Description:

Monnet Jean

Father of European Union Jean Monnet Archive

“so many things have happened that change the world – some very good as is the Chinese episode – which I think saves us for many years from a probable conflict between USSR and China – some not so good as is the development of the relations between the USA and Europe – on the other hand the Indo-chinese war seems to me to come to an end.”

This small but interesting archive of letters and other documents includes ten signatures of Jean Monnet, all in correspondence with Moselle Kimbler of the Ford Foundation. Founded by Henry Ford’s son Edsel Ford in 1936, the Ford Foundation used its resources for “scientific, educational and charitable purposes, all for the public welfare,” through making grants to many different organizations. In post-World War II Europe, the Ford Foundation made grants to European partners to help develop solutions to “common problems of industrial societies” Most grants addressed issues of arms control, international security and peace, migratory labor, and the role of parliaments in contemporary European societies. The Foundation worked closely with individuals like Jean Monnet to foster European peace, harmony, and union.

JEAN MONNET, Archive of 9 Autograph and Typed Letters Signed, to Moselle Kimbler, 1961-1971; Signed Photograph of Monnet, 1966; and pages from European Community (Nov.-Dec. 1978) with article about Monnet’s memoirs. 29 pp. + 3 envelopes, 4.75" x 6.75" to 8.25" x 11.75". Most materials in very good condition; some chipping on older typescripts; some rust from paper clips.

Jean Monnet (1888-1979) was born in France into a family of cognac merchants. At the age of sixteen, he moved to the United Kingdom as an agent for his father’s company. During World War I, he urged greater coordination of the war efforts of Britain and France. In 1919, Monnet was appointed as Deputy Secretary General of the newly created League of Nations. Frustrated by the League’s processes, Monnet resigned in 1923, and in 1925 moved to America to work with an international bank based in New York. From 1932 to 1936, he lived in China, where he helped link Chinese capital with foreign companies and reorganize Chinese railroads. In 1935, he also became a business partner of George Murnane, who had extensive international connections. During World War II, he advised many Allied political leaders. In 1950, Monnet proposed a plan to integrate French and German coal and steel industries under joint control, the first step toward a European federation. West Germany joined the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, and Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands also joined. In 1952, Monnet became the first president of the High Authority that governed the coal and steel industries. He was a driving force behind the creation of the European Economic Community (“Common Market”), and is considered one of the founding fathers of the European Union, though he never held public office.

Moselle Kimbler was an assistant to Shepard Stone (1908-1990) when he was the Director of Public Affairs for the U.S High Commissioner for Germany (HICOG), John J. McCloy. When McCloy’s tenure ended in 1952, Stone became Director of International Affairs at the Ford Foundation, and Kimbler went with him. At the Ford Foundation, Kimbler was a program assistant and Assistant Program Officer of the European and International Affairs program from 1970 to 1972. In 1981, she was an assistant to Charles W. Yost, who coordinated the Aspen/Iran Program.

Highlights and Excerpts
- Jean Monnet, Typed Letter Signed, to Moselle Kimbler, June 13, 1963, Paris.
“Will you be good enough to send to me the papers contained in the boxes which you have, in several packages whether it is six or even more. But what is important is that they should not be too heavy so that they can be sent by mail and also that the envelopes should not get broken in the course of the journey.”

- Jean Monnet, Typed Letter Signed, to Moselle Kimbler, July 18, 1964, Paris.
“I have tried to reach you on the telephone at the Keonigshof [Bonn, West Germany], but they told me that you did not come. I wonder where you are wandering in Germany. I hope that you are having a good time. I regret I will not see you.”

- Moselle Kimbler, Typed Draft, to Jean Monnet, September 17, 1964, [New York].
“I returned from Europe on July 31, having exhausted myself driving all over Scotland, Wales and England – and spending the last three days in Berlin on FF business. I left Berlin at 7:30 that morning, intending to spend part of that day in Paris. But quite honestly, I simply could not summon the energy even to telephone your office on arrival at the airport. I asked for an earlier flight and came right home.”
“Thank you so much for your letter sent to Bonn. No, that part was canceled. I was too weary to struggle with another language and currency at that point!”

- Jean Monnet, Typed Letter Signed, to Moselle Kimbler, February 14, 1967, Paris.
“I am sorry I was not in Paris when you crossed it last week. It would have been nice to see you, or to talk to you, however briefly. I still don’t know when my next visit to the United States is likely to take place – but I am looking forward to it.”

- Jean Monnet, Autograph Note Signed, to Moselle Kimbler, n.d., Paris.
“I telephoned you at about six, but you were not here. The traffic was so great that it took me about 45 minutes to come here. Now I find that you are out. I am sorry to miss you.”

- Jean Monnet, Autograph Note Signed, to Moselle Kimbler, December 10, 1971, Paris.
“I hope to go to the United States some time in the beginning of the year. I will, of course let you know in advance. However if you come this way I would be glad if you advised me before hand. Xmas and the New Year are coming. I wish you a happy year – as Xmas and New Years are too short. 1972 is going to be important to all of us – so many things have happened that change the world – some very good as is the Chinese episode – which I think saves us for many years from a probable conflict between USSR and China – some not so good as is the development of the relations between the USA and Europe – on the other hand the Indo-chinese war seems to me to come to an end. I am inclined to think that Nixon is showing real statesmanship. What do you think?”

- Jean Monnet, Typed Note Signed, to Moselle Kimbler, December 28, 1971, Paris.
“I have received your wishes for Christmas. Christmas is passed now and I propose we make the wishes now apply to next year. I hope that 1972 will be good for you, and that at last I will have the pleasure of seeing you in your America. Indeed I think that the spring will not pass without me going to New York and Washington.”

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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