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Lot 214
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Charles Lindbergh's Wife & Daughter, 4 Handwritten Letters to Family Friend
Charles Lindbergh's Wife & Daughter, 4 Handwritten Letters to Family Friend
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Description:

Charles Lindbergh
various, ca. 1951-1974
Charles Lindbergh's Wife & Daughter, 4 Handwritten Letters to Family Friend
Archive
[Charles A. Lindbergh]. A collection of four handwritten letters from Anne and Reeve Lindbergh to neighbor and family friend John Oldrin, comprising, in chronological order:

1.) Anne Lindbergh. Autograph Letter Signed, "Anne", 1p, on a winter themed bifold notecard measuring 4.5" x 3.25", no place, February 5, 1951. Accompanied by the original envelope addressed to "Mr John Oldrin" in Anne's hand. Expected wear to envelope, with toning and a few spots of soiling. The boldly written letter with just a bit of toning and edge wear is in fine condition and reads in full:

"I know this isn't enough and I don't know how to thank you for letting Scott, Anne, Miss Knobel & I be children for a whole afternoon we won't any of us forget it. I send you a poem I wrote once on the importance of remaining a child! *you don't need to be reminded of it!"

Both Anne and John Oldrin shared a deep love of children and for writing children's stories. Both would go on to write a series of successful children's books

2.) Anne Lindbergh. Autograph Letter Signed, "Anne M. L.", 2pp, on a decorative French fold notecard measuring 3.5" x 4.5", no place, April 9, 1951. Accompanied by the original envelope addressed to "Mr John Oldrin" in Anne's hand. Envelope shows expected toning, soiling, and creasing and is missing the seal flap. The very boldly written letter with light toning and minor creases is in near fine condition and reads in full:

"It is rare that anything in life is just perfect. But the budding magnolia branch in this vase was. It came in a time 'In darkest February' (Far worse than darkest Africa!) when the trees were bare – and I could not even smell the blossoms! I return late but with gratitude for that February moment – your vase!"

3.) Reeve Lindbergh. Autograph Letter Signed, "Reeve", 2pp, on one sheet of light blue stationery measuring 5.75" x 8.25", Vaud, Switzerland, no date, but March 24, 1961 based on postmark. Accompanied by the matching light blue envelope addressed in Anne Lindbergh's hand to "John Oldrin", as well as the original Air Mail envelope, addressed in Reeve's hand. The Air Mail envelope is signed on verso, "R.L.", in the return address. Light toning and wear to both envelopes. The letter with an uneven left edge and expected mailing folds is in near fine condition and reads in full:

"If I knew how to write welcome letters to people like John Wood Oldrin, I would have written him long ago, but I've tried, and I can't. So I wish you'd let him know I made an effort, and I want to say welcome, and see if he'll let me get away with that. I agree, it's terrible manners, but I did try. I wish I were home to meet him, but fairly soon I will be. John and I have the same luck. We're both birthday presents. It's been fun for me, I hope it is for him. I'm sure it will be.

Here in Switzerland Spring is really coming, and it's very sad for us skiiers, who have to start packing away the skiis and talking about something else...Water skiing? The skiing has been wonderful this year. Beautiful deep snow, long runs, wonderful weather. But I think there was more snow in New York this winter than there will ever be in the Swiss Alps! Last Wednesday afternoon (the school skiis all afternoon on Wednesday) I got an unbelievable sunburn which kept me in the house for four days. It was worth it though! In Switzerland you come to practically breathe skiing. No one talks of anything else. Maybe I can interest Round Meadows' future 'Uncle John Jr.'? He'd probably be wonderful on skiis! Give my love to your family & everybody."

Reeve Morrow Lindbergh (b.1945) was the youngest of the Lindbergh's six children. She graduated from Radcliffe College and went on to become an author of children's books, much like her mother and her family friend, John Oldrin.

4.) Anne Lindbergh. Autograph Letter Signed, "Anne", 3pp, on a deckled edge, bifold notecard measuring 5" x 3.75", Darien, Connecticut, June 28, 1974. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope postmarked same. Envelope is addressed to "Mr John Oldrin" in Anne's hand and has light wear. The letter, written just two months before the death of Charles Lindbergh, is in fine condition and reads in full:

"I want to thank you first of all for the beautiful tribute you wrote in the Danish Review of Gladys Burch. It said everything for all of us and was a perfect gem of unfulsome, truthful and well-written appreciation. She would have been delighted. And us are all grateful to you for stating it so well. Thank you also for keeping us up to date on the tidal and marshland situation. Charles is still in the hospital - much better but has occasional fever and they want to get it stabilized before he comes home. He will want to see your report.

I have been terribly busy - working all day at my manuscript - correcting & editing & notes - except when I go to see Charles at the Hospital. However, I do get out at the end of the afternoon sometimes and over the weekend. Reeve "Lizzabee" and I made several excursions to your pond to look at the ducklings. We didn't always see them, tried not to frighten them - but "Lizzabee" tends to feel all animals & birds are our family and calls loudly to them in a clear bell-like tone! My thanks for all kindnesses."

Charles Lindbergh spent the majority of his last years on the Hawaiian island of Maui. He died two months after this letter was sent, in Hawaii, at the age of 72 after suffering from lymphoma.

Anne Spencer Morrow Lindbergh (1906-2001) was an American writer and aviatrix. She graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1928, married decorated pioneer aviator Charles Lindbergh in 1929, and in 1930 became the first woman to receive a U.S. glider pilot license. Throughout the early 1930s, she served as radio operator and copilot to Charles on multiple exploratory flights and aerial surveys.

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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