Item #310609 Typed letter signed "Paul V McNutt" to "Dear Friend" (Seymour Halpern) in response to Halpern's inquiry regarding the key to success in life. Indiana Governor, Paul V. McNutt.

Typed letter signed "Paul V McNutt" to "Dear Friend" (Seymour Halpern) in response to Halpern's inquiry regarding the key to success in life.

Indianapolis (IN): June 1, 1929.

Price: $50.00


About the item

1 p. on "The American Legion" letterhead. 1-1/4 x 10-3/4 inches. Old folds, minor tear and chip to right corner of tail, else very good.

Item #310609

Written while the National and Indiana State Commander of the American Legion, Democrat, Paul V. McNutt (1891-1951) used his position in the influential veterans organization to help him win election as Indiana’s 34th Governor in 1933. Reading in part: “Whatever success I have attained I attribute to the determination of a definite goal and willingness to strive constantly and persistently…”

His presidential aspirations twice-stymied by Franklin Roosevelt’s second and third term reelection runs, McNutt would go on to be appointed High Commissioner of the Philippines, Chairman of the War Manpower Commission, and later, US Ambassador to the Philippines. Notable as an early champion of human rights for European Jews, McNutt, while US Ambassador, was instrumental in allowing the entry of Jewish refugees into the Philippines, at at time when such refugees could not legally enter the US itself in large numbers.

As a high school student, Seymour Halpern (1913-1997), wrote letters to many notables of the day including politicians, military officers, entertainers, diplomats, artists, activists, writers, and businessmen, inquiring about their ideas to the keys to success in life. Halpern would later go on to serve as Republican from New York to the 86th, 87th, 88th, 89th, 90th, 91st and 92nd United States Congresses, holding office from January 3, 1959, to January 3, 1973.