ALS signed “Steve,” one page both sides, 7 x 10, personal letterhead, January 6, 1962. Handwritten letter to Tom Gilson in Van Nuys, California, in full: "Just a note to tell you how happy we are about Tom Jr., I always thought Sandra was the best thing that ever happened to you, and now with two boys, you have something going for you, that a lot of men go through their whole lifetime without being able to find. At any rate I sure as hell happy for you. Hope you like the duffer coat, should be just the thing for those cold nights on the bike. We plan to be back in L.A. about the 25th. if all goes well, I'm going to take a nice long vacation so we will be able to spend a lot of time together, you know I have been over here almost 5 months, in a way it's been very good for me, I have been able to do a lot of thinking about myself, and they say I have mellowed. But then I'm 32 now and I guess it's about time. Neile and I have been able to spend a lot of time together, seems like we get more and more hung on each other as time goes on, so all and all it seems like the McQueen family is in pretty good shape." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in McQueen's own hand.
The recipient, Tom Gilson, was a television actor and one of Steve McQueen's best friends. Gilson married actress Saundra Edwards in 1961 and the two had a child together, Thomas Jr. They separated in August 1962 when Gilson became abusive, and Edwards moved in with her sister and brother-in-law. On October 6, 1962, Gilson broke into the house, and Edwards killed him with a shotgun blast through the heart. A coroner's jury later ruled the shooting as justifiable homicide. McQueen served as a pallbearer at his funeral. A unique piece of correspondence, congratulating Gilson on finding happiness only months before he met with the ultimate tragedy.
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