“It is a time for remembering the past, assessing the future and thinking of old friends.”

Chiang Ching-kuo, 1910–1988.  Son of Chiang Kai-shek; 3rd President of the Republic of China, 1978–1988; 9th Premier of the Republic of China, 1972–1978; Minister of National Defense, 1965–1969.  Typed letter signed, Chiang Ching-kuo, one page, 8½” x 11”, on stationery of the Office of the Premier, Republic of China, no place [Taipei, Taiwan], December 10, 1974.

Chiang sends holiday greetings to H. L. “Lin” Arison, Jr., an America Army bandmaster who served as the Military Music Advisor to his father.  He writes, in full:  “This is the season of holidays in your part of the world, and the Chinese New Year’s season will soon be upon us.  It is a time for remembering the past, assessing the future and thinking of old friends.  /  Please accept my warm good wishes for joyous holidays and for health and prosperity in the coming year.  You shall be in our thoughts; we hope we shall be in yours.  /  The happiest of Holiday Seasons to you and your loved ones.”

Chiang Ching-kuo was the oldest and the only biological son of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, who ruled China until Mao’s Communist forces drove the nationalist government to the island of Taiwan.  Chiang Kai-shek groomed Chiang Ching-kuo for some 30 years to take over leadership of Nationalist China.  Chiang Ching-kuo was the Premier of the Republic of China at the time of his father’s death in 1975 and later succeeded him as President in 1978.  He served as President until his own death in 1988.

As this letter shows, the Chiang family and the Arisons were close friends, owing to the Arisons’ time on Taiwan.  This letter comes directly from the family and has not been offered on the autograph market before.  We are separately offering other letters by Chiang Ching-kuo and an archive of letters by Madame Chiang Kai-shek to the Arisons.  Click here and scroll down to see those listings.

This is a very nice letter.  Chiang has signed in blue ballpoint pen.  The letter has two horizontal mailing folds that do not affect either the signature or the typewritten text.  There are two thin spots in the paper in the blank area above and to the left of the printed letterhead, affecting nothing, and the letter shows scattered handling marks.  The letter is in fine condition.

Unframed.