ALS signed “Love, Dad,” one page both sides, 6.25 x 4.25, personal stationery, May 8, 1991. Letter to his daughter, Patti Davis, in full: “I hope you’ll understand that as an 80 yr. old I would like—in the time left me—to see if we might become something of a family. By this I don’t mean an invasion of your privacy. I’d appreciate it if you’d give me your phone number. My office number is area code 213 and 552–1980. Our home number is 213–478–4646. Patti between now and Sunday (if you get this in time), if not then later, I believe you should call your mother. After all Sunday is ‘Mothers Day.’ Your mother has been going through h—l and is really hurting over this Kitty Kelly garbage which is completely false. I’ve never seen her this low. Patti I recall happy days at Del Coronado every summer—then our vacations at Trancas. I also recall your wedding and how happy your mother was in arranging the ceremony. We won’t abuse your privacy but I’ll feel better if I know you can be reached by phone.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Reagan’s own hand and bearing a pre-printed free frank.
The eldest child of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Patti Davis became estranged from her family after years of political activism and public opposition against her father’s conservative policies, adding to the familial strife with a series of thinly veiled autobiographical novels. However, it was the release of Kitty Kelley’s unauthorized Nancy Reagan biography that proved the most affecting to the presidential couple. Published a month before this letter, the book featured sensational claims of infidelity and physical abuse towards the Reagan children, specifically Davis. After years of disaffection, Davis reconciled with her parents following the news of her father’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s. Written during a particularly taxing period, this tender and insightful letter from father to daughter solemnly captures Reagan reflecting on the state of his family as well as on his own mortality. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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