser. It had an indoor lake with a shell-shaped boat, in which Ludwig went rowing, swans and huge stalactites. An ingenious system of electrical work controlled the waterfall, warm air heating, and lighting that incorporated a rainbow-machine.