Description:

Ronald Reagan
[Washington, D.C.], ca. May 1981-June 1982
Ronald Reagan 2 ALSs Thanking Monsignor Spain For Prayers After Assassination Attempt! - 320+ Words Total
ALSs

Two 1p autograph letters signed by sitting 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), both as "RR." N.d. but ca. May 1981-June 1982. [Washington, D.C.] Inscribed in black ink on two yellow blue-lined red-ruled paper sheets, each with a perforated top edge. The combined approximate word count for the two letters is 324 words inscribed in Reagan's hand, with several original scattered edits in pen including cross-outs. These letter drafts were later typed, signed, and sent to the recipient. Expected light wear such as gentle wrinkles and a few bent or chipped edges. The reverse of the first letter has isolated toning/darkening along the left and bottom edges not visible from the front. Else near fine. Both letters measure 8.5" x 11." Impeccable provenance as these item come from the files of Helene von Damm (b. 1938), Reagan's longtime personal secretary and later Ambassador to Austria, and gifted to our consignor, her White House assistant.

President Reagan wrote these two letters to Monsignor William Dale Spain (1929-1993), the pastor of the St. James Catholic Church in Solana Beach, in southern California. In them, Reagan thanks Spain for having performed his pastoral duties so faithfully and for so long. He also thanks Spain and the members of his congregation for their prayers following Reagan's near assassination in March 1981, as well as for their continued good wishes during Reagan's presidency. Reagan's father was Roman Catholic, although he, Reagan, was raised in accordance with his mother's faith, the Disciples of Christ.

Excerpt from the first letter (with original usage):

"I know that on May 17 you celebrate the Silver Jubilee of your priesthood in the Diocese of San Diego. May I join all the others who will be congratulating you and more importantly thanking you for a quarter of a century of dedicated service to God & to your fellow man.

You have so much to be proud of; Founding Vice President of the U. of San Diego; Founding pastor of St. Marks in San Marcos and now for these past dozen years pastor of St. James the Greater.

Please accept my congratulations and best wishes for many more years of continued service. Know also how very grateful I am for your prayers and the prayers of the congregation of St. James the Greater in my behalf during those days & weeks following March 30th. I believe with all my heart those prayers were heard.

Give my warm regards to Bishop Maher and again my congratulations and heart felt thanks to you…"

Excerpt from the second letter (with original usage):

"Only a short time ago I wrote to congratulate you on the Silver Jubilee of your Priesthood; on twenty five years of devotion to God & your fellow man.

Today only 2 months into your 26th year I write to congratulate you and your congregation on the dedication of the new Church of St. James the Greater. How proud you all must be and with such good reason.

While I have not seen this new house of worship I've told of it's beauty and of it's faithfulness to the traditions of Calif., Traditions based on the founding of Calif. by the Franciscan Fathers.

Please give my warm regards to Bishop Maher. Thank you again for your prayers in my behalf and again my congratulations on this most memorable occasion…"

Reagan had been shot and nearly killed by deranged gunman John Hinckley, Jr. (born 1955) outside of a Washington, D.C. hotel on March 30, 1981. Hinckley's sixth shot had ricocheted off the presidential limousine, grazing a rib and penetrating Reagan's left lung, causing it to partially collapse, and stopping less than 1" from Reagan's heart. Three others were seriously wounded in the shooting. Reagan was rushed to the emergency room at George Washington Hospital where the surgeons saved his life.

Reagan's correspondent Monsignor William Dale Spain served as the pastor of St. James Catholic Church in Solana Beach, California from 1969 until 1984. Educated in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., Spain was ordained as a priest at St. Joseph Cathedral in San Diego in 1956. In 1963, Spain founded St. Mark's parish in San Marcos, California, a community in southern California located about 50 miles from the Mexican border. Spain was invested as a monsignor in 1970. He served as the first Vice President of the University of San Diego, and sat on the school's board of trustees between 1973-1984.

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: ALSs

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