Description:

Ronald Reagan
n.p., n.d.
Reagan to Brother Neil: "How come the protestants & catholics can't get along?"
ALS
A fine association autograph letter, twice signed by Reagan, first with his nickname "Dutch" and again "Reagan" at top. Penned on his customary yellow lined paper, [n.p., n.d.] in black pen. To his older brother Neil Reagan. Top margin is rough due to removal from a notepad, otherwise near fine. 1p. 8.5" x 10.75". Impeccable provenance: this item comes from the files of Helene von Damm (b. 1938), Reagan's longtime personal secretary and later Ambassador to Austria, and was gifted to our consignor, her White House assistant.

Reagan begins the letter with a directive to his secretary: "To my brother Mr. J. Neil Reagan…Put the attached letter [not present] to Rev. Msgr. Spain in the envelope with this letter to my brother. The letter to the Rev. of course should be in a separate envelope to 'The Rev. Msgr. William D. SPAIN."

He then continues with the letter itself: "Dear Moon, Enclosed is the letter for the St. James dedication. How come the protestants & catholics can't get along this well in Belfast?

I continue to improve in health although I'm aware I still have a way to go in getting back to normal with regard to endurance.

There is no point in trying to tell you any news, TV & the daily press have already told you everything I'm doing. Of course they aren't always as accurate as I'd like them to be…".

Neil Reagan (1906-1996) was a producer and the senior vice president of the accounting firm McCann Erickson. His nickname "Moon" was created after the comic strip "Moon Mullins" for his roguish and jovial personality.

Neil was proud of his younger brother's achievements and supported him along every phase in his career. In 1962, he helped obtain employment for Reagan doing a speaking tour for General Electric, and afterwards lined up a job as the host of the popular Western TV series "Death Valley Days." As a press aide to Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign, Neil was highly instrumental in arranging for Ronald Reagan to address a nationwide TV audience on behalf of the Republican ticket that year. That speech became Reagan's national political debut, and it led to him being chosen by the Republican Party of California to be their nominee for Governor in 1966. Reagan was Governor for two terms from 1966 to 1974.

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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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 10.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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