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Original handwritten love letter dated March 9, 1932, written by Ralph to Miss Alice Tallman of Guthrie, Oklahoma during the Great Depression.
Written on illustrated Turner Hotel stationery from Gainesville, Texas, featuring an attractive image of the hotel and the advertising claims “Absolutely Fireproof” and “All Rooms With Bath.”
Ralph writes while traveling through Florida and describes life on the road, including driving after dark, heading toward Tampa, and picking up a man and his wife who were walking from Tallahassee toward Lake City. He says he carried them approximately 210 miles to St. Augustine. He also describes unusual roadside sights, truckloads of oranges traveling the highway, and his plans to continue to Miami and St. Petersburg.
The letter also contains affectionate and protective comments to Alice. Ralph discusses another man who had apparently been troubling her, warns her not to let any bus drivers “take you away,” and closes with loving remarks about returning to his “sweet Alice.”
The accompanying Turner Hotel envelope is addressed to Miss Alice Tallman in Guthrie, Oklahoma and bears a St. Petersburg, Florida postmark dated March 10, 1932. It has a 2-cent George Washington stamp and an especially attractive pictorial machine cancellation showing an airplane with the slogan “AIR-MAIL SAVES TIME.” The envelope itself was mailed at the regular 2-cent rate; the cancellation is a postal advertisement promoting airmail service.
A wonderful piece of original Depression-era correspondence combining romantic social history, early automobile travel, Florida road history, hotel ephemera and U.S. postal history.
This letter is part of a larger group of original correspondence and is being offered individually.
Please review all photographs for handwriting, contents and condition. Original vintage paper shows expected age, folds, toning and wear. Envelope has age-related wear and staining as pictured.
