Description:

José Raúl Capablanca ALS From Same Year as Disastrous 1938 AVRO Chess Tournament, With Bonus Signed Envelope

A 2pp autograph letter in French signed by Cuban former world chess champion José Raúl Capablanca (1888-1942), as "Raúl" verso near the top. Written in Havana, Cuba on April 12, 1938 on both sides of "Union Club / Habana" stationery. With the matching "Union Club" original transmittal envelope engrossed by Capablanca, and additionally signed by him as "J.R. Capablanca" in the lower left corner recto. The letter shows expected wear, including light flattened folds, else near fine. 6.25" x 9.875." The envelope postmarked from Havana, Cuba bears a cancelled stamp and is letter-opened at left. Accompanied by a complete English translation.

José Raúl Capablanca, who was the world chess champion between 1921-1927, wrote this letter to his future wife Olga Chubarova Chagodaev (1898-1994). (The two were married six months later, in October 1938.) In the letter, Capablanca mentions that he believes his health is improving. He is almost certainly referring to his hypertension, a medical condition not correctly diagnosed until two years later. Capablanca's severely elevated high blood pressure contributed to his death caused by a cerebral hemorrhage in 1942.

Translated in full:

"April 12 /938.

"My dear Kikiriki:

Just a few lines to tell you that things seem to be working out in a favorable way.

You will surely have already received the check from Victor.

Today I received a few lines from Diamond to whom I had written about another deal. Find out about what I was asking you in my last letter.

My health is apparently getting better. I have not yet been to Varadero [a beach resort town located about 145 km east of Havana.] Maybe in one or two weeks if I can get away from Havana I will go there for a few days.

Lately, it has been cold here for the last two days. I hope that you had a good time in N.Y.

I had your last letter regarding the coat and the cape. You do well to keep them in 'storage.'

See you soon my dear,
All yours,
Raúl."

Capablanca's hypertension impaired his ability to concentrate at the AVRO Chess Tournament held in the Netherlands seven months later, from November 6 - November 27, 1938, and nearly killed him. He finished seventh of eighth after losing three games during the second half of the tournament. Capablanca's poor health effectively destroyed his dreams of regaining the world chess championship.

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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