100

SURVIVOR OF DRESDEN BOMBING WARNS OF EXTINCTION OF HUMANITY VONNEGUT, KURT. Typed Letter Signed, "Kay," with holograph date and underlines, to brother Bernard Vonnegut and his wife ("Dear Bernard and Bow"), urging them to demand of President Truman that he lead in the creation of an effective world government or risk nuclear annihilation. 1 page, 4to; faint toning affecting upper margin, folds. Np, [30 May] 1946


  • Notes: Written in all caps: "THIS IS AN URGENT FLASH: IF YOU GIVE A DAMN ABOUT YOURSELVES AND YOUR SON, THEN YOU MUST WRITE PRESIDENT TRUMAN AT ONCE AND DEMAND THAT THE UNITED STATES MAKE A DEFINITE ATTEMPT TO ORGANIZE A REAL WORLD FEDERATION. THE UNITED NATIONS IS AN ENFEEBLED FIASCO. IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE WE SHALL ALL BE KILLED. IT IS AS SIMPLE AS THAT--CLEAN CUT, A CHOICE: LIFE OR DEATH. IT WOULD TAKE FIFTEEN HIROSHIMA BOMBS TO WIPE OUT GREAT BRITAIN. THE U.S. STOCKPILE IS ESTIMATED AT FIFTEEN-HUNDRED. . . .
    ". . . WRITE TRUMAN EVERY DAY; PLEAD, SCREAM, TEAR YOUR HAIR, KICK, BITE AND SCRATCH. THIS IS IT. THIS IS WHERE WE MUST DECIDE: SHOULD HUMANITY GO ON OR END IN OUR TIME? IT MAY END NEXT YEAR OR NEXT MONTH.
    "I'LL NOT FORGET DRESDEN. VICTORY: OVER ONE-HUNDRED THOUSAND HUMAN BEINGS VERY MUCH LIKE YOU TWO AND YOUR SON BURNED, CRUSHED AND SUFFOCATED IN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. THAT WAS TNT. IF THERE IS ANOTHER WAR AND IF WE 'WIN' IT, LIFE WILL NOT BE WORTH LIVING. AND ONE DAY SOME SMALL COUNTRY WILL SPRINKLE US WITH INFANTILE PARALYSIS GERMS AND THAT WILL BE THE END OF THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH."

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

June 15, 2023 12:00 PM EDT
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000