細節
DILLINGER, JOHN, gunman, outlaw. Autograph letter signed ("Johnnie" and "John Dillinger #13225") to Miss Mary Hancock (his niece), from prison at Michigan City, Indiana, 2 March 1930. 2 pages, 4to, lined paper, slight wear along folds.
A VERY RARE JOHN DILLINGER LETTER, FROM PRISON
Dillinger's letters are of extreme rarity. Three years before he is named "Public Enemy Number 1" by the FBI, the Indiana-born outlaw pens a rambling, bantering letter to a young niece. Sports, including baseball figure pre-eminently: "Well, how is my honey this morning?...My letters are certainly getting to be in demand...the main reason I am writing you so much is because you are going to save your money this summer for me, so I thought I had better kid you along Ha! Ha! I wrote Dad last time and I told him to tell Clarice and Hubert that Ben Davis would sure wallop M.H.S....I think Columbus, Logansport or Anderson will win the Finals this year....glad to hear that Sis is some better...If Sis sent those things I wanted I want you to send me some handkerchiefs next week, you might as well buy several while you are at and then whenever I want some you wont have to take a trip to town...I am getting along alright and feeling fine...Well how are the newlyweds getting along now I am sure Fred will make good it is just a little hard at first to get started. I am glad he has a fine wife...I sure would like to take in the finals this year for there sure are some fast teams in the State this year! What do you think of Purdues team this year? I am picking Mclarrin to whip Sammy Mandell last night but the papers wont be in for an hour yet. My paper run out and I guess I will order the Chicago Herald and Examiner this month...It has an exceptionally good sport sheet..."
"[B]ase ball season is nearly hear but I dont care to try for the [prison] team hear although I love to play, if I hadn't played on the team at the Reformitory I dont think I would of been sent up hear; and I am sure I would of made a parole...this winter, so you can understand why I am not so inthusiastic about making this team. I cant write very neat this morning but I guess you will be able to read it. I am sure glad you like your school so well. What is my understudy doing? you tell him if he dont...write me a letter I am going to give him a good licking when I get out. It is nearly church time I go every Sunday sure am steady huh? Of course I have to go that explains it Ha! Ha!...keep writing your letters for they certainly cheer me up..."
From 1955 to the present, this letter is the only example of Dillinger's signature or letter offered at auction, according to American Book Prices Current. It was consigned to Charles Hamilton, 3 November 1967, lot 302.
A VERY RARE JOHN DILLINGER LETTER, FROM PRISON
Dillinger's letters are of extreme rarity. Three years before he is named "Public Enemy Number 1" by the FBI, the Indiana-born outlaw pens a rambling, bantering letter to a young niece. Sports, including baseball figure pre-eminently: "Well, how is my honey this morning?...My letters are certainly getting to be in demand...the main reason I am writing you so much is because you are going to save your money this summer for me, so I thought I had better kid you along Ha! Ha! I wrote Dad last time and I told him to tell Clarice and Hubert that Ben Davis would sure wallop M.H.S....I think Columbus, Logansport or Anderson will win the Finals this year....glad to hear that Sis is some better...If Sis sent those things I wanted I want you to send me some handkerchiefs next week, you might as well buy several while you are at and then whenever I want some you wont have to take a trip to town...I am getting along alright and feeling fine...Well how are the newlyweds getting along now I am sure Fred will make good it is just a little hard at first to get started. I am glad he has a fine wife...I sure would like to take in the finals this year for there sure are some fast teams in the State this year! What do you think of Purdues team this year? I am picking Mclarrin to whip Sammy Mandell last night but the papers wont be in for an hour yet. My paper run out and I guess I will order the Chicago Herald and Examiner this month...It has an exceptionally good sport sheet..."
"[B]ase ball season is nearly hear but I dont care to try for the [prison] team hear although I love to play, if I hadn't played on the team at the Reformitory I dont think I would of been sent up hear; and I am sure I would of made a parole...this winter, so you can understand why I am not so inthusiastic about making this team. I cant write very neat this morning but I guess you will be able to read it. I am sure glad you like your school so well. What is my understudy doing? you tell him if he dont...write me a letter I am going to give him a good licking when I get out. It is nearly church time I go every Sunday sure am steady huh? Of course I have to go that explains it Ha! Ha!...keep writing your letters for they certainly cheer me up..."
From 1955 to the present, this letter is the only example of Dillinger's signature or letter offered at auction, according to American Book Prices Current. It was consigned to Charles Hamilton, 3 November 1967, lot 302.