Description:

Ronald Reagan
n.p., August, 1981
Reagan Writes: "After reading the article, I now have an excuse for getting to the ranch more often", to his Presidential Collection Manager
ALS
An autograph note letter signed "RR" penned at the conclusion of a typed letter sent to Reagan's secretary Helene von Damm by Molly Sturges Tuthill of the Hoover Institution, who managed the Reagan Collection there. The letter, 1p., 8.5" x 11", Stanford, August 27, 1981, forwards three items, namely: "…a letter we came across in the campaign correspondence of Jim Brady's surgeon, Dr. [Arthur] Kobrine, to the Governor. The other is an article from the Los Angeles Times concerning a book researched and written by a Santa Barbara woman on the President's Irish ancestry and a copy of a Dublin book review…I thought he might find the articles of interest…". Light wrinkling and wear to the edges, and otherwise in very good condition. Impeccable provenance: this item comes from the files of Helene von Damm (b. 1938), Reagan's longtime personal secretary and later Ambassador to Austria, gifted to our consignor, her White House assistant.

At top, Reagan instructs von Damm: "I think we should thank her," then writes a note at the bottom to be typed and sent. In full: "Dear Molly, Thank for sending me the article about Mrs. White & the letter from Dr. Kobrine. After reading the article, I now have an excuse for getting to the ranch more often. I'm glad you are in charge of my collection and appreciate all you do. Again, thanks & Best Regards RR."

When Reagan's Press Secretary Jim Brady walked into the line of fire during an assassination attempt of Reagan by John Hinckley, Jr. even his neurosurgeon Arthur Kobrine did not think he would make it. "It was a devastating injury," Kobrine said. "Brady was so badly wounded that I thought he wasn't going to survive when I saw him in the emergency room, and everyone thought that." After rushing Brady into surgery, Kobrine was informed that news networks were reporting that he had in fact died. Kobrine replied without looking up from his work: "No one has told Mr. Brady or me that." A complex, six and a half hour surgery by Kobrine and his staff saved Brady's life.

At the same time that Brady was fighting for his life, Reagan was being treated for a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite his pain and fright, he quipped to Nancy when she arrived at his side: "Honey, I forgot to duck." Reagan again joked that he hoped his doctors were Republicans. Dr. Joseph Giordano, a liberal Democrat who was in the operating room said: "Today we're all Republicans, Mr. President." Life-surgery was performed and later, in post-op, the "great communicator" and former movie star wrote a note saying he'd like to shoot the whole scene over, beginning at the hotel.

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 11"
  • Medium: ALS

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