Original October 17, 1939 typed personal letter from Bob in Washington, D.C. to his parents in Oklahoma City.
The two-page letter is typed on official WAR DEPARTMENT – THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE – WASHINGTON letterhead and signed “Bob.”
Bob describes his life as a young government employee in Washington, including moving into a house shared with several other young men. He provides wonderful period details about their meals, a kitchen dumbwaiter, servants' rooms, a ping-pong table, shared books and recreational equipment, and the other young men living in the house.
He discusses being invited to a formal sorority dance and debating whether to obtain a tuxedo. He also writes candidly about his salary, credit accounts and determination not to become overextended financially, explaining that he plans to save $10 from every payday.
Bob mentions Virginia and says he would like to buy her a diamond engagement ring rather than an opal, although the purchase will have to wait. He believes she may be ready to come to Washington when he is able to prepare for her, possibly the following June.
Other topics include University of Oklahoma football, Oklahoma's victory over Northwestern, hopes for another bowl appearance, and his government career.
Bob writes about his civil service probationary period and prospects for a permanent appointment, noting that he stood 350 on the junior list and 465 on the senior list.
The accompanying envelope was mailed from Washington, D.C. on October 17, 1939. It is hand marked “AIR MAIL” and bears two cancelled purple 3-cent Thomas Jefferson stamps, providing the 6-cent domestic airmail postage.
An interesting piece of prewar American social and government history, written approximately six weeks after the beginning of World War II in Europe and nearly two years before the United States entered the war.
This letter is part of a larger group of family correspondence spanning a number of years. Other letters may be available separately.
Please review photographs for complete contents and condition. Original mailing folds, age-related wear and marks are present. The envelope has been opened and shows wear and remnants of the original adhesive on the reverse.
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