TLS signed “J. E. Hoover,” one page, 8 x 10.5, personal Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) letterhead, October 30, 1935. Letter to Black Mask magazine writer Dwight V. Babcock, in full: “Receipt is acknowledged of your letter dated October 21, 1935. It is with pleasure that I am enclosing the following publications which I believe will be of interest to you:
The Work and Functions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Identification
Training of Personnel
Recent Federal Crime Bills
The Technical Laboratory
International Exchange of Fingerprints
How to Take Fingerprints
Addresses delivered by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation before the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York on February 7, 1935 and before the Convention of the International Association of Chiefs of Police at Atlantic City, New Jersey on July 9, 1935
You will note the enclosed publication entitled ‘Recent Federal Crime Bills.’ This publication is the only one available for distribution concerning the laws pertaining to this Bureau.” In very good to fine condition, with light toning along the left side, and light show-through from a few small small mounting remnants on the back.
This helpful Hoover letter relates to Babcock’s request for background information for a special ‘G-Man’ story he’d been assigned to write by Black Mask editor Joseph ‘Cap’ Shaw. Earlier that month, on October 9, 1935, Shaw wrote to Babcock: “I have your letter with its interesting suggestion regarding collaboration with Ballard. I think it might be done best in the space of a novel; I have doubt whether two would have room enough in a novelette…Meanwhile, I have another idea for you to think over. I'm titling that story ‘G-MAN CHUCK THOMPSON.’ The idea is that there is a good opportunity to push Chuck as a character vigorously right now, while G-men stuff is popular…The idea would be to put Chuck in the many fields of activity which are the high spots with the Feds. You have infinite choice for variety — extortion, blackmail, counterfeiting, white slavery and so on. The point would be to make Chuck, not a superman, but a real, sure enough likable fellow and popularize him.”
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