Lot 99

Ronald Reagan As Pres. Writes Sister Marie Madeline of Saint John's Hospital, 50+ Words In His Hand

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Ronald Reagan As Pres. Writes Sister Marie Madeline of Saint John's Hospital, 50+ Words In His Hand

Estimate: $300 - $400

Current Bid: $120

(2 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Ronald Reagan
[Washington, DC], n.d.
Ronald Reagan As Pres. Writes Sister Marie Madeline of Saint John's Hospital, 50+ Words In His Hand
ALS

A 1p autograph letter signed by sitting 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) as "RR" near upper center. N.d. [Washington, DC] Inscribed in pencil on a leaf of yellow red-ruled and blue-lined legal sized paper. The approximate word count is 53 words in Reagan's hand. With one contemporaneous edit - a cross-out in the third sentence. This letter draft was later typed, signed, and sent to the recipient. Expected wear including gentle scattered wrinkles/negligible edge folds, else near fine. 7.875" 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.

President Reagan wrote this letter to Sister Marie Madeline Shonka (1925-2025), a Catholic nun, registered nurse, and longtime hospital administrator and C.E.O. of St. John's Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Established in 1942 as a Catholic hospital, Saint John's still operates today, but under new leadership and name, as the Providence Saint John's Health Center. Sister Marie very capably oversaw the hospital for over four decades, from ca. 1971-2010. During this time, the hospital became a well-respected medical facility as well as a beloved community hub. While the hospital's patients often included many Hollywood celebrities, its mission statement prioritized serving the area poor and homeless.

Reagan wrote in part (with original usage):

"Dear Sister Marie Madeleine

Thank you for your kind letter and generous words. It was good to hear from you. I appreciate your inviting me to be an honorary member of the board and am happy to accept.

Nancy sends her best regards as do I and again - thank you.

Sincerely

RR."

Hospital archive photographs suggest that Reagan and Sister Marie Madeline likely met while Reagan was still Governor of California. Their paths would cross again when Reagan was in the White House: the President prepared taped remarks for an Anti-Defamation League Dinner Dance Honoring Sister Marie Madeline held on January 14, 1988. After he left office, Reagan and Nancy served as honorary co-chairs of the Saint John's Hospital Magic Crystal Ball fundraiser, in October 1989, which generated $1 million for the health center. Interestingly, Saint John's Health Center was where Reagan was admitted in January 2001 after a fall resulting in a broken hip.

Sister Marie Madeline belonged to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas for 77 years. The organization's mission statement posted on their website states: "With a rich history and a compelling mission, we, the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, are a joyful and compassionate community of religious women who are committed to seeking God through service to all His people, especially those who are underserved and neglected." Reagan's father was Roman Catholic, although he, Reagan, was raised in accordance with his mother's Protestant faith, the Disciples of Christ. Sister Marie Madeline died at age 99 in April 2025.

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: 7.875" x 12.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000