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1947-8 antique LOVE LETTERS US NAVY LEONARD MANIRE LUCILLE CURRIER nyc
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Remarkable 1947–1948 handwritten U.S. Navy love-letter correspondence from LEONARD C. MANIRE to LUCILLE CURRIER, documenting an intensely affectionate long-distance courtship that eventually resulted in their marriage. The archive contains lengthy multi-page handwritten letters together with original mailed envelopes and a small romantic anniversary greeting card. Please see photographs for exact sizes, number of sheets/pages, completeness, and condition of everything included.
Leonard repeatedly addresses Lucille as “My Dearest Sweetheart,” “My Darling Sweetheart,” and similar endearments. His letters are unusually detailed and personal, discussing how much he misses her, their visits together, his everyday activities, Navy and shipboard life, transportation and train schedules, and their anticipated future as husband and wife.
The December 7, 1947 letter is particularly interesting. Leonard describes being aboard ship and discusses APAs and LSTs, taking a cab to the station, train travel, and the emotional difficulty of leaving Lucille after their time together. One surviving envelope identifies the sender as:
Leonard C. Manire, CBM
U.S.S. Newton
U.S. Naval Shipyard
Philadelphia, Pa.
and is addressed to:
Lucille Currier
105 W. 42nd St.
New York, N.Y.
Letters dated December 13 and December 14, 1947 continue the courtship in almost diary-like fashion. Leonard recalls Sundays they spent together and writes about dinner, bowling, taking cabs, train travel, his ship and station routine, and his anticipation of seeing Lucille again. Throughout the correspondence he repeatedly declares his love and talks about their future together.
The February 7, 1948 correspondence is especially significant because the relationship has clearly progressed toward marriage. Leonard discusses inviting family members, including John, Irene, Marie and Helen, and talks about relatives obtaining liberty and attending. He repeatedly tells Lucille how much he loves her and signs himself her “ever loving hubby, Len.”
Also included is a wonderful handwritten romantic verse headed “Lucille.” Leonard writes of his happiness in having her, describes her as his bride, and expresses his longing to be together. A small floral “Anniversary Greetings” card is inscribed by Leonard:
“To the sweetest gal ever on this day of ours. I love you. Len.”
One of the most important pieces for documenting the relationship is the February 1948 Air Mail envelope addressed to:
Mrs. L. C. Manire
1630 Macombs Rd.
Bronx 53, N.Y.
This provides particularly strong period evidence of the transition from Leonard Manire and Lucille Currier\'s courtship into their married life, making the group much more compelling than a collection of unrelated love letters.
The correspondence offers an appealing combination of genealogy, social history, post-WWII U.S. Navy history, romance, New York City history, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard history, postal history, and everyday American life immediately following World War II. Because the letters survive together, they allow the reader to follow portions of an actual relationship rather than simply reading an isolated romantic note.
Original envelopes retain period postal markings and stamps, including Philadelphia cancellations and an Air Mail envelope. Condition is consistent with genuine mailed correspondence of the period, with age toning, original mailing folds, handling wear, edge wear, and tears/losses to some envelopes. The handwritten letters remain generally strong and legible. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact contents and condition.
An excellent named 1940s American love-letter archive with strong genealogical research potential and an especially appealing courtship-to-marriage story.
Authentic period piece related to family, historyor local heritage - well-suited for historical collections, genealogical /genealogy research, or museum acquisition.Vintage or Antique.
CONDITION: See listing description and photos.
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LOC2: PAPERBOXTALL16-TMKTK-F2608BDG200
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