Madame Chiang, wife of Chiang Ching-kuo, sends year-end holiday greetings to close friends

Faina Chiang Fang-liang, 1916–2004, known as Madame Chiang Ching-kuo.  First Lady of the Republic of China, 1978–1988.  Autograph note signed, Fiana & Ching-kuo, on note card stationery of Mrs. Chiang Ching-kuo with autograph emendation Gen. & before her name, 4⅛” x 3”, no date, no place [Taipei, Taiwan].

Madame Chiang sends birthday greetings from her husband and herself to U.S. Army Maj. Harold Lindsey “Lin” Arison, Jr. (1919–1998).   In full:  “Happy Birthday / to / Mr. Arison / Faina & Ching-kuo.”

Madame Chiang was the wife of Nationalist Chinese President Chiang Ching-kuo, the oldest and only biological child of Chiang Kai-shek.  Chiang met her when he lived and worked in the former Soviet Union, and they were married in 1935.  She took the Chinese name Chiang Fang-liang and thereafter was known as Faina Chiang Fang-liang.  She became the First Lady of the Republic of China when Chiang, who was Premier at the time of his father’s death in 1975, later became President in 1978.  She was the First Lady until Chiang died in 1988.

The Chiangs were close friends of Arison and his wife, Mary Jane (1923–2004).  Arison was a U.S. Army bandmaster who served on loan from the Army as Chiang Kai-shek’s Military Music Advisor from 1954 until he retired from the Army in 1963. 

Madame Chiang has written and signed this note in black fountain pen.  The piece shows a bit of foxing, and there are a couple of stains along the right edge of the front of the card.  The piece is in fine condition.

This letter comes directly from the Arison 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.

Unframed.