An Archive of 2 books (Tom Lea’s The Hands of Cantu INSCRIBED to Stanford President Wallace Sterling and Crume’s The World of Paul Crume), each accompanied by a warm TLS to Sterling on Erik Jonsson’s personal letterhead

1985. Hardcover. Two books in dustjackets, each accompanied by an emotional TLS to Stanford President Wallace Sterling on Erik Jonsson’s personal letterhead. A glimpse into the relationship between two American icons. J. Erik Jonsson, co-founder and President/Chairman of Texas Instruments (1951-1966), visionary Mayor of Dallas (1964-71) and noted philanthropist. Item #17862

In his May 6, 1985 letter (addressed to ‘My dear Wally’) Jonsson commiserates about their mutual recoveries from illnesses and shares Cantu (calling it ‘a fine reading experience’). He advises he would like to send Sterling a second book (Crume) ‘if that much reading now appeals to you.’ He concludes ‘Grandson Erik – and all my family – join in sending you and your lady our warmest personal wishes. We pray the health of both of you improves daily…’ The accompanying book is inscribed ‘For Wally – after a partially successful chase for an “exhalation of jets” – Best wishes – Erik’). Having had a reply from Sterling, Jonsson followed up with a June 20 letter accompanying the Crume book; ‘The delivery of this letter... will be made by Art Charette with whom I will have the pleasure of two visits (dinner with the Charltons and him and at the office when he and Mr. Riggs are here… I was both thrilled and elated by your wonderful and kind letter...’ Jonsson continues how pleased he was to learn that Sterling expects to be in his Stanford office by the fall, and at Sterling’s ‘renewed invitation to favorite grandson/namesake – Erik.’ It is likely Sterling and Jonsson met through Cecil H. Green, a co-founder with Jonsson of Texas Instruments and a major contributor to Stanford. Green was lead donor for the construction of the Cecil H. Green Library, the centerpiece of Stanford's second comprehensive university fundraising campaign that raised $304 million during the mid-1970s, after which Sterling was known as "Stanford's man with the Midas touch”. Dr. Sterling died shortly after the second letter (July 1, 1985). 'Grandson Erik' (Erik Charlton) went on to receive a Masters degree from Stanford and as of 2017 is active in several Silicon Valley businesses.

Price: $500.00