Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nick Dimeo on November 14, 2021 at 7:40am

Looks good to me, just like it’s shown in the Universal credits of old films.

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Permalink Reply by Khrissy10 on November 14, 2021 at 8:14am

Thanks for replying Nick, that's really kind of you. That's great.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on November 14, 2021 at 9:16am

This signature is on a letter.  Do you have a scan of the entire letter?  I ask because a studio chief like Laemmle would have tons of form letters being sent out to film distributors, theater owners, etc. with stamped or pre-printed signatures. Is this live fountain pen ink?

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Permalink Reply by Khrissy10 on November 14, 2021 at 9:38am

Hi Etienne,

Thank so much for replying, here's a copy of the letter.

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Permalink Reply by Khrissy10 on November 14, 2021 at 9:44am

Here's some other examples from other letters I've found online.

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on November 14, 2021 at 10:00am

Here's a signed photo of him.  I would say this is unquestionably authentic.  I would do any comparisons off of this.  Looking at your letter, I'm thinking it's secretarial.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Dimeo on November 14, 2021 at 10:54am

I see where Etienne is coming from, however I still maintain (that in my opinion) it is real. The letter is of a personal matter pertaining to Laemmle and I don’t see a secretary trying to replicate the famous “C” he is known for and succeeding like this. 

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Permalink Reply by Khrissy10 on November 14, 2021 at 11:14am

Thanks both of you for taking the time to advise me, I really appreciate it. That's do kind of you.

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Permalink Reply by Khrissy10 on November 14, 2021 at 9:36pm

*so

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Permalink Reply by JK on November 14, 2021 at 10:56pm

Aside from the signature, what is that line going across the letter? It's not a tear, is it?

Also, the recipient is Seymour Halpern. There was a congressman from NY by that name.  If it's the same one, he would have been 17 when the letter was written. 

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Permalink Reply by Khrissy10 on November 15, 2021 at 1:47am

Hi JK

I think it's a tear. The seller has said it's a letter from the congressman.

Thanks for your reply

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Permalink Reply by Eddy on November 15, 2021 at 7:50am

Khrissy10 would you have return privileges on this?   That tear is a pretty significant issue, if that's what it is.  I'd certainly want to be able to examine it in person.  Also examine that signature in person. It's a low def. scan they've provided.  Can't tell if it's a stamp or a firm proxy's hand.

I just get the feel from it that this is one of those form letters that were sent out to school children (possibly Boy Scouts).  Kids would be given the assignment of writing to public figures in politics, business, the arts etc. in hopes of receiving a reply. Very common exercise in education years ago...especially in the Depression-era when this was received and the future for young people did not look promising.  What better boost to a child's hopes for a future in the American dream than a letter like this?

The response content, like here, would usually be a variation on the theme of how to become a success in life and all around good citizen.  The public figure's assistant would have these templates in the files to bring out and personalize when this kind of letter was received from the young person. We've all probably seen these standard kind of pieces pop up over the years.  In most cases, the subject probably had not even seen the letters that the secretary was responding to for them.

Anyway, that's just my 2 cents.  As the potential buyer, the most important thing is that you're the one who is comfortable with it.

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