Description:

Ronald Reagan
n.p., n.d.
Ronald Reagan ALS As Pres. - Explains His Party Switch, Adds "You won't wind up on any hit lists..."
ALS

Fine content autograph letter signed with initials "R.R", [n.p., n.d.]. On lined yellow notepad paper, as was his custom, to Mr. Wells. 1p. 8.5" x 11". A bit rough at top from tearing from pad, otherwise very good. 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 gifted to our consignor, her White House assistant.

In part: "…Have no fear, you won't wind up on any hit lists. I'm grateful to you for solving a puzzle. I couldn't for the life of me see how a cancelled check could be anywhere but in my possession…

You might be interested to know that 'Americans for Dem. Action' started out after WWII to be an in house group of Dem. party members to combat the influence in the party of the left wing. Someplace along the line it lost it's [sic] meanings. In fact my disillusionment contributed to my switch…".

Reagan was originally a Democrat and ardent New Deal supporter, but became increasingly conservative in the 1950s despite his admiration for Franklin D. Roosevelt, who he called "a true hero." The change in mindset has been described as based on fiscal and anti-Communist concerns stemming from Reagan's experience as union president of the Screen Actors Guild, during which he witnessed first-hand the violent tactics of the labor movement - including an alleged threat to throw acid in his face.

Some historians also suggest the party change was galvanized by his marriage to Nancy Davis, whose family was political conservative. Finally, Reagan's views turned more right during his job as spokesman for GE in the late 1950s -- but he delayed actually switching parties until after the 1960 election because he wanted to campaign as a "Democrat for Nixon."

Reagan formally broke with the Democrats in 1962. He famously said: "I didn't leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me."

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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April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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