Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Purvis, Melvin Horace (1903-1960) to Rosanne Purvis

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06273 Author/Creator: Purvis, Melvin Horace (1903-1960) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 September 1943 Pagination: 2 p. ; 21.5 x 13.9 cm. Order a Copy

Writes a love letter to wife during World War II. Mentions receipt of her letter and his concern that the censor is holding up his correspondence. Encourages his wife not to worry about him and to be strong for the baby coming and the little boy. Expresses how much he loves and misses her and cannot wait to be together with her again. Written on two sheets of USO stationery.

Purvis was head of the Chicago office of the FBI, and is best known as the federal agent responsible for bringing several notorious criminals to justice including John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd. He served in World War II as a lieutenant colonel.

Purvis, Melvin Horace, 1903-1960
Purvis, Roseanne, fl. 1943

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