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An extraordinary collection of handwritten letters and manuscripts that is more than just a window into the thoughts, analysis, passions and empathy of Ronald Reagan; it is a real sense of being in his presence. Holding and reading this extraordinary collection puts one next to him as his beliefs, philosophy, morality, honesty and character flow from inside of him onto the letters and manuscripts which show him as the creator of his ideas, which during his political career were too often falsely credited to his aides and speechwriters
Reagan’s distillation of major issues was once thought of as simplistic but is now regarded as old-fashioned common-sense analysis which went to the heart of a problem. His handwritten letters exude a sense of decency, caring, and goodwill that were important in his bipartisanship in Washington. His sincerity in refusing to consider altering his policies because of political pressure, or expediency, became the hallmark of both his time as Governor and as President.
Reagan won in a landslide, causing The New York Times to describe him as one of the four leading candidates for the Republican nomination in 1968. His response was to refer to his four-year commitment to California. In his Inaugural Address he took on major California issues that were also major national issues: fiscal responsibility, welfare, the responsibility of colleges, support for the military and patriotism. “To build a state where Liberty… can triumph; where compassion can govern and where the people can… prosper because of govt. and not in spite of it.” “Welfare is another of our major problems. A humanitarian program to help the aged, disabled and unfortunate has instead perpetuated poverty. That the dole can replace a fair days pay for a fair days work without destroying moral fibre, dignity and self respect is a mistaken idea.”
The letters in this collection deal in detail with his thoughts, feelings and opinions on all of these subjects as well as his being considered for the Presidency, abortion rights, right to work laws, the Vietnam War, welfare cheating, the right of citizens to medical treatment, income tax withholding, lowering the voting age, academic freedom, and saving the redwoods.
Three of the letters are written to his daughter Patti and are very affectionate and considerate. They take seriously her rebelliousness and offer the advice of a loving father. Two of the letters to his daughter Patti are handwritten, one typewritten, all as Governor, totaling five pages, signed “Dad”.
The collection consists of 23 letters, 29 pages, 8 manuscripts of speeches, 114 pages. Seventeen handwritten letters are as Governor, 1967-68, to various correspondents, all signed “RR”. (It was Reagan’s habit to handwrite letters on important subjects and have his secretary then type the letter and sign “Ronald Reagan” herself.) A full-page handwritten letter is written on White House stationery; another handwritten letter was written shortly after Pearl Harbor; and a 1948 check is payable to the Americans for Democratic Action.
The eight original manuscripts are of speeches, totaling 114 pages, the pages either entirely in his hand or typewritten and corrected and annotated by him. Reagan’s voice rings loudly through his handwritten words, the common sense, decency, fairness and logic of another era in America. Reading these speeches, as well as his handwritten letters, makes one wonder why it was so widely assumed others were creating policies for him to adopt and support. His Inaugural Address as Governor is of particular note in establishing and articulating his beliefs and plans for California.
A typescript of Reagan’s Presidential Inaugural Address is signed by him on the final page. Eleven pages, octavo.
This is an amazing collection giving the greatest insight into Ronald Reagan’s actual thinking on the most important issues facing America in the 1960’s.
