Letter from the collection of A Mirror with a Memory

Letter, 1941

Typed paper with green and black ink

$300

Available

Letter addressed to "Uncle Sam" artist, James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960), from Peter Elser (1920-1975), Harvard football star, stockbroker, soccer enthusiast, and eventual Marine captain. In the letter, Elser references a prior lunch invitation that went poorly and attempts to persuade Flagg to send four illustrated bill heads to him in his captain's absence.

Flagg angrily wrote the note in green:
"I sent 4 of my billheads! Then they typed a lot of whereasses [sic] on them and I had to sign 'em. They didn't notice the billheads! This lad was the one who said I snooted him at the Stork [Club]! He was crazy to meet Ilse [Hoffman- Flagg's model and lover]. M."

Two years later, Elser discovered the body of Patricia Lonergan, who was murdered by a Canadian soldier in 1943.

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From A Mirror with a Memory

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Additional Details

Additional Artworks

Jumper, 1941-1945

World War I Helmet, 1914-1919

Dress, c. 1910

Pedestal, 1890-1910

Perfume Bottle, c. 1890

Hair Comb, 1878

Marshal's Certificate of Enlistment and Muster, c. 1864

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