Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Rickenbacker, Edward Vernon, 1890-1973 to George L. Rihl

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05508.010.02 Author/Creator: Rickenbacker, Edward Vernon, 1890-1973 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Typed letter signed Date: December 1949 Pagination: 1 p. : free frank Height: 26.7 cm, Width: 18.4 cm Order a Copy

Rickenbacker sees an "alien philosophy" of wanting "something for nothing" as infiltrating American society. He argues that the people are to blame, not the government or so-called rich. He sees bankruptcy as the result, unless everyone orients themselves away from material things and toward the country's spiritual welfare. He views Christmas as an opportune time for such a rededication. With 2 photos.

Rickenbacker, Eddie, 1890-1973
Rihl, George L., fl. 1946-1949

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources