TLS, one page, 8 x 10.5, NASA letterhead, stamp-dated September 24, 1962. Letter to Lawrence Spivak at Meet The Press. In full: “I have your kind letter concerning the forthcoming celebration of the 15th Anniversary of MEET THE PRESS on television. Allow me to offer you my heartiest congratulations for producing a program which is in the highest traditions of free inquiry on the American scene. To give you my opinion of the program, I would be doing an injustice if I did not quote John Milton:
‘Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so Truth be in the field, we do ingloriously, by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength. Let her and Falsehood grapple: who ever know Truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?’
With every good wish for your continued success…”
In fine condition. ‘Areopagitica,’ a speech against censorship, was published in November 23, 1644 at the height of the English Civil War. Milton had no intention of delivering his speech orally; it was distributed via pamphlet, defying the same publication censorship he argued against. Milton defended the principle of the right of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in all forms. A fitting and intellectual tribute from the rocket pioneer. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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