WILLIAM BENTON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 03/01/1961 - HFSID 296193

WILLIAM BENTON
TLS with handwritten postscript, signed as Publisher of Encyclopedia Britannica
Typed Letter signed: "Bill Benton", 1 page, 8½x11. New York, N. Y., 1961 March 1. On his letterhead as Publisher and Chairman of Encyclopedia Britannica to Leon Gutterman, Wisdom Magazine, Beverly Hills, California. In full: "Your long letter written on Washington's birthday is very interesting and I know you will not mind my sharing it with Bob Conger and other associates. I am very pleased at your high opinion of Compton's. This coincides with the reports that have come to me through Britannica's Editorial Department. Compton's editors have been partners in the company and indeed Compton's is the only company that I've run into in the book field which has paid its editors more than its sales managers! I myself spent countless hours studying Compton's and I share your enthusiasm. I'm greatly interested to know that you are considering a soft cover printing of your Wisdom Great Books issue. I cannot guide you as to whether the Britannica will want any substantial number of copies. Bob Conger is away on a greatly needed three-week holiday. He's been working day and night on the Compton negotiation. He will write and tell you of our interest when he returns. However, I shall check with other associates to see if I can get you an answer even more rapidly. No, I'm not interested in an ambassadorship, but many thanks. And my warmest best wishes to you and Betty Jane. Sincerely". [signature] Handwritten postscript: "Is it true you are about to bring out an issue on the Harvard Classics?!" William Benton (1900-1973) co-founded (with Chester Bowles) the New York advertising agency Benton & Bowles (1929). He was Vice President of the University of Chicago (1937-1945), and publisher and chairman of Encyclopedia Britannica from 1943 until his death. In 1949, he was appointed to fill an unexpired US Senate term by his old partner, Governor Chester Bowles of Connecticut. He won election to the remainder of the term in 1950, defeating Prescott Bush (father and grandfather of the Bush Presidents), but lost his bid for a full term in 1952. While in the Senate, he introduced the resolution censuring Senator Joseph McCarthy. Benton ran for the Senate again in 1958, but lost in the Democratic primary to Bowles and the winner, Thomas Dodd). He was US Ambassador to UNESCO (1963-1968). Compton's Encyclopedia, a home and school encyclopedia, was purchased by Encyclopedia Britannica in 1961, the year of this letter. Wisdom magazine (1956-1964), started with good intentions, but its reputation was sullied when it offered Wisdom Awards of Honor to thousands of people if they would pay $100 each for the honor. Toned and creased. Top edge torn. Corners creased. Multiple mailing folds. Otherwise, fine condition.