Seth Kaller, Inc.

“there is one thing you want to think about and that is to have pride enough to accomplish the things you start out to do.”

In this warm letter to his teenaged son, attending the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, Walter Chrysler provides fatherly advice about determination, commitment, friendships, and partnerships.

WALTER P. CHRYSLER. Typed Letter Signed “Dad,” to Walter P. Chrysler Jr., January 31, 1925, New York, NY. On personal letterhead; includes original mailing envelope. 4 pp., 8 x 10 in.

Inventory #26775       Price: $1,200

Excerpts
“The thing you want to watch out for, Walter, is to be careful about association with certain boys you pick up with and do not let any of them influence you into going into things you hadn’t ought to be thinking of until you are twenty-two or twenty-three years old. Your success in life is going to depend upon the next eight years in school, how well you come through, how well you develop yourself and your own individuality, plus studying the personality of other people as to whether you would like to be associated with them or not. You will find as you go along that some you will like as good friends and close associates while others you will like as friends occasionally, but always keep this in mind, do not go into partnership with anyone. Train yourself to do the things in life that you want to do, without having to depend upon others.”

“You know there is one thing you want to think about and that is to have pride enough to accomplish the things you start out to do.”

“You have a mind of your own, you are forceful, have a lot of determination and courage, and I know if you will settle down and make up your mind to go through, not only 100% but way above par, the results will be very gratifying to you. Some of these other boys are merely going to get by, and that is what they will be doing all their lives, merely getting by.”

“Do not let this letter worry you and do not think it is criticism. I am merely trying to write you good advice which I would like to have anyone give me.”

Walter P. Chrysler (1875-1940) was born in Kansas and began his career as a machinist and railroad mechanic. He moved frequently, working in various railroad jobs in the West. He eventually became manager of the locomotive production shops of the American Locomotive Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A banker at that company introduced him to Charles W. Nash, president of Buick Motor Company, who hired Chrysler as a production chief in Flint, Michigan. When he resigned in 1916, the founder of General Motors personally appealed to him to remain and offered a very lucrative salary with bonuses. Chrysler ran Buick for three more years, resigning in 1919 and leaving as one of the richest men in America. After serving as president of Willys-Overland Motor Company in Ohio for two years, Chrysler acquired a controlling interest in the Maxwell Motor Company, which he absorbed into his new Chrysler Corporation in Detroit in 1925. In addition to Chrysler, the company also included Plymouth and DeSoto cars, and in 1928 Chrysler purchased Dodge Brothers to add to the portfolio as Dodge. That same year, he financed the construction of the Chrysler Building in New York City, which was completed in 1930. He was Time magazine’s Man of the Year for 1928.

Walter P. Chrysler Jr. (1909-1988) was born in Iowa and grew up on his family’s estate on Long Island, New York. He attended The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, and Dartmouth College but left after his junior year in 1931. He began collecting art at The Hotchkiss School and started an art magazine at Dartmouth with fellow student Nelson Rockefeller. He took a grand tour of Europe and met many important artists from whom he purchased works and amassed a large collection of modern art. In 1934, he founded the Airtemp division of the Chrysler Corporation, which developed the first automobile air-conditioning system. From 1935 to 1953, he served as president of the Chrysler Building. In April 1942, Chrysler enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant and served as an avionics officer. When his father died in 1940, Chrysler inherited one-quarter of an $8.8 million estate. In 1956, he retired from business to devote himself to the arts.

Condition: Fine, with a small rusty paper clip impression on the first page.