Description:

Ronald Reagan
[Washington, D.C.], [ca. April, 1981]
After Assassination Attempt, Reagan Thanks Students for Get-Well Wishes: "I wouldn't dare not get well after all the effort you put in..."
ALS

An autograph letter signed "RR" by Ronald Reagan as President. [Washington, D.C.], n.d. [ca. April, 1981]. 1p on White House notepaper addressed to the students at Lakeside Middle School via the Principal, shortly after the attempt on Reagan's life. Very good to fine. 5" x 8". Impeccable provenance: this item comes from the files of Helene von Damm (b. 1938), Reagan's longtime personal secretary and later Ambassador to Austria, gifted to our consignor, her White House assistant.

In part:
"…To…all the 600 students at Lakeside Middle School: There are no words to tell you how grateful I am for your card and your good wishes. You were more than kind to do this and you brightened my day more than a little. In fact your card continues to brighten each day and hastens my recovery. I wouldn't dare not get well after all the effort you put in.
I will see that your other card gets to Jim Brady & the others and on their behalf let me thank you also. They are all doing fine.
Again my heartfelt thanks…you've made me proud…".

At the time this letter was written, President Reagan was recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest after an attempt was made on his life by John Hinckley Jr. on March 30, 1981. He underwent emergency exploratory surgery at George Washington University Hospital, and was released on April 11th. In post-op, Reagan called upon his trademark sense of humor within this letter, commenting on the student's effort to create a Get Well card. Also mentioned by the President is his Press Secretary Jim Brady, who was also undergoing a long recovery after being struck in the head by Hinckley.

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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  • Dimensions: 5" x 8"
  • Medium: ALS

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