Madame Chiang, a Christian, sends thanks for the gift of a “beautifully bound white engraved Bible”

Mayling Soong Chiang, also known as Madame Chiang Kai-shek, 1898–2003.  First Lady of the Republic of China,  1943–1975.  Typed letter signed, Mayling Soong Chiang, with autograph emendations and postscript signed, M.S.C., one page, 7” x 10½”, on engraved, blind-embossed stationery of the Office of the President, Republic of China, Taipei, Taiwan, January 6, 1962.  With original envelope.

Madame Chiang thanks Maj. and Mrs. Lin Arison, Sr., for a Bible that they gave her for Christmas, and in return she sends them an appointment diary that “shows some phases of Taiwan life.”  She writes, in full:  Just before Christmas I received the beautifully bound white engraved Bible through Mr. and Mrs. Arison, Jr.  It is a lovely edition.  Thank you very much for it, and for your thoughtfulness in sending it to me.  /  Your son and daughter-in-law are two of my very good friends, and I am so glad that they had the opportunity to visit you with their family.  /  May the new year be one of joy and fulfillment for you.  /  With every good wish . . . ”  In a three-line handwritten postscript, she adds:  “P.S.  I am sending you an appointment diary put out by the Ministry of Information as it shows some phases of Taiwan life.”

Although Chinese, Madame Chiang was a professing Christian.  She married Chiang Kai-shek, a Buddhist, in 1927 after he promised her mother that he would convert to Christianity.  Madame Chiang was active in the political life of the Republic of China, particularly after Chiang Kai-shek became President.  Among other things, she served from 1967 to 1992 as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Fu Lin Catholic University, a private Catholic university established in Beijing and reestablished on Taiwan in 1961. 

The recipients of this letter, U.S. Army Maj. Harold Lindsey “Lin” Arison, Sr. (1919–1998) and his wife, Mary Jane (1923–2004), were close to the Chiangs.  Lin Arison, Sr., was an American Army bandmaster who served as Chiang Kai-shek’s Military Music Advisor.  He rearranged and harmonized the national anthem of the Republic of China, which still uses his version. 

The letter is a beautiful example of Madame Chiang’s holograph and signature.  By hand, in addition to the salutation, Madame Chiang adds, “Yours cordially.”  She has written the salutation, closing, and postscript and has signed in blue ballpoint pen.  The letter has two horizontal mailing folds, one of which barely touches the tail of the “Y” in “Yours.” The envelope is toned but has never been sealed.  It has no postal markings because it was hand delivered to the Arisons’ son and daughter-in-law with a letter that we are offering separately here.  Both this letter and the envelope are in very fine condition.

Unframed.