1937 – A letter from a Boy Scout attending the First National Jamboree in Washington DC

Washington, DC, 1837. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This two-page letter from Harold Segerstrom, Jr. at the Boy Scouts of America First National Jamboree held in Washington DC is datelined “Region II Section 13 / Troop 25 / Boy Scout Jamboree / Wash., D.C. / July 8, 1937. It is written on colorful jamboree stationery and enclosed in its original Jamboree envelope franked with a 3-cent Washington stamp that has been cancelled with a July 10 Washington DC machine postmark advertising airmail service. The illustrated letter sheet and envelope feature a burning fire with upward rising smoke that rises toward a colorful illustration of the official jamboree (truncated) insignia. In nice shape.

In the letter, Harold thanks family friends, the Lees from Morris Plains, New Jersey, for sending him spending money, one dollar. The heartfelt letter is loaded with information about the jamboree. It reads in part:

“Thanks a million for the dollar it sure will come in handy. I am thrilled to learn that you think of me often. I often think of you too. Yes, I have already made many new friends & done many wonderful things.

“This morning I saw the president [Franklin D. Roosevelt] for the first time. The whole 26,000 lined up and he rode past us. I stood about 15 feet from him. I suppose I should have been thrilled but I was rather disappointed. His wife [Eleanor] had her head in her hand and he just sat with his hat off an smiled. But what could I expect. . ..
“Yesterday we took a trip to Mount Vernon. The gardens there are very nicely kept. . .. We went by boat. . .. I have just returned from the capitol, Library of Congress & Representatives & Senators Offices. . .. They gave us a half pint of ice cream and their passes to the Senate session & to the rep in session. Both had their pictures. I had a fine time. We saw the Constitution [and] Declaration of Independence. . ..

“We had fireworks here on the fifth. They went up down by the [Washington] monument. . .. To-morrow we go to the Federal Bearue of Investigation [and] we leave Saturday morning . . . for home." National Jamborees are gatherings of Scouts from around the country (and even the world) that are usually held every four years. After being delayed for two years because of a Polio outbreak, the first Jamboree was held on the National Mall and was attended by over 25,000 scouts who camped around the Washington Monument and Tidal Basin. In addition to the activities described by Harold, the scouts were also able to attend a three-game baseball series between the Washington Senators and the Boston Red Sox.

Quite scarce. At the time of listing, nothing similar is for sale in the trade. The Rare Book Hub and ABPC report nothing similar has appeared at auction, and OCLC show none held in institutional collections. However records show one similar set was sold ten years ago, and that two other Jamboree envelopes without contents have been sold in its auctions. (Inventory #: 010383)