skip to main content
Typed Letter Signed, with Vim and Vigor
1964. Hall of Famer Musial ("Stan the Man") played baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1963; in 1964, he began a three-year term as Consultant to the President on Physical Fitness, under Lyndon Johnson. This (form) letter, written on White House stationery, addressed to the Public Relations Director of the L.A. Dodgers, and signed by Musial as "Stan," asks for help, "since we don't have funds for advertising" in publicizing "two new books -- Vim for girls, Vigor for boys -- which explain how important [exercise] can be to their future." Included here are copies of Vim and Vigor, "A Complete Exercise Plan for Girls/Boys 12 to 18." [Washington, D.C.: President's Council on Physical Fitness, 1964]. Each is 24 pages, leading off with a Presidential Message from Johnson and concluding with a message from President Kennedy "prepared especially for this book in November, 1963." The 50+ year old advice is surprisingly current, and the advice across the two genders is surprisingly balanced. The letter is fine; the booklets are very good (Vim) and near fine (Vigor) in stapled wrappers. An example of President Kennedy's foresight in his emphasis on physical fitness, and the subsequent President taking up the mantle to continue his effort with the help of one of the athletic superstars of the day. [#032322] $500

All books are first printings of first editions or first American editions unless otherwise noted.