Lot 198
Reagan, Ronald. Typed Letter Signed "Ronnie," 2½pp, 11x8½", n.p., 6 Nov. 1945. Fine. Written while Reagan was still a Democrat to columnist Walter Winchell, the most powerful and feared journalist of his time, regarding a speech in a Los Angeles high school by the hate-monger agitator and propagandist Gerald L.K. Smith. "…The re-birth of Naxiism is apparently to take place in Los Angeles. Our old friend, Gerald L.K. Smith, has been holding out here for several weeks…." Reagan says that Smith is in tight with the Los Angeles City administration and that, in an effort to prevent Smith from speaking, he, Eddie Cantor, Harpo Marx, and members of "500 civic and religious organizations appeared before the School Board to prove Gerald was subversive." Smith charged them all, as well as servicemen from the American Veterans Committee, with being communists, and Smith was allowed to speak at the high school where "The police bravely assualted the high school kids and managed to arrest about 20."
Reagan almost chortles as he describes how the audience booed Smith: "…the acoustics must have been pretty bad. All anyone could hear were the 'boo's of a very disrespectful audience. We had five rows of servicement right down in front reading newspapers….When it finally became apparent that Gerald's needle had stuck and all he could say was 'Communist', our hand-picked audience rose cheerfully, 'Heiled' him and adjourned to the Olympic Auditorium where a meeting was held under the auspices of the Mobilization for Democracy…." Reagan, who was obviously hoping for national coverage of this event from his friend, tells Winchell to call him collect at home for more information. A note in pencil from Winchell to Reagan is at the top of the first page. Ironically, Winchell would be brought down by his support for Senator Joe McCarthy. A most interesting Reagan letter.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
Forbes Collection.
|
| |
| Unsold |
