May 11 Rare Autograph & Book Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/11/2023
The ever-private Armstrong: “My letter was a letter to you and not to your readers”
TLS, one page, 8.5 x 11, personal letterhead, April 25, 1994. Follow-up letter to Thomas Barr of Western Star Publications. Three weeks earlier, Armstrong had written to Barr regarding the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. In full: “Thank you for your very kind letter of April 11th. I have no objection to your re-printing the 1989 editorial as you proposed. Additionally, I have no objection to the column you might write. My letter was a letter to you and not to your readers, so I would appreciate your not printing extracts from it. Tell Mr. Gibson that I bought a new battery for the truck!” In very good condition, with some scattered light soiling, creasing, and a few wrinkles along bottom edge.
The year 1994 is when the reclusive First Man on the Moon began to refuse all autograph requests, and his desire for continued privacy is paramount in this letter! In his initial correspondence with Barr, composed during the 25th anniversary of the first moon landing, Armstrong had noted a promise by NASA not to involve him as deeply as previous anniversary celebrations. This follow-up letter reiterates his strong desire to stay out of the media spotlight, and a wish to keep any previous correspondence between the two men private! Yet another surprising—if not stellar—example of correspondence from Armstrong to a member of the Fourth Estate.
With One of a Kind Collectibles LOA.
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