Description:

Ronald Reagan
[Sacramento, CA], n.d. but probably mid or late 1974
Ronald Reagan As CA Gov. Invites Eureka College Alumni To West Coast Reunion - 230+ Words
ALS

A 1p autograph letter signed by future 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), then nearing the end of his tenure as Governor of California, as "RR" near bottom center. N.d. but probably mid or late 1974. [Sacramento, California.] Inscribed with approximately 230 words in Reagan's hand, in blue ink on a leaf of yellow red-ruled and blue-lined paper, with copious original cross-out and rewrite edits, being a draft for a later typed letter. Reagan has also likely made the annotation in black felt tip pen near the top as "Draft form / 300 sets of stationery." Expected wear including gentle scattered wrinkles, particularly near the upper right edge, else near fine. 8" x 12.5." Impeccable provenance as 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.

Governor Reagan extended an invitation to West Coast alumni of northern Illinois' Eureka College, his alma mater, to attend an upcoming event on November 30, [1974] at the Grand Hotel in Anaheim, California. Reagan, who served as Governor of California from 1967-1975, had imminent plans to leave Sacramento and embark on a new exciting career as a conservative radio commentator.

Reagan graduated from Eureka College (Eureka, Illinois) in 1932, where he received a degree in economics and sociology. Not the greatest of students, Reagan was instead incredibly involved in extracurricular activities and student life. In addition to playing guard on the Red Devils Eureka College football team, he was captain and coach of the college swim team and tried his hand at cheerleading. He worked multiple college jobs including serving as a life guard and washing dishes at his college fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, where he later served as frat president. Reagan was also president of student government and participated in a faculty-overturning student strike. As the alumni letter demonstrates, Reagan had very fond memories of his time as a Eureka College Red Devil.

California newspapers ran the story of the Eureka College reunion in Anaheim under titles such as "Reagan in Reunion of College Chums." This November 30, 1974 dinner was the only event which Governor Reagan planned for Thanksgiving week.

Reagan wrote (with original usage):

"Dear ____

I dont know how recently you might have visited 'neath the Elms upon the campus' or whether your only memories are those you have of under graduate days. My own have been bolstered by fairly recent visits and I can say much remains the same yet much has changed.

There has been purges and growth but something indefinable remains as it was. The venerable semi-circle of buildings beginning with Burgess Hall are still there but others have been added. There are dormitories, a dining hall and a field house complete with Olympic size pool.

If you were there when Red Devils won moral instead of actual athletic victories it will come as a pleasant shock to know that Eureka regularly wins the conference swimming championship and has first had one of last years running backs picked up by the Green Bay Packers of the Nat. Football League.

Well all of this is by way of telling you we are having a Eureka reunion in Calif. It will be a dinner on the night of Nov. 30th at the Grand Hotel next door to Disneyland in Anaheim in case you'd like to come for longer than just for dinner.

This letter requires no answer. You'll be hearing from the committee with full details shortly. I hope you can make it and I'll look forward to seeing you.

Best Regards
RR."

The full November 30, 1974 Eureka College reunion event schedule can be seen in a State of California memorandum dated November 27, 1974, which is accessible through the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum (see a copy attached for reference.) The tentative schedule shows Governor and First Lady Reagan arriving at the Grand Hotel in Anaheim at 5:30pm in order to attend a 30-minute reception. At dinner, the Reagans sat at a table with Eureka College President Ira W. Langston, as well as older brother Neil Reagan (Class of 1933) and sister-in-law Bess Reagan. Reagan gave brief remarks from 7:35 to 7:50pm, following a slide or film show.

After his 1932 graduation, Reagan visited the Eureka College campus some 12 times, including notably in May 1982, when he delivered the college Commencement Address as President of the United States. Reagan was a loyal Eureka College booster, as this gubernatorial letter demonstrates.

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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