Letter from John Dillinger to Henry Ford in Praise of the Ford V-8 Car, May 16, 1934
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Did John Dillinger write to Henry Ford praising the industrialist's "wonderful car"? In 1934, Ford Motor Company received this letter apparently signed by Dillinger. Federal handwriting experts, however, concluded that the signature was not that of the fugitive gangster. Dillinger's tribute to Ford vehicles may never be confirmed because in July 1934 Public Enemy Number One was gunned down by U.S. agents. …
Did John Dillinger write to Henry Ford praising the industrialist's "wonderful car"? In 1934, Ford Motor Company received this letter apparently signed by Dillinger. Federal handwriting experts, however, concluded that the signature was not that of the fugitive gangster. Dillinger's tribute to Ford vehicles may never be confirmed because in July 1934 Public Enemy Number One was gunned down by U.S. agents.
Transcription:
Hello Old Pal:-Arrived here at 10 A.M. today. Would like to drop in and see you. You have a wonderful car. Been driving it for three weeks. Its a treat to drive one. Your slogan should be, Drive a Ford and watch the other cars fall behind you. I can make any other car take a Ford's dust.
Bye-Bye.
John Dillinger
Artifact
Letter (Correspondence)
Date Made
16 May 1934
Subject Date
16 May 1934
Keywords
Collection Title
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
64.167.1.27
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Handwriting
Color
Brown
Dimensions
Height: 11 in
Width: 8.5 in
Inscriptions
Handwritten on front: May 16 - 34 / Hello Old Pal, / Arrived here at 10 AM today. / Would like to drop in and see you. / You have a wonderful car. Been driving / it for three weeks. / Its a treat to drive one. / Your slogan should be, / Drive a Ford and watch the other cars fall behind you. I can make any other / car take a Ford's dust. / Bye-Bye / John Dillinger Ink stamp on front: Henry Ford / RECEIVED / may 17 1934 / Secretary's Office
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