Description:

Getty J. Paul

J. Paul Getty Letter With His Blood on The Streets Mentality During The Great Depression, Leading to Massive Wealth Growth

 

In the midst of the Great Depression, Getty was buying up all he could: "It is the opportunity of a lifetime to get oil companies for practically nothing".

 

Eight page autograph letter signed, on American Express stationery consisting of two bi-folds. Penned heavily on all sides. Dated "June 7, 193…" (date is unclear, however the letter content shows this was written prior to the end of the Great Depression, and the postmark on the envelope is dated 1932). The letter was written to his mother, and signed by J. Paul Getty as 'Your loving son, Paul". 5.25" x 8.25" Accompanied by the original autographed mailing envelope posted from Paris, France, "1932".

 

A very revealing letter in which J.Paul Getty literally describes in detail not only his business acumen, but how he navigated the Great Depression, and how he planned to seek opportunities during this period, opportunities which would allow him and the family to survive, thrive and grow the business during the economic storm following the crash of 1929. His incredible letter is shown below which essentially became the launching pad for the success of Getty Oil. This extraordinary letter is shown in full below:

 

"Dearest Mama,

 

I got your letter a few days ago and it gave me such pleasure to hear from you. I believe you closed and signed the letter in your own handwriting. That was nice of you. Do be sure to use your lamp regularly and watch what you eat.

 

I am glad to be over here because it is a rest for me. You have no idea what a slave driving job it is for me in Los Angeles. If I could not get away half the time I think I would have a nervous breakdown. That is why I love to travel and be abroad. It is also good for my business because I have more time to think and plan and council the policy of the business and am not constantly harassed by petty things.

 

The oil business is in my opinion now in as sound a position as any other industry. I believe the tariff will help us a great deal.

 

I am living quietly here-just taking a rest. I have my new La Salle and enjoy driving around the city and the many beautiful places nearby. Do you remember the many beautiful drives we made around Paris just five years ago? I am so glad you and papa made the trip. I am writing this just across the street from the Grand Hotel. I can imagine myself back in 1927 when we were all together here and the thought makes me lonesome.

 

I think of papa very often and try as much as I can, with my many limitations and imperfections, to be like him. In business I am trying to do as he would have done when he was in his prime. I have made some mistakes, but we are nevertheless in a very sound position, and we are also not asleep or hiding in the storm cellar- we are active and we are not losing the prominent place in the oil business that papa left.

 

Our Pacific Western could be sold today for more than we paid for it. With the exception of 26000 shares of Seaboards Oil we are not carrying any stocks nor do I believe that we have ever lost any money in the stocks we bought for investment- we sold them out long ago before the big decline.

 

My policy is to not buy any stocks or bonds for investment-keep our money in the banks and in short term paper. However we must realize that as we are not buying any leases or drilling any wells that we must compensate for this weakening of our position by either resuming buying leases and drilling or else buying oil property and production by buying stock in producing companies. I am doing this because it is safer and much cheaper. We can buy properties much cheaper than we can develop them. This is because we can buy them for 10 cents on the dollar as compared to the normal prices- but drilling still costs almost as much as ever. In other words we are foolish to buy leases + drill. I do not intend to borrow any more money. I intend to pay as always all bills promptly and to keep always $100,000 in the bank. You understand that now that we are not drilling we don't need anything like as much money in the bank as we used to when we were frilling 10 or 20 or 30 wells. Our cash monthly surplus I intend to reinvest in oil properties as long as present bargain prices continue. When the Depression is over we will be stronger and larger than in 1929-more assets and more production. As we are not borrowing any money and keep all bills paid and a good cash balance we can not get into any trouble. If we do not take this opportunity of buying oil production and properties at ridiculously low prices to the extent that we conservatively can we had better retire from business. This was never papa's policy. He was always hitting the ball and that made him a great business man. One thing he did not like and that was borrowing money. I agree with him. It is not necessary for us ever again to borrow money or to let our bank balance fall below $100,000 but subject to these reservations I believe and am expanding our business. It is the opportunity of a lifetime to get oil companies for practically nothing. I am gradually acquiring control of the Associated Oil Co. If present low prices continue for another year I will have control-if they go up and get away from bargain counter we will not have control but then we will have an important interest and a big profit. The associated Oil has no bonds or bank loans- has $11,000,000 cash in bank + the stock is $2 per share - was $30.

 

Well dearest, must close, your loving son. Paul"

 

A fantastic letter with Getty displaying the same verve reminiscent of a Baron Rothschild quote "the time to buy is when there's blood in the streets." (Rothschild made a fortune buying in the panic that followed the Battle of Waterloo against Napoleon)

 

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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