Description:

(LINDBERGH BABY KIDNAPPING ARCHIVE)
Fine archive pertaining to the 1932 "Crime of the Century," the kidnapping and subsequent death of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh's and his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh's infant child. A German immigrant carpenter named Bruno Richard Hauptmann was eventually convicted of the crime and sentenced to death. The archive includes a series of Associated Press photographs and several letters from New Jersey Governor Harold G. Hoffman, who doubted Hauptmann's guilt but was unable to stop his electrocution: T.L.S. on New Jersey Executive Department letterhead, 1p., 4to., Trenton, January 18, 1936, to Rudolf Voigt of Milwaukee. In part: "...Thank you for your position of interest in the Hauptmann case. I believe that human life is sacred and that those who take it should be punished. It is my sincere wish, however, that every question that has been raised in connection with this case should be definitely and positively cleared up... the entire world will regard this case as a yardstick with which to measure the dimensions of American justice... I shall not regret any action I have taken in following the dictates of my conscience...". With an additional T.L.S. on New Jersey Executive Department letterhead, 1p., 4to., Trenton, April 7, 1936 to William Smith of Brooklyn: "...I am sure that time will justify my efforts to secure the full truth before the execution of Hauptmann...". Also included are several typed drafts of a statement by released by Governor Hoffman regarding his attempted reprieve of Hauptmann, dated April 3 and April 6, 1936. With a series of Associated Press photographs relating to the trial, including: a head and shoulders image of the Lindbergh baby, 7" x 5" b/w, dated September 20, 1934; a picture of Lindbergh arriving for the second day of the trial, 9" x 7" b/w, January 3, 1935; Anne Morrow Lindbergh in a fine fur coat arriving at the trial, 9" x 7" b/w, January 4, 1934. Condition varies, overall very good to fine.

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May 14, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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