Description:

Stroud Robert

Robert Stroud, "Birdman of Alcatraz" 2x signed ALS on bird leukemia & interstate transport of birds

Robert Stroud, "Birdman of Alcatraz" 2x signed ALS on bird leukemia and interstate transport of birds: "Well, you know that in anything of that kind, I am tops  … "

 

2pp ALS on blue-lined cream paper inscribed overall and signed in blue fountain pen by "Birdman of Alcatraz" Robert F. Stroud (1890-1963) as "Bob, Robert Stroud, #594" at center of second page. Stroud has filled out the partially printed letterhead with his name, prisoner number, and address as "Robert Stroud, P.M.B. 594, Alcatraz, California" in upper left corner of first page. Stamped "P.B.O." in upper right corner. In near fine condition, with expected paper folds. Minor paperclip rust impressions located in upper right corner verso. Each page measures 7.875" x 10.375".

 

Self-educated ornithologist and federal prisoner Robert Stroud penned this letter in elegant and uniform script from his Alcatraz Prison cell on December 9, 1947. His regular correspondent "Fred E. Daw, 28 Majorca Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida" was a fellow bird enthusiast, and the two exchanged personal pleasantries and then talked shop.

 

In paragraph 4, Stroud described how opponents of a recent federal law concerning the interstate transport of exotic birds had sought his advice as an expert witness. Stroud is clearly very proud of his reputation as an ornithologist, cultivated after over twenty years of study.

 

"You may or may not know about the recent order barring the shipment of psyttacine [psittacine] birds in interstate commerce. Well there is a big champaign [sic] going on to defeat the order, All-Pets is backing the campaign. For some unknown reason, ACM is not. Well, you know that in anything of that kind, I am tops, & They sent to me for certain information and I was not only able to supply what they asked for, but a critical analysis of the position of the proponents of the measure which is devastating. You see, as a research ? I know all the techniques employed in demonstrating this, or any other, disease, and I know their weak points. I think that I have been able to supply their most effect [sic] weapon, and Marc tells me that they are very grateful. And, natural [sic] being very sure of myself and of a rather positive character, I am never afraid to back word with my life …"

 

We can draw some conclusions about the context of Stroud's letter by reading between the lines. Proponents of the law argued that the unrestricted transport of psittacine birds (parrots and other tropical species) accelerated the spread of infectious diseases. Stroud later mentions psittacosis, or parrot fever, a disease caused by bacterial infection. Opponents of the law included publishers of a monthly animal interest magazine called All-Pets, who probably supported the unrestricted breeding, supply, and sale of domestic pets.

 

In paragraph 8, Stroud wrote: "You remember the treatment I gave Dr. Durant in my book on the Leukemia question. My analysis of D. Meyer was equally incomplimentary [sic], and I had much more his writing before me." Stroud's "book" referred to either his 1933 Diseases of Canaries or the 1943 second edition reprint called Stroud's Digest on the Diseases of Birds. In these books, Stroud examined the causes, symptoms, and treatment of common bird diseases. "Dr. Durant" likely referred to ornithologist Adrian Jackson Durant, who published work on roup, leukemia, and infectious diseases in chickens, turkeys, and quail. One wonders if Stroud the autodidact disapproved of or admired ornithologists with doctorate degrees like "Dr. Durant" and "Dr. Meyer".

 

Robert Stroud spent 54 years in prison, 42 of which were in solitary confinement. After his initial 1909 arrest for manslaughter, Stroud compounded his sentence by assaulting fellow inmates and staff, as well as by killing a prison guard in 1916. Stroud's interest in birds began as an inmate of Leavenworth Prison in Kansas, when he rehabilitated a trio of sparrows. Stroud later became obsessed with canaries and was granted permission to run a canary breeding business out of his jail cell.

 

By the time he was transferred to Alcatraz Prison in mid-December 1942, Stroud was prohibited from caring for or selling birds. Instead, he devoted his energies to learning French, studying the law, and more writing, including a history of the American prison system.

 

A remarkable ALS from the "Birdman of Alcatraz" discussing his reputation as an ornithologist!

 

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