$15,000
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000
The Collection of Victor Niederhoffer part II
Auction: September 19, 2019 11:00:00 AM EDT
(Los Angeles), December 24, [1990]. 1 1/2pp., on one 4to sheet of Reagan's personal letterehead (8 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches; 21.7 x 16.4cm.), signed "Dad"; with very light creases along folds, contents clear and dark; with Reagan's free franked mailing envelope, addressed in his hand. Housed in custom gilt-lettered burgundy morocco chemise with watered silk lining, in part forming a display window. Addressed from Ronald Reagan to his estranged daughter, Patti Davis, on Reagan's personal letterhead with the presidential seal, "Alright I'll quit bothering you but I had more in mind than arguing politics. The line in the song says it all: 'The days dwindle down to a precious few.' On Feb. 6th. I'll be 80 yrs. old. Your mother and I are hard put to understand the separation between us and our first born. It didn't just happen with your growing up and leaving home. I can recall your mother coming home in tears after driving you to school. She couldn't understand your complete silence even to the point of your not saying 'good bye.' Was it having to share with a new born brother? I remember a loving daughter who never let us leave the house without waving goodbye from the window. We have some snap shots that reveal a difference in a little girl. We ask ourselves ' what did we do wrong.' We were once a loving family. Well as I said earlier "I'll stop bothering you" but I don't understand the separation of our family. I recall a little girl sitting on my lap and asking me to marry her. Her mother behind her signaled me to say 'yes.' So I did and explained we'd have to wait till she was a little older. Love Dad" A charming and melancholic letter from the former president to his estranged daughter, written in the year following the end of his presidential term, as he approached his eightieth birthday.