Luck chain letter (published). Prosperity type. The
Hyatt letter. Leading controlled list of 6 names & towns. Testimonials.
US, 1933.
We trust in God. He supplies our needs.
Mrs. F. Streuzel............ Mich.
Mrs. A.Ford, Chicago .........Ill.
Mrs. K.Adkins, Chicago . .....Ill.
Mrs. R.Arlington,.............Ill.
Mrs. ...........,Quincy.......Ill.
Mrs. ...........,Quincy.......Ill.
Copy the above names,
omitting the first. Add your name last. Mail it to five persons who you
wish prosperity to.
The chain was started by an American
Colonel and must be mailed 24 hours after receiving it. This will bring
prosperity within 9 days after mailing it.
Mrs. Sanford won $3,000.
Mrs. Andres won $1,000.
Mrs. Howe who broke the chain lost everything
she possessed. The chain grows a definite power over the expected word,
DO NOT BREAK THE CHAIN
See what happens on the 9th day.
Hoping it brings you luck.
J.E.K.
Quoting Folk-Lore from Adams County, Illinois,
by Harry M. Hyatt (p. 420): "During the latter part of 1933 a 'chain letter'
fad appeared. The following specimen is self explanatory, and is given exactly
as written, but the names of two cities and of two persons have been omitted
to prevent identification." Some reformatting here. I have set the month
in the file name to November (uncertain).
The "Hyatt variation" is a chain letter likely deliberately altered to
produce donations without directly asking for them. It is a Prosperity type
with: (1) a title that suggests a charitable purpose or requirement of the
signers, (2) a controlled list of several names & towns, (or possibly
names and addresses but this has never been collected), and the instructions
to update this list, (3) testimonials about money, (4) likely the omission
of any circumnavigation statement. Entered by DWV, 1999.
le1933-11up_pr_Hyatt_q5d24n6w9
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