Interesting TLS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, personal “Satchmo” letterhead, May 31, 1942. Armstrong writes to powerful and controversial columnist Walter Winchell. In part [his spellings retained]: “Here’s your boy Satchmo getting ready to beat out some more riffs on this fine bran new typewriter of his. I thought since the boys in my band were kind enough to donate a little change to me (you know) in a little private black jack game…. You’d be surprised at the people telling me about what they have been reading about you and me in your column constantly…. And to top it off they seem to really be enjoying everything that you say about Ol Hammockmouth Louis Armstrong…. Pops I guess you say to yourself—that he’s the ha ha’n’est—black—S.B.—you ever say in your life…. I’ve just finished writing to a young man whom is confined in a sanatorium out from Seattle…. He’s one of my soul admirers and has lived Louis Armstrong—his records and his life for years. He’s a white boy and unfortunately bad luck overtook the poor lad—you can imagine what his ailment is Pops. Lung trouble evidently. But I just hate like the devil to say it. Because I imagine that is an awful feeling to have…. Mary Ann my mother tought us children to be Physic minded when I was a little ol nappy headed boty down in New Orleans…. S’too bad about China isn’t it? Well—something might turn up by the time those damn Japs think that they’ve taken China. Lord help them … I’ll say a prayer for them…. I just wanted to tell you how all the folks everywhere seem to be so glad when they see something in your column concerning me. And of course you know how grateful I am for it…. I have six new suits coming up as soon as I hit Chicago … a present from Daddy Glaser. Lawdy … And believe you me Mr. Winch—I’ll just about be the first Spade (meanin) colored boy who’s gona get all of his new trousers made without cuffs. So you see—I am still doing things for my Uncle Sam….” Light handling wear with paperclip impression, a few tiny edge tears, and a touch of mild wrinkling and soiling, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
