Description:

Clinton, Bill (1946- ) Presidential ALS in full: President Clinton writes to his half-brother!

Rare Autograph Letter Signed "Bill Clinton" as President, on 6.25" x 4.25" card gilt embossed with the presidential seal at top left and, next to it, "THE PRESIDENT". [The White House, Washington], January 26, 1995. With original 6.5" x 4.5" postmarked White House envelope addressed by typewriter to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Leon Ritzenthaler, Paradise, California. Fine condition.

In full, "Dear Leon & Judy - Thanks for your card. It was great to see you - I'm sorry it was rushed and I was a bit pre-occupied with business, but I'm very glad we finally got together. Bless you both."

Henry Leon Ritzenthaler (1938-2009) was born in Sherman, Texas on June 17, 1938, to Adele Coffelt and William Jefferson Blythe who were divorced at the time. After their divorce in 1935, Adele Coffelt moved to California but visited her ex-husband on occasion. Ritzenthaler was conceived on one of these visits. Blythe only met his son when he was an infant. Blythe later married Virginia Cassidy and had a son William Jefferson Blythe. Their son went on to take the name William Jefferson Clinton. Adele Coffelt married Charles Ritzenthaler and her son took his name out of respect for the man who raised him. In June 1993, a Washington Post reporter discovered Leon was a half-brother of Bill Clinton and the President contacted him.

Family letters of Presidents, especially those signed in full, are rarely encountered.

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