This particular one caught me off guard as after I read I was just speechless no voice or image came to mind. A total white blank vision.
However, I had to push through after few hours otherwise I do not have anything to share. Even in that writing it was very thin so I asked Claude to interview me instead, one question at a time, until I had something to go on.
For the first paragraph I made a decision to share exactly what Rexford wrote and here is what he wrote as his opening sentences, “The ink was hardly dry on the historic document ending World War I when the American Legion was founded. The location was Paris, France. The occasion–a gathering of representatives of the first American expeditionary force. The date–March 15, 1919.
“Two months later, another convocation of ex-servicemen occurred in St. Louis, Missouri, where a tentative constitution was adopted. By an Act of Congress signed by President Woodrow Wilson on September 16, 1919, this new organization of servicemen was officially incorporated.”
All of Rexford’s letter is written strategically as a business letter. His choice of topic which is the First Day of Issue stamp is genius. He knows how to write a friendly educational story that happens to be about the stamps and not sounding like a salesman. That before ending his writing he will transition it into a business topic but very short. This to me tells me he is disciplined on his writing.
For my part instead of getting ahead of reading them all I made a choice to read only one letter at a time which will be the one I am going to write to build suspense especially to those that is been following my Instagram account. Mini series is what Thursday theme is all about anyway.
I have to say his letter when he mentioned the fitting of Foxboro’s measuring and controlling flow in 1919 and that year the Legion was formed is in alignment.
I wonder though why would he wrote that letter and address to a Purchasing Agent of UniRoyal. Could it be because he wish to invite that person or he is introducing himself and his business which I will never know. But the fact he wrote it, there is intention of act.
And about that stamp with its matching envelope I find it appealing because it is not only colorful but that image of the guy wearing a hat and behind him with three flags and that soldier next to the flag I will have to admit it looks emotionally sad.
No one could have predicted when Rexford wrote this letter back in 1969 to now 2026 the company continued to thrive along with the evolution of their instruments. Founded in 1908, it is a historic American company of industrial control systems and automation products.
Then I got stopped from my writing as I got curious if I will be able to find any information about Rexford online as when I googled him the year I found all his letters there was nothing to go on.
The internet didn’t disappoint this time as I’ve got more than what I expected. Not only information about the history of Foxboro but I also found a picture of him when he was younger as well on his senior years and his wife and siblings and other relatives.
Seeing his picture there is an admiration and respect because I finally have a face to reference all his letters. Same feeling with I came across Duke’s very first discovery of his picture on the magazine. Both existed in an era when I was not even born for so many more generation.
Two things that stand the most is I was always curious what is that letter A middle name stand for. This time I found is A stand for Allyn and most amazing part which I believed one more reason why I was the destined person who found these 99 letters is because we are both Cancer in zodiac sign him being June 25 while mine is June 26.
I recognize the nurturing aspect of Rexford’s personality reflected in his writing. Developing strong writing skills necessitates deep thinking, which can evolve into creative expression. For those of us who identify with the Cancer zodiac, emotions often run deep, and this sensitivity is evident in Rexford’s letters. He shares insightful information about the stamps he features, which adds an educational element for his readers—an approach I also strive for in my own writing. Both of us cultivate our creative writing, which remains a significant strength for each of us.
And this shows not only that I care about these letters but they are all kept safe inside a heavy binder with not only the page has its own protection but also the envelope.
I guess this is the end of my story because all of a sudden I saw a vision of Duke Kahanamoku coming forward which tells me I have another story to write but I can guarantee Rexford will appear on my writing for Duke.
This never happened except now, one story sharing by two real people in their time shared the same space.
How neat is that and I love it.
