ALS signed “Dutch,” one page, 6.5 x 4.25, personal letterhead, November 13, 1991. Letter to his longtime friend Lydia “Hup” MacArthur. In full: “I’m sorry to hear about your pain & illness. I’m talking to our friend upstairs about it. Give my regards to Dottie [her friend, Dottie Green]. As for that ‘Cold Warrior’ line – I think they are referring to the break up of the cold war and giving me credit for bringing that about. We’ve had a big & busy time with the opening of the ‘Library’ and I’m happy to say it was a big success. Nancy sends her best.” Several light fingerprint brushes to text, not affecting overall legibility, otherwise fine condition.
Lydia Hupfer “Hup” MacArthur was the widow of Pete MacArthur, program director of WOC in Davenport, Iowa. In 1932, MacArthur had given a then 21 year-old Reagan his first job as a sports announcer. They would remain friends until her passing at the age of 102 in 1995.
Certainly the most noteworthy aspect of this message is the 40th President’s reference to “that ‘Cold Warrior’ line”—as historians certainly agree the end of the “Cold War” between the US and USSR was part of President Reagan’s legacy. To be sure, the Reagan Administration’s defense policies and hard line rhetoric against the Soviet Union and Communism, as well as summits with Mikhail Gorbachev, played significant parts in ending the tensions. Although an attempted coup in the USSR in August 1991 failed to oust Gorbachev from power, it did essentially end Communist rule. Six weeks after Reagan wrote this letter, on December 25, 1991, Gorbachev resigned and the Soviet Union ceased to exist. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
