Eddie Rickenbacker
NY and Texas, ca. 1947 to 1952
5 Eddie Rickenbacker TLS " America again for Americans - regardless of color, creed or party"
Archive

A collection of five typed Christmas letters signed by Eddie Rickenbacker, with excellent content. Each measures 7.25" x 10.5", New York and Hunt, Texas, dated 1947 to 1952. All are signed "Eddie" and are addressed to Cory Adams of the New York World-Telegram and Sun. In his letters, Rickenbacker shares his views on post-WWII America, relations with foreign powers, the threat of Communism, the Korean War, and more. The 1951 letter has a carbon copy of Adams' December 20th letter to Rickenbacker, in which he says "Christmas just would not be Christmas without one of your inspiring letters. My family looks forward to them as much as I do because they always seem to add so much more to the real Christmas spirit?" All have light wear and minor soiling but are boldly signed. Overall, very fine. Please view the photographs for further condition information.

Highlights from each letter include:
Christmas, 1947: "?Today, instead of tranquility we have turmoil, not only here at home, but among the peoples of the world. Turmoil, resulting from the suffering and strife of World War II brought about by the selfishness and greed of a few. Turmoil and strife caused by our failure to realize the value of six days of work and one day of rest, for there is nothing wrong with America or the world that work will not cure?Unless we in America and the peoples of the world rededicate ourselves to the full appreciation that progress and prosperity can only continue by producing an honest day's labor for an honest day's pay, we cannot help but return to the slavery of the dark ages with the consequent misery for mankind as a whole?"
Christmas, 1949: "?A philosophy alien and foreign to our American way of life, liberties and freedoms is penetrating the hearts and souls of our men and women of this land, namely, something for nothing, or more for less. If we continue on this highway of alien philosophy and do not rededicate ourselves to the obligations and responsibilities that go with the heritage of citizenship in this great land of ours, these United States, with all of its glorious history and present prestige will follow the road to ruin as other great empires have throughout the ages. Let us not blame the government nor the so-called rich, but place the blame where it rightfully belongs - on we, the people, who must bear the brunt of the suffering eventually, if we continue to let selfishness, greed and indifference and responsibility for looting our treasury because, and I repeat, we want something for nothing, or more for less without being willing to earn it?"
Christmas, 1950: "?The Communists jolted us out of our complacency during the past summer into a realization of how far down the wrong highway we had drifted. With this rude awakening, billions upon billions have been appropriated for national defense and actual war in Korea, bringing about a garrison or armed neutrality state here at home?As Americans and patriots, we can well afford a lower standard of living for the benefit of the generations to come and the retention of our American Way of Life, but no penalties or consequences would, or could, justify the loss of any of our liberties or freedoms?"
Christmas, 1951: "?There is the 'hot' war in Korea with thousands of the flower of our youth being killed or maimed for life, to say nothing of it costing untold billions of the wealth of we, the people, of these United States. Then there is the 'cold' war with Communism in many parts of the world, as well as the 'cold' war at home with the Communists and their fellow travelers, who have dedicated themselves to the destruction of our American Way of Life?"
Christmas, 1952: "America again for Americans - regardless of color, creed or party - from every large city, hamlet, farm and section of our great land!...Since the people from the 'South' have broken, at least temporarily, their traditional 'solidity' to support his crusade, General Eisenhower has the further responsibility of working with, and giving proper recognition in our national government, to the great American leaders below the Mason Dixon Line?"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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7.25" x 10.5"