The copy is inscribed by Andersen to the Danish author and feminist Axelline Lund (1836-1918). Lund was a close friend of Andersen and is frequently mentioned in his diaries. From 1898 through 1904, Lund taught Italian at the Royal Academy of Arts in Copenhagen. According to Andersen's diary (24 August 1874), Lund was supposed to translate the work into Italian, and the present copy was sent to her for this purpose: "Da jeg ikke fandt 'Improvisatoren' bestemt for Fru Lund, som vil oversætte den naar hun kommer til Italian, skrev jeg til Reitzel om et Exemplar." ('Since I couldn't find a copy of 'Improvisatoren' for Mrs Lund, who wishes to translate it when she goes to Italy, I asked Reitzel [the editor] for a copy.')