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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.

Diamond, Sidney (1922-1945) to Estelle Spero

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09120.552 Author/Creator: Diamond, Sidney (1922-1945) Place Written: Unknown Island in South Pacific Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 December 1944 Pagination: 5 p. ; 21.5 x 28 cm. Order a Copy

Diamond writes, "It is difficult at present to be the cold, the practical…I cannot say where we are, what we are doing, what we will do - There's been so much between us unsaid and undone - So much of our lives missed - " He instructs Estelle that, whatever happens, she should "be happy". He continues: "…get everything we would have liked - fill your life - - (er - only keep my little niche open - so if I ever get home - I'll know there's one place waiting for me - - my corner of the world - Let it be a small alcove in your heart…"

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