This is Mr. Careu Kent.
Now I know what you're thinking."Paul, put your glasses on. That's quite clearly Charles Lindbergh."
And you'd be right. But so am I.
Because for 17 years Lindbergh lived an astonishing double life.
A life that's almost impossible to imagine today.
Despite being one of the world's most famous men, he managed to keep an enormous secret that stunned the world decades after he died.
Three mistresses. Three secret families. And seven illegitimate children.
To them he wasn't pioneering aviator Charles Lindbergh.
He was their father. The elusive travelling businessman.
Mr. Careu Kent.
And today's featured item is part of his incredible story.
A rare and revealing letter.
The letter consists of five pages in fine condition, with each sheet measuring 5.5” by 8.25”.He clearly marked it as “Confidential and personal”.
And the content is significant to his secret double life.
If you collect aviation memorabilia, this is a superb item to own.
- Handwritten by one of the most famous names of the 20th century
- In stunning condition with a fine Lindbergh signature
- With content on the U.S Air Force and Pan Am Airways
- And an astonishing personal story to match
He became the most famous person in the world literally overnight.
A heroic pioneer celebrated in the Smithsonian.
But if you want to know more about Lindbergh's life...
This letter gives you a view of the man behind the myth.
Mysterious business trips.
The letter is dated March 11, 1956, and addressed to Lt. General Emmett O'Donnell, Deputy Chief of Staff of Personnel of the U.S Air Force.Lindbergh writes about his appointment to the Board of Visitors at the Air Academy and his work as a consultant for Pan Am Airways.
It reveals the intense pressure he was under from his work commitments.
And his desperate wish to avoid any kind of publicity.
"Frankly, I am in a quandary. I am most anxious to support the interests of the Air Force in every way I can; but I am already overcommitted and I do not see how I can devote the time...
“I have laid plans to be abroad a large part of the time during the next several months, in connection with Pan American Airways activities and with writing projects...”
Years later it was revealed that Lindbergh used this time abroad for much more than just work and "writing projects".
His business trips to Europe were the perfect cover.
And that's where Mr. Careu Kent comes in.
A stunning secret life
Several months later, during one of his trips abroad, Lindbergh began a passionate affair with Brigitte Hesshaimer, a 31-year-old hat maker living in Germany.
Soon after he began another affair – with Brigitte's sister Marietta.
And as if that wasn't enough, he then began a third affair with Valeska, his German translator and private secretary.
He kept these extra-marital affairs hidden from the rest of the world - including his wife Anne and their five children in the U.S.
Over the next nine years, from 1958 to 1967, he fathered seven children between these women, and kept his true identity secret from them.
Lindbergh may have battled the odds and the elements during his non-stop trans-Atlantic flight in 1927...
But juggling four women and twelve children on two different continents was a difficult feat in itself!
The serial adulterer.
Lindbergh's words appear fresh on the page, and he signs off simply as "Charles", with his full name and address written beside the signature.
In another significant part of the letter, Lindbergh discusses his desire to avoid publicity, after decades in the spotlight, writing:
“...for years I have tried to avoid contact with the modern Press, so I can travel, think, and work, effectively.”
During his frequent visits to Germany, it appears he was doing something else rather effectively as well.
He maintained this double life until his death in 1974, and on his deathbed wrote letters to his three mistresses, asking them to keep his secrets.
It wasn't until the 1980s that his daughter Astrid spotted a picture of her father in a magazine...
And realized 'Careu Kent' was one of the most famous men of the 20th century.
The truth was only revealed in 2003, through DNA testing.
But Lindbergh took the full story of his secret life to the grave.
Hounded by the press.
It's no surprise that Charles Lindbergh was desperate for privacy.
After his trans-Atlantic solo flight in 1927, he experienced a level of fame on a global scale that nobody has encountered before or since.
On his return to the U.S he was greeted on the streets by literally millions of people, all desperate to catch a glimpse of their hero.
“It's hard to describe the impact Lindbergh had on people. Even the first walk on the moon doesn't come close,” said fellow pilot Elinor Smith Sullivan.
His life was a fierce media circus, which intensified in 1932 when his infant son was tragically kidnapped and murdered.
That's why he writes to O'Donnell:
"I do not want to take on work which involves contact with photographers and reporters."
As this letter shows, Lindbergh's life was a constant flight from the spotlight.
It reveals a man consumed by his work. And his secrets.
Own this rare letter today.
If you love uncovering stories from the past through your collection...
And learning more about the heroes of history...
This Charles Lindbergh letter is a fine piece to own.
• It's handwritten and signed by one of history's greatest aviators.
• It's presented in exceptional condition.
• And it's connected to the deepest secrets of his life.
It's a superb piece for anyone with a keen interest in aviation history.
And a strong addition to every 20th century autograph collection.
So buy it now for just £5,995.
You have 3 simple and secure ways to place your order.
- Email me at info@paulfrasercollectibles.com
- Call me on +44 (0) 1534 639 998.
- Or click below to complete your purchase in our online store.
Purchase this letter now
Your lifetime guarantee.
This Charles Lindbergh handwritten & signed letter comes with a Lifetime Moneyback Guarantee and my Certificate of Authenticity.
And it also comes with an RR Auction Certificate of Authenticity.
So that's a double lock to give you total peace of mind.
And don't forget, delivery is completely free and fully insured.
If you'd like to know more about this item, please get in touch today.
Email at info@paulfrasercollectibles.com.
Or call me on +44 (0) 1534 639 998.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Until next time,
Paul Fraser.
P.S. For further images, and to read more of this rare letter, click here. If you have a passion for aviation history, it's well worth your time!
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