Typed seven page article, entitled “The Bear Who Wasn’t There,” written by Reagan exclusively for Ivy Wilson’s Hollywood Album, signed on the first page in pencil giving his approval for the article, “Ronald Reagan,” adding “Made one slight change on page 7, otherwise I’m very happy.” Reagan has also made two small notations on page seven. Accompanied by four unsigned original promotional photos from The Cattle Queen of Montana, the movie mentioned in his story. In fine condition.
Here the man who would later become the “Great Communicator”, leader of the free world, 40th President of the United States, and the person most often credited with ending the Cold War admits, in writing, that apart from going on location to film a movie, “I had ever been much of a traveller. I’m usually content to stay right at home...I had never been to Florida - nor had I thought of going - until a studio sent me there for the premiere of a picture.” It was through these Hollywood adventures that Reagan got to see the country—by train, of course—where he was “very happy to have the opportunity of seeing the country, especially from Portland, Oregon across the Northwest which is most picturesque from a train window.” It was also on such journeys that he met Native Americans, forcing him to reflect how it is “easy to forget that only a...short time ago, following the Civil War right up the turn of the century, we were fighting them. Some of our generals and officers in the Great War received their first experience in combat with Indian tribes...So little of the truth of Indian history has been told.” Perhaps gaining a greater appreciation of other cultures and rules forced upon them by the government, one stuck with Reagan as he entered political life and, ultimately, the White House. And while praising actress Barbara Stanwyck for roughing it like the rest of the cast in the outback, Reagan also notes that he catches “Barbara swimming in the nude.” A unique and fascinating article. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
