Topic starter
26/10/2006 7:50 pm
Dear steamboatfolks:
Has anybody heard of a Charles Sealsfield ? His original name was Karl Postl and he left Austria in 1823 for the New World. A couple of weeks ago the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" here in Germany had an article on him and his writings. The eyecatcher for the article was the famous Donaldson print of the LEE-NATCHEZ race of 1870, which was the reason a professor gave it to me 🙂
One of Sealsfields books is called "Ralph Doughby`s Esq. Brautfahrt", which supposed to create a fairly accurate picture of the society, landscape and the adventure of riding the steamboats of the first period. Is there an English version of it? I haven`t read it so far...
Greetings from Northern Germany,
Bernd
26/10/2006 8:27 pm
Dear Bernd & steamboating colleagues:
Interesting inquiry and I'm digging on it now. Names from the old world to the new were often changed/corrupted more than once in spelling as time went on. The closest I see to 'Karl Postl' is found in Way's PACKET DIRECTORY Entry No: 2234 for the Cincinnati built sternwheel packet GENERAL CHARLES H. TOMPKINS, 1878. Fred's 'bio' on the boat does mention a 'Capt. Charles Postal, master.' No 'Karl Postl' is listed in Fred's index as per your spelling. The TOMPKINS had some career running up Missouri Rivr to Stephens Mission, South Dakota. Fred ends with a simple, "Date of loss?"
There may be other more informed eyes on the web who have additional leads. I'll check with Cincinnati Historical Society and run this past a few of my German speaking professor colleagues at Literary Club here in Cincinnati.
The famed Donalsdon print you mention of the NATCHEZ-ROBT. E. LEE of 1870 caught my eye. I had one here in the original old butternut wood frame with rippled glass. It was done on very thin paper which deteriorated in time beyond the care of a restoration specialist and literally fell into fragments probably a victim of paper acid reaction. Another 'kicker' is that I attended Withrow High School here in Hyde Park years ago with Richard Donaldson a member of the old Donaldson Printing Co. family I see no business or general listings now for the Donaldson Co. Others on this web may be able to answer your appeal via intensive steamboat 'forensics.'
Cheers,
R. Dale Flick
26/10/2006 9:18 pm
Dear Bernd & colleagues:
Yes, Chalres Sealsfeld is the subject of a book review by Craig W. Nickish, Idaho State University of a book titled IDEOLOGY, MIMESIS, FANTASY: CHARLES SEALSFIELD, FREDERICH GERSTACKER, KARL MAY, and other GERMAN NOVELIST of AMERICA, Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1998. 342 p. The paper is too detailed here to quote.
I recall that 'MIMESIS' is from Greek as 'imitation'...in art or literature or in biology a form of 'mimicry.' Sealsfield is described as "a life more colorful and enigmatic...traveled through America, but much of the rest of the world as well.' Echoes somewhat my postings on the Russian Alexndr Lakier and his experiences on steamboats here in the late 1850s. Well, what do I know?
Cheers,
R. Dale Flick
Topic starter
26/10/2006 9:57 pm
Dear Dale & steamboat enthousiasts:
Thanks, Dale.
What caught my attention was/were his name(s). He actually was a preacher and later returned to Europe (Switzerland) under his new name.
According to the newspaper article "Ralph Doughby`s..." is worth reading.
My idea was reading also the translation (if there was one), because language played an important role in his writings.
Greetings,
Bernd