An Unwanted Autograph - J. Edgar Hoover

by Kevin McCarthy
(Lynn, MA)

From 1947-1977, my father was a special agent in the FBI. His last post was as Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the Montana/Idaho Division based in Butte, Montana, from 1968 until his retirement in 1977. I have four pictures and some letters. I am writing to try to get an idea of their value.

I have correspondence from J. Edgar Hoover, both business and personal, addressed to my father, including a holiday card (which looks like a printed, not original signature), letters from Mr. Hoover congratulating my parents on the births of my two younger brothers, and thank you notes from Mr Hoover for my father's remembrance of Mr. Hoover's birthday and anniversary as Director of the Bureau.

I have a photocopy of a memorandum from Mr. Hoover to Clyde Tolson, Asst Director, dated 12/1/65 after a meeting with my father regarding his promotion to ASAC of the San Antonio, TX office, and I have a framed photo of the Director signed "to Vincent G. McCarthy, with all good wishes" J. Edgar Hoover, also dated 12/1/65.(photo #1) I also have a photo dated 12/1/65 which is a portrait of Asst. Director Tolson which reads "To Vincent McCarthy, with kind regards" Clyde Tolson (photo #2)

Photo #3 is a signed copy of the last official photo that Mr. Hoover posed for before his death in 1972, which is signed to both my mother and father and reads "To Katherine and Vincent McCarthy, with every good wish" J. Edgar Hoover and dated 3/29/72.

I have a copy of a redacted memo regarding a meeting that took place on 3/27/72 between my father and Mr. Hoover and a photo on that same date (3/27/72) that is the topic of the title of this post. The photo of Mr. Hoover was signed to Elizabeth Lochrie, an artist who specialized in paintings of Native Americans, who lived in Butte. My father had given the Director one of her paintings as a gift and he sent her a letter and signed photo stating his appreciation of her work. Ms. Lochrie apparently was not a fan of the Director and returned the photo to my mother (whom she knew as my mother had bought some of Ms. Lochrie's work before). The photo reads "To Elizabeth Lochrie Best Wishes" J. Edgar Hoover and is dated 3/27/72 and the accompanying letter reads "Dear Miss Lochrie: This morning I was presented your painting, 'Timothy Standing Elk', by Assistant Special Agent in Charge Vincent G. McCarthy of our Butte Office. I just wanted you to know how much I like your work and how very pleased I am to have it. Sincerely J. Edgar Hoover". The letter is also dated 3/27/72 and is on Mr. Hoover's stationary.

I would love to know what these items of history might be worth - especially the "Unwanted Autographed Photo and Letter."