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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.

Dottie, fl. 1943-1944 to Leonard Eugene Graeff

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09611.110 Author/Creator: Dottie, fl. 1943-1944 Place Written: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 October 1943 Pagination: 6 p. : envelope Height: 6.2 cm, Width: 6.2 cm Order a Copy

One letter from Dottie to Leonard Eugene Graeff dated October 7, 1943. She inquires how Leonard is doing and decided that since he is "just dying for news" she would respond to his letter right after reading. She reveals, "There isn't much news to tell 'cause no body's around here to make news anymore." After which she lists members of the community that are enlisted or being drafted. She updates him on the local football team their recent success. Dottie hopes that Leonard will get to be an Aviation Metalsmith. She closes with a joke, "Did you hear about the moron who put the "for rent" sign on his stomach? He heard his bowels were going to move." Signed, "Dottie."

Graeff, Leonard Eugene, 1920-2016

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