Anna Anderson's claim to be Grand Duchess Anastasia

[ChatNoir]

Just for good measure: Here is a clear photo of the Tsar's left arm. Still no tattoo.

[tian]

Here's a picture of the tattoo. The snake-like figure that covers quite a bit of the arm.

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by Warren

I hope you're not referring to this thread, for whatever adjectives we may use to describe the experience, I don't think "entertained" would be on the list.

Actually Warren, I've been HIGHLY entertained by it all.



(But then again, you know I'm a bit off. . . . )

[ChatNoir]

Originally Posted by tian

Here's a picture of the tattoo. The snake-like figure that covers quite a bit of the arm.

Then where did it go?

[Menarue]

I didn´t! It´s there.

[tsarskoe]

Though faint, I think one can clearly see the curves of the dragon

[tsarskoe]

Even better

[ChatNoir]

You know, I think you are right. It's just very hard to spot on some photos, probably due to the light. Strike one against AA.

[tsarskoe]

And here is the photograph above compared to the one TIAN posted. Notice the exact same shape and outline.

[tsarskoe]

I do agree with you though Chat, when I was told of the tattoo's existence I did not see it either. It was only after seeing photos like the ones above that I could notice it. I NEVER would have previously thought the Tsar would have had a tattoo. I must say Im impressed by its size. It must have hurt tremendously.

[ChatNoir]

In reading an interview with somebody who got a tattoo from the same man in Japan, the artist was said to be very quick and lighthanded, and the operation was not as painful as one should have imagined.

[tsarskoe]

That's good to hear! Thank you ChatNoir :)

[Michael HR]

Seems the photo has been found. Beaten to the post agin

[ChatNoir]

I am reading "The Last Days of the Romanovs", and this is some of what Gibbes says about daily life in Tobolsk:

The empress got up at different times, sometimes much later than others. There were times when the empress came out only for lunch.
At lunch we used to have soup, fish, meat and dessert. Coffee was served upstairs. The dinner was similar to the lunch with the difference that some fruits were served. In the morning the emperor had tea with the Grand Duchess Olga in his workroom. Tea in the evening was always served in the emperors workroom and only the family was present.
According to the doctor's advice the czarevitch had to rest a little on the sofa after lunch. We went out for a walk till about four or five o'clock. After we returned the emperor gave a lesson in history to the czarevitch.
With some assistance the emperor built up a platform on the roof of the orangery. A staircase which was constructed by our combined efforts led to the platform.

Here is AA's description of daily life in Tobolsk:

In the morning Papa breakfasted with my sister Olga in his study, where afterwards he read or made entries in his diary. Mama was the last to get up, though she woke very early. She stayed a long time in bed, however, and drank her coffee in the bedroom, which she usually did not leave before lunch.
Lunch was at noon, and we still had our old chef. There was soup, fish, meat, preserved fruit and afterwards coffee. For supper, too, we sometimes got fruit, whenever it was obtainable in the town. After meals Alexei had to rest while we others went downstairs again.
Before tea, which we drank in Papa's study, Alexei got a history lesson from Papa.
We also built ourselves a small terrace above the orangery, with steps leading up to it, and there we enjoyed sitting in the sun.

Seems like AA had a very correct description of life in Tobolsk. Wonder where she got that from....

[Anna was Franziska]

Obviously, AA or one of her coach/supporters had access to the book, published in 1920.

[Stepan]

It sounds like she had read the book! Like she read it from a manuscript. It´s strange that someone could remember such details so many years afterwards. Too good to be true. And she often complained about her bad memory! I´m sure AA read a lot and had in fact a very good memory

[Anna was Franziska]

Yes, the paraphrasing is just too close to the direct wording of the book. I give her a D for not doing a good enough job of putting it in her own words.

[OlgaNikolaievna]

Oh she read that book! Her comments are right out of the book there is no question. This is only more evidence that Anna got her information from books. I don't care if she read it or somebody else read it and told her to say it. Her story came from Last Days of the Romanovs.

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by Anna was Franziska

Obviously, AA or one of her coach/supporters had access to the book, published in 1920.

Which one? Wilton's? Or the collaboration with Wilton, Sokolov and Telberg?

[Anna was Franziska]

Originally Posted by Russophile

Which one? Wilton's? Or the collaboration with Wilton, Sokolov and Telberg?

This is a question for Chat, he's the one who quoted it.