IVAN R. GATES - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 04/21/1932 - HFSID 31747

IVAN R. GATES
Fallen on hard times the former Flying Circus impresario, who would commit suicide later that year, signs a typed 1932 letter to the Hearst newspapers, disassociating himself from a threatened lawsuit by artists featured in his "cheap, tawdry exhibit."
Typed Letter signed: "Ivan R. Gates", 1 page, 7¼X10½. New York City, 1932 April 21. On letterhead of the Salon des Arts to My dear friend Roger". In full: "Just a line or two to tell you, (and please see that Bill Hearst knows it), that I am in no way associated with the group of artists who vow soon to take action against Mr. Louis Sobol, in company with the New York Evening Journal, for what they consider 'criminal libel' against their works that hang in this gallery. I have endeavored to halt this action, but each artist is insistent that somebody be made, as they say, 'eat' the words, 'So I repeat, it's a cheap, tawdry exhibit with no claim to art'. Personally, dear Friend, I recognize solumnistic [?] prerogative, and I bow my head humbly to whatever ire, mire or satire is forthcoming from any quarter. If we are to exhibit on Broadway, we certainly should be willing to take it - from Sobol too. And I, as an individual, am prepared to do just that. However, I will consider it a genuine favor if you will convey to Mr. Sobel the news that I am not exactly what he so wittily calls a 'Yap.' Also, for his soul's solace, the photostatic reproduction of his erudite column has been removed from the front of our, s'help me, strictly legitimate Art Gallery. I am still seeking to soothe the artistic disgruntlement. Possibly a couple more applications of sugared words, and fond strokings will induce the boys to call off the dogs. I do hope so! But kindly ask Mr. Sobol in the future to aim his shafts at me. I don't mind a bit! With best wishes, and warm personal regards to Mr. Bill and yourself, I am Sincerely yours". Ivan R. Gates (1890-1932) taught himself to fly an airplane, and then organized an aerial stunt show which was billed (after 1921) as Gates Flying Circus. Gates didn't perform himself, but hired famous early pilots like Clyde Pangborn and Didier Masson. He placed less value on his wing walkers and other stunt performers, however, leaving their names off his flyers so he wouldn't have to print new ads whenever one fell to his death. Gates' "air daredevils" performed at racetracks, fair grounds, or wherever they could find an audience. When Pangborn got in trouble for taking photos over forbidden areas in Japan, a pundit noted that - had Gates been along - he would have charged the Emperor $10 to look at the photos, and then another dollar for a bag of peanuts. A less successful venture was his Gates Aircraft Corporation, which tried to market an aircraft of Belgian design in 1929 but built only two of the models. Depressed by his failing business ventures, Gates was reduced by 1932 to charging 15 cents admission to Broadway and Coney Island "art shows" featuring nudes painted by local artists. Some of the old chutzpah obviously remained however, as in calling newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst "Mr. Bill," as Gates does in this letter? In late November 1932, Gates told his wife, "I think I'll jump out the window," and then leaped to his death from his Manhattan apartment. Louis Sobol (1896-1986) wrote an entertainment column, "New York Cavalcade," for the Hearst newspaper chain for more than 40 years. Sobol was known for his generous reviews, so Gates' show must have been especially bad. Normal horizontal mailing folds. Paperclip crease and rust at upper left corner. Pencil marks at edges and in first paragraph. ¼" tear at margin between 3rd and 4th paragraphs. Lightly toned and creased.