602.     [AIREY, REV. J.W.E.] Small archive, primarily consisting of correspondence and photographs, from the estate of Rev. J.W.E. Airey of Houston, Texas, including a typed letter, signed, from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Much of the material relates to Airey’s work on a biography of frontiersman Tom Tobin, and to other subjects such as his research for the National Frontiersmen’s Association. Included are:

1. Typed letter, signed, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Airey, Chaplain, The National Frontiersmen’s Association. On pale green White House stationary, dated October 27, 1937, Hyde Park, New York. In envelope, postmarked October 27, 1937, Poughkeepsie, New York. Fine.

     This letter sends greetings to the National Frontiersmen’s Association and wishes them well for their forthcoming round-up.

2. Typed letter, signed, from E.R. Garner, Secretary to the United States Vice President, to Airey, declining to attend the National Frontiersmen’s Houston convention. On Vice President’s Chambers letterhead, dated October 28, 1937, Uvalde, Texas. Envelope postmarked Uvalde, Texas, October 28, 1937. Fine.

3. 12 gelatin silver photographic prints, each about 12.5 x 18.3 cm. N.p., n.d. (ca. 1930s), including images of Airey and Pawnee Bill. Mostly fine condition.

4. Western Union telegram to Airey from Elmer Parker, dated November 5, 1936. Telegram discusses a medical operation performed on “Dad” (Quanah Parker). Creased with one tiny tear, otherwise very good.

5. About 20 pieces of handwritten and typed correspondence (letters, cards, and carbon copies), dating from the mid-1930s through 1940, to and from Airey, most relating to Airey’s research on Tom Tobin, about whom he intended to write a biography. Correspondents include Kit Carson III, Mr. L.G. Morse, J.D. Frazey (editor, The Antonito News, Antonito, Colorado), photographer O.T. Davis, and Albert Sanford of the Colorado State Museum, among others. Also included are two sealed letters retuned as undeliverable: One to Col. H.M. Morse (deceased) and one to the Wells’ Music Store, Pueblo, Colorado (out of business). Very good to fine condition.

6. Typescript, titled “A Visit with Charles Carson, Kit’s Only Living Son.” 6 separate leaves, typed on rectos only. A few creases and small dog-eared leaves, text lightly age-toned, otherwise near fine.

     The Rev. J.W.E. Airey, of Houston, Texas was the Chaplain of the National Frontiersmen’s Association. At the time period covered by this small archive, he was researching a biography of frontiersman Tom Tobin, an associate of Kit Carson. Airey originally collected several items in this catalogue, including the photographs in part from the estate of Nate Salsbury. Also see the following item in this catalogue under Sam Houston Whittler’s Club. This obituary appeared in the Southern Historical Quarterly 48:3 (January, 1945):

Reverend J.W.E. Airey of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas, died October 31, 1944. Rev. Mr. Airey was much interested in the West and the frontier and had written a series of articles dealing with the Comanches. One of his principal hobbies was the Frontiersmen's Museum.

($250-500)

Auction 22 Part II Abstracts