May 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he intends to marry her.

GLC09120.227

27 May 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond comments on the fact that the couple's engagement had been announced in the Hunter magazine.

GLC09120.230

9 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that he loves wearing the ring that she bought for him as it brings her so close to him.

GLC09120.239

20 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond ends the letter by telling Estelle that "…no matter how [he] come[s] out of this [he's] to report to [her] for final disposition…the future'll tell all".

GLC09120.244

22 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond promises Estelle that "…no matter how [he] may be maimed [he's] to return…" He then describes his outfit with his new men - Jewish, Catholic, Protestant - mentioning that they care little for racial distinctions or inane political conversation, they just want to get their jobs done.

GLC09120.245

24 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that the superb bracelet has arrived, describing it as very "classy". Sidney then offers a prayer, including a plea to God to "[l]et [him] return, the same".

GLC09120.247

25 June 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond writes out his "articles of faith". These include a promise to remember his and Estelle's "mission for a prolonged and happy life together", a promise to return to Estelle, and, if necessary, a promise to leave this life as he tried to live it - "with honor".

GLC09120.248

25 July 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses the time difference between his present location and New York. He tells her of his desire to share this spot, this experience with her, and writes that once the war is over, if they have sufficient funds, he would like to spend a vacation there with her.

GLC09120.256

10 September 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond responds to various questions that Estelle had asked, reassuring her that a "date" he had mentioned was a trip to the movies with a French teacher and his wife, and also telling her that he had very much wanted to get engaged. He then asks her not to put him on the defensive all of the time, saying that "it's not fair". He requests that she let him know if she changes her mind in any way.

GLC09120.267

11 September 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he feels like "worn and shredded and turned out" heel, in need of repair if "the foot is to be comfortable". He writes about the difficulties he will face being "re-habilitated" back at home, and that his ideals and dreams "have all been shattered to a pulp a long time ago". He ends the letter by informing Estelle that he misses her "so terribly and can't do anything about it!!!"

GLC09120.268

1 October 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond tells Estelle that he realizes now how fully and totally he loves her: "You are my foundation. The fundamental element of my construction."

GLC09120.277

25 November 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond reassures Estelle that his communicating with other girls does not mean that he is "deceiving" her. He tells her that her happiness means more to him, now, "than life itself." He describes the ten days and nights that he has spent training in the jungle. He also asks her to send him a lantern of some sort that will operate on gasoline or kerosene.

GLC09120.296

3 December 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses a book that he had recently read entitled "The Story of Damon and Pythias," relating it to his and Estelle's relationship.

GLC09120.303

4 December 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond responds to various questions that Estelle had asked in a series of her letters that he had just received through airmail. He promises her that they will get married as soon as he returns, if not sooner.

GLC09120.304

21 December 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his day, stating that "at last - nothing to say". He ends the letter by commenting that he should have married Estelle.

GLC09120.317

25 December 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond informs Estelle that at last he has paid back the loan that he took out in order to purchase her engagement ring.

GLC09120.318

January 22, 1943

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his room to Estelle. He then tells her about an exchange that had taken place between himself and one of his men who had been worried that he could not stop thinking about his wife, and the possibility that she was being unfaithful. He informs Estelle that he is preparing to act as scorer on the firing range for one night. drawing on upper left corner.

GLC09120.180

13 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond describes his day, which has included a film on military discipline, another on "identification of aircraft", a two-hour drill, and a baseball game. Sidney addresses Estelle as his fiancée, and mentions that he has now become accustomed to calling her that.

GLC09120.089

29 August 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond discusses with Estelle the advantages of matrimony. Sidney outlines his day - student presentations in the morning and an inspection in the afternoon. He also describes his accommodation which now constitutes a tent.

GLC09120.098

6 November 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Diamond relays a debate that had taken place during the student presentations on the pros and cons of a soldier choosing to get married. He informs Estelle that he received his first mark below 80 (a 79 in chemical tactics), but that the rest of his grades are fine. Sidney also writes that he hopes that Estelle will be able to come to his graduation due to take place the following Saturday.

GLC09120.125

17 June 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Discusses the use of mustard and lewisite gas in the war. Promises Estelle that he will return, and upon his return will take her as his wife. Written at Edgewood Arsenal

GLC09120.039

6 April 1870

Hartsuff, Arthur, fl. 1870-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alice Hartstuff

re: apologies for a disagreement which happened before he left for San Francisco. Hartsuff complains that "it is hard work doing nothing" in the city and reports that he is distracted by thoughts of his wife whose picture he frequently looks at. Hartsuff also claims to have had a portrait made and promises to send his wife a copy as soon as a print is made.

GLC05201.001

4 May 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Discusses the wedding of a "negro" soldier, and muses over the range of social classes that he has encountered in the army.

GLC09120.008

1881

Hartsuff, Arthur, fl. 1870-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alice Hartstuff

re: Hartsuff sends money and instructions "in a nut shell" for investing it. He advises his wife to invest the money wisely and suggests that expanding into the lot that adjoins their current home would be a wise choice if she could make certain that the title to the land was good.

GLC05201.008

June 4, 1942

Diamond, Sidney, 1922-1945

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Estelle Spero

Incomplete letter. Explains that multiple use of punctuation marks is due to his "engaged to be engaged" status. Wishes Estelle luck in her upcoming exams. Starts to describe his dream date. Written at Edgewood Arsenal

GLC09120.027