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W. Averell Harriman Handwritten Autographed Letter Signed (ALS) to Newsweek Editor (1971)
Up for sale is an exceptional piece of 20th-century political and media history: a one-page Autographed Letter Signed (ALS) entirely in the hand of legendary American diplomat and statesman W. Averell Harriman.
Dated October 26, 1971, on his personal \"W. Averell Harriman\" engraved stationery, this letter is addressed directly to Fay Willey, a prominent international editor and writer for Newsweek magazine (notably celebrated as a key plaintiff in the historic 1970s Newsweek gender discrimination lawsuits).
Letter Transcription:
\"Oct 26, 71. Washington D.C.
Dear Fay Willey -
Thanks for your note of the 19th with the Newsweek issue quoting me on Summitry. I thought the quote accurate + considering the space limitations as fair a selection as you could have made of my long harangue.
Thanks again + my best,
Averell Harriman\"
Historical Significance & Content:
In this candid letter, Harriman writes from Washington D.C. to evaluate Newsweek\'s coverage of his comments on \"Summitry\" (the diplomatic art of high-level international summits). Writing during the geopolitical shifts of the Nixon administration, Harriman self-deprecatingly refers to his own speech or interview as a \"long harangue\" while praising Willey’s fair editorial selection despite tight magazine space constraints.
This is a fantastic crossover item perfect for collectors of Cold War diplomacy, political autographs, and journalism history.
Special Note for Collectors: The Fay Willey Archive
This exceptional historical document is part of a select group of correspondence from the estate of Fay Willey, the legendary international editor for Newsweek magazine.
Please check my other listings for additional rare, museum-quality items from this archive, including an official 1980 Department of State letter signed by legendary U.S. diplomat Richard Holbrooke featuring extensive personal handwritten notes and fascinating political marginalia. Combined shipping is available for multiple purchases from this historic collection.
