October 1940

Mary Poltrack wrote to her brother Eddie about the photos he mailed to the family. She also asks about his teeth, his weight, his uniform and his companions. She concludes with a suggestion that he mail his weekly schedule. It is an interesting read, and those of us who know our Aunt Mary can hear it in her voice. This was a tough transcription, so there may be some mistakes.

Transcription

I guess you’ll kind of appreciate Fran’s 2nd & 3rd paragraphs. - What, no stamps and cards, yet?

Oct, 1940

Dear Eddie,

     I guess we’re all a [illegible] involved. It’s quite an inconvenience having members of the family separated. Tonight at supper Henry’s reading one letter - Lil another, Charles another and Ad reading yours & Fran’s to Marcia for the third time. 

     There, wondering if there are any questions you and Fran, just never could get answered - and I guess Helen will take good care of you in mailing magazines, etc. I guess we sort of missed you both very much today. Helen will explain Marcia’s delight receiving your mail. That was a nice idea. John will tell you about John displaying your picture to gang at a football game - In discussing that at supper - he stated “That’s my story - when I said we must write that to Eddie”. Can you tell me just which pictures you want? - All - ? (and then send home) but I guess you must have all of yours & Fran’s? Marcia laughed at the one sleeping - “The helmet” . I took one [illegible] look at the negatives thought  that familiar comic pose of yours was one clutching a flying helmet [illegible] of work uniform! We’re quite amused at your taking pictures in “frames” [?] of airplanes - and others (no sign of you) - such beautiful planes! I know it’s not allowed near the others (Ford Symphony playing “Scheherazade” now - the ballet is going on in the West[?] this week). Reassure us about your teeth. Are they being taken care of? - oh yes - your pictures - a swell jacket - and your pants n’ brown n’ white shoes! However of course they looked like uniforms - we examined very closely - Your last letter was very chipper. Beautiful seriously - very distressed to hear about Jack [?] interesting companions. But you gained weight! - ! S’Wonderful.

     Send negatives as soon as you can - not necessarily in [illegible] to your weight tho’ - I guess you couldn’t tell by a picture - but pictures certainly make things clearer - If you don’t care about the idea of receiving old mail, let me know - But I thought t’would give you a clear [illegible] of fran’s doins’ even if they are old, since newer ones are still in circulation. - T’sint [sic] very important but do you write your train acquaintances? - & what is important - have you met any interesting people -?- I think it is a good idea for both of you to write a complete schedule of your doings  MON: Rise Time, Lunch etc, etc,  TUES: Rise Time, WED: etc. etc. Mail letter at the end of week.

Love and affection

Mary