Description:

Hearst William

Single page ALS circa 1932,written in graphite, on orange paper stock, 5" x 7.5". Signed by William Randolph Hearst as "WRH". The top edge of the page has the number stamped of 379, along with a small piece of tape. Accompanied by a typed transcript of the letter, 8.5" x 11". Lightly creased with small staple holes.

What a difference a year makes! Offered here is an ALS from Hearst to his chief personal assistant, and fully showcases the panic displayed by WR Hearst while his empire is collapsing around him.

In the years prior, the rise of the Hearst empire began with self-made millionaire George Hearst, and then was passed down to his son, William Randolph who became owner of The San Francisco Examiner as payment of a gambling debt. In 1887, he became its publisher, crusading for civic improvement and against municipal corruption, greatly increasing the paper's circulation. Moving to New York City, he acquired The New York Journal and engaged in a circulation war with Joseph Pulitzer's New York World. That led to the creation of "yellow journalism", scandal-mongering, jingoism, and sensationalism. By the mid-1920s he had 28 newspapers, inc. the Los Angeles Examiner, the Boston American, the Detroit Times, the Washington Herald, and his flagship, the San Francisco Examiner. He wielded enormous influence, whipping up public frenzy that pushed the US into war with Spain in 1898.

These were the prosperous good years, the years of growth which continued through the 1920's. By 1924 he opened the New York Daily Mirror, a racy tabloid. Among his other holdings were: Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar magazines; Universal News and International News Service; King Features Syndicate; a film company, Cosmopolitan Productions; extensive NYC real estate; thousands of acres of land in California and Mexico; and timber and mining interests. The Hearst news empire reached a circulation and revenue peak ca. 1928, but the Depression and vast over-extension of his empire cost him control of his holdings. Unable to service existing debts, the Hearst Corporation faced court-mandated reorganization in 1937. Newspapers and other properties were liquidated, the film company shut down, and a well-publicized sale of his art and antiquities was held.

This fascinating letter is shown in full below:

"Dear Mr. Wiilicombe,

I want to get rid of all the people who are in this place - the guests I mean and possibly some of the help too. I am going to stay stop running a hotel.

Politely or impolitely, get them out. And if they do not go, then discharge the cooks and butlers, and lock up the food.

Then if they do not go, call in the constables.

WRH"

The adjunct comment which appears in the typed transcript only may have been Mr. Willicombe's orders to the staff as it appears to have followed through on the request by Hearst.

"Please see that no wines or liquors or beers or anything is served to anybody, and if anybody brings any in, have them poured in the sink.

If any of our staff fails to cooperate, discharge them promptly.

Send the horses back to the ranch as soon as possible. Get rid of those expenses and salaries."

A revealing letter showing the rise and fall of the Hearst empire and the ushering in of the Great Depression!

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