Description:

Woody Guthrie
[Scott Field, IL], [July 10, 1945]
Woody Guthrie PSA MINT 9 WWII-Dated Envelope Signed "Pvt. W. Guthrie 42234634"
Signed Envelope

An envelope engrossed by Woody Guthrie (1912-1967), the beloved American folk artist, and signed by him as "Pvt. W. Guthrie 42234634 / Squadron L, 3505 AAFBU / Scott Field, Ill." in the return address portion of an envelope. Postmarked July 3, 1945 from Scott Field, Illinois. The envelope is also addressed in Guthrie's hand in the address section as: "To / Asch Record Co., / Stinson Trading Co., / 27 Union Square / New York City / N.Y." Guthrie has also inscribed the word "free" in the postage section (U.S. servicemen were exempted from paying for postage by Congressional Act passed in March 1942.) Pencil-docketed as "File / W. Guthrie" in another hand near lower left. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified and graded MINT 9. Expected wear including mostly even toning, with isolated discoloration from envelope adhesive, and a few light water spots or stains verso. Gently blunted envelope corners, else near fine. The envelope measures 7.5" x 3.875" while the slab measures 10.125" x 6.75."

Woody Guthrie sent this envelope to his business associate Moses "Moe" Asch (1905-1986), a Polish-American record executive whom Guthrie had met in 1944. Under Asch's record label, Asch Recordings, Guthrie would make some of the first recordings of "This Land Is Your Land," composed in 1940. Guthrie debuted "This Land Is Your Land" on a radio program in December 1944, and the lyrics were first published in September 1945. The song didn't reach its peak popularity until the early 1950s.

Guthrie had tried to contribute to the war effort by enlisting as a U.S.O. performer, believing that his uplifting songs could do more good than serving in a fighting unit. To avoid the draft, Guthrie joined the U.S. Merchant Marine in June 1943 and served on several battleships in the Atlantic Theatre. His mercantile seaman's papers were revoked on suspicion of Communist Party affiliation in early 1945, and Guthrie was subsequently conscripted into the U.S. Army. He served at Scott Field (today Scott Air Force Base), which during that era served as a major army training and instructional facility. Throughout his military service, Guthrie was still very musically active; he continued composing, writing lyrics, and entertaining his fellow servicemen. In the mid-1940s, Guthrie continued collaborating with Asch and released recordings through the Folkways Records (Asch's successor label, established in 1948), and Stinson Records (established in 1939).

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: slabbed: 10.125" x 6.75"
  • Medium: Signed Envelope

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