Item #28376 Typed Document Signed. Thomas S. GATES.
Typed Document Signed.

Typed Document Signed.

This noted investment banker became the University of Pennsylvania's first president in 1930, serving until 1944; his son, Thomas Jr., served as U.S. secretary of defense from 1959 to 1961. TDS (mimeographed), 4pp (rectos only), 8½" X 11", Philadelphia, PA, 1937 October 18. Near fine. Mild overall age toning; small staple hole at upper left of each page. Titled simply "Address of Dr. Thomas S. Gates, President of the University, over the radio," this typed, double-spaced mimeograph copy was issued by the "University of Pennsylvania Bicentennial Committee," and begins: "This is one of the great occasions of my life. I want... to express my gratitude to the Bicentennial Committee for giving me this opportunity to talk to each of you personally about the present and future of the University...." This inspired pep talk appears to have been this committee's creation of the "Bicentennial Fund," which spearheaded fundraising efforts in preparation for the university's 200th anniversary in 1940. Gates discusses the need "to get and keep the best" educators, to boost scholarships "for outstanding students who will be the kind of leaders in thought and activity that our democracy needs," to build a new museum, laboratory and library, etc. At the conclusion, he signs boldly in full in black ink. A superb, unusual memento from the notable moment in University of Pennsylvania history. Only a modest number of these mimeograph copies would have been produced in the first place, and of these surely an even smaller number survive. And of these remaining copies how many are actually signed? Our considered guess is that you're looking at it. From the collection of noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar (and possibly relative?) ARNOLD F. GATES (1914-93). Item #28376

Price: $150.00

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