2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
Typed Letter Signed by Robert S. Wickham, an attorney in Philadelphia, 3p. quarto, Augsut 19, 1916, with wonderful cover addressedto James Luitweiler, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with great content it reads in part: “...As to the Revolutions, you’d best stay out of them, because the Country has need of its young men. We are now getting up an army at the Mexican border (though for what purpose, God knows) and by the time you return a fine job will be offered you, for example, as guide, interpreter, or special agent of some kind. Spanish is important. Walter looks well and his skin is the color of leather. He’d a great deal of interest to tell you about the military encampment....As to the skins (including your own, which I have every regard for) I make bold to say that I have simply sold them all, pocketing the money. I got a good price for them, James, and then went to Atlantic City for a month on the proceeds, entertaining lavishly at the various cabarets and grills, always thinking however, ‘md scenes of pleasure and excitement, of the dear donor, the mighty hunter, whose skill and whose prowess made possible this much need outing...you see something had to be done with the skins and they all just seem to gravitate toward me...I am now wondering what your disposition wil lbe when you receive this note, but believe me, I certainly enjoyed that trip to Atlantic City. Walter tells me that Gen. Leonard Wood wanted him to stay up at Plattsburg and manage the United States Army on the border by mail. Sort of a correspondance school scheme. But Walter told the General he couldn’t do it, that is, unless his friend Mr. Wickham would join them and all three act together and I refused to go unless all my expenses were paid in advance. Because I have no more skins to sell...In conclusion, James, keep away from the Revolutions, keep away from the Rum...If you forget my crimson South American saddlecloth, I’ll tan you with a North American bridle which I have saved especially for that purpose, not riding horseback at the moment, to any extent. I can well believe that you and the other members of the Commission are having troubles of your own...” Fine. James Luitweiler (1890-1982) was born and raised in York, Pennsylvania and the Yucatan peninsula (Mexico, 1906-1911). An international lawyer and businessman, Luitweiler served as Secretary to the American Land Commission Canal Zone in 1913. He received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1915 and served with the American Legation to Buenos Aires and Santiago from 1915 until 1917. Subsequent to these activities he returned to New York and established himself in the field of international finance.
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