Letters from Beijing

In a letter dated 4 November 1909, Count Karl von Luxburg wrote to his mother, Luise Countess von Luxburg (1847-1929), on the official stationery of the Imperial German Legation, describing the progress he had made in establishing his residence in Beijing. He had been transferred back to the city in September 1909, at his request, to serve as First Secretary. In his letter, he also expressed a desire for new East Asian works of art, particularly porcelain and bronzes, which he noted were becoming increasingly rare and expensive, making them almost impossible to acquire.

In his letters, which he frequently wrote to his mother, Count Karl shared updates about his life in China and inquired about the well-being of his family back in Europe.

Letters held significant importance within the von Luxburg family. They provided an opportunity to stay in touch with family and friends around the world.

The letters to his mother may have later served as the foundation for Count Karl's book "Nachdenkliche Erinnerung".