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Lot 91
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William Randolph Hearst lengthy 6 pg ALS about his over-the-top castle!
William Randolph Hearst lengthy 6 pg ALS about his over-the-top castle!
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Description:

Hearst William 1863 - 1951

W.R. Hearst 6 pg ALS regarding his over-the-top castle!

Extensive 6 pg ALS, inscribed in graphite on rectos with versos blank, 5.5" x 8.5". Signed by Hearst to the last page as "WR Hearst". Pages lightly toned with upper left corner of each page is stamped with the number 785. Small piece of tape, and a paper clip stain along top edge of each page, else near fine.

William Randolph Hearst, American newspaper magnate, and son of self-made millionaire George Hearst, 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 U.S. into war with Spain in 1898.

In 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. While WWII restored circulation and advertising revenues, his great days were over. His story supposedly inspired Orson Welles' classic 1941 film, "Citizen Kane", and Hearst used all his resources and influence in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the film's release.

This lengthy ALS was written to "Sir Charles", an eminent British decorator trained as an architect, and who was knighted for his work on Buckingham Palace. Hearst discusses additions and improvements to his vast opulent castle noting: "Perhaps the new bridge which, in accordance with the plan I have suggested would connect the castle from the round tower to the existing wing at the South side ... this would allow protected communication between the proposed guest quarters ... and the castle" and "It would also make a feature to correspond to the covered servants passage on the north side and it would not duplicate the drawbridge .... The drawbridge should be made as impressive as possible. Perhaps at night we can have some torches and light effects. I imagine that Americans unused to such shocks will ... pass out entirely. Anyhow we will try to make them unconscious if a succession of medieval thrills (illegible) do it."

The castle was brought to a suitable standard for the comfort of rich Americans. Bathrooms increased from 3 to 35, 3 tennis courts were built and a heated swimming pool. Visitors took advantage of his hospitality and indulged in fairly riotous living. Chefs and butlers supplied by the Claridge's and the Savoy were helpful in obtaining rare wines and food.

One can see in this letter the stunning wealth Hearst held at the time, and one can also see a life style that would need a vast empire to sustain. His overextension of his empire and his massive lifestyle essentially took him down during the Depression. This opulent letter perfectly depicts the era of the roaring 20's and the height of his empire just before the collapse.

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