Luck chain letter. The "Media chain letter." 17 attached memos. US, 1990-91.

INSTRUCTIONS

This letter originated in the Netherlands, and has been passed around the world at least 20 times, bringing good luck to everyone who passed it on. The one who breaks the chain will have bad luck. DO NOT KEEP THIS LETTER. Do not send money. Just have a wonderful efficient secretary make four additional copies and send it to five of your friends to whom you wish good luck. You will see that something good happens to you four days from now if the chain is not broken. This is not a joke. You will receive good luck in four days.

[................................................... following pages ...............................................]
[Above chain letter had been lost from the packet before it was mailed to the last recipient. Its non-varying text has been supplied from another packet. The text of the 17 attached memos follows. Salutations, etc, and (if present) names of the five recipients are omitted.]

[Undated, written on a photocopied business card]:  What the Hell. Please note the "Attached Letter" was not included. / Michael I. Otchet (Armstrong World Industries, Inc. , Lancaster, PA) [Written on the card were several potential recipient names or initials.]

May 1, 1991: This is the absolute truth.  While I was reading this, the firm's Administrator came into my office and said, "Today is your lucky day" and gave me  parking space in the building - something I've sought for five years!  I am now a believer.  Here's hoping you get lucky, too. / Patrick R. Tyson (Constangy, Brooks & Smith, Atlanta, GA.)

Feb. 15, 1991: If Tip O'Neill and Pierre Salinger need luck, who am I to toss this dumb letter! Gentlemen, who knows, we may get lucky and go sailing (or motoring) a month earlier than last year!!  Best of luck. / Jerry Scannell (Assistant Secretary of Labor)

Jan. 31, 1991: Exactly what I needed at this time in my life - Good luck and another deadline.  But because of the kind of guy I am, I felt I must share both of them with you.  And any luck coming my way I'll send to all my buddies in Saudi.  Enjoy the luck. / P. S. This is starting to look like who's who. / Bob LoMastro (National Safety Council, Chicago, Ill.)

[Not dated]: With all the turmoil in the world today, receiving extra help is worth sharing.  It's "part." / [Name illegible] (National Safety Council, Chicago, Ill.)

Feb. 1, 1991: I needed this like I needed a hole in my head. Why the hell didn't Burdon do what he usually does  [ illegible] most times - too conventional! Anyway I'm not going to drop the ball. Have fun - luck. / Norm Hogwood (Air New Zealand)

Jan. 16, 1991: I usually throw this kind of stuff in Bin B. But this is the second one I've received in two months, so now's the time to get rid of it.  With the Middle East crisis & Compass poking their nose into Australian domestic scene, we could all use a bit of luck. / Bob the Burdon (Quantas Airways Ltd.)

Jan. 10, 1991: I got it - so you got it! First of all, I cannot think of anyone who needs all the luck they can get than you five. Second, I think all of you fit in well with the prior distinguished recipients of this letter. Third, I think this is a bunch of crap but we all can get a good laugh from it. / Robert Orzack (Alexander & Alexander)

Jan. 7, 1991: If anyone said I would write a letter of this kind - I would have said they were nuts! However after having read the distinguished group of respondents in the past, How could I refuse to send on the good Luck to those who respond within 4 days. You are the lucky ones - best of everything in 1991. / Lawrence L. Denker

Jan. 2, 1991: They say if you pass this along, it promises good luck. I know we can all use a little extra luck now and then. Happy New Year. / Steve Larking (Alexander & Alexander)

Dec. 20, 1990:
re: Do Any of Us Really Have Time For This?
   I never thought I'd be the recipient of a chain letter because I didn't think anybody would ever do anything that cruel to me. Well, somebody did and now I'm doing it to you.
   The good news is that this letter promises good luck if you pass it along within 4 days (and bad luck if you don't).  The bad news for me is that I didn't know about the time limits and set the letter aside without looking at it for 5 days.  Oh well. . . . .
   I'm sending this to each of you because you really need good luck. Gordon, this is guaranteed to prevent skating rink and related types of accidents.  Sal, the NY times will definitely call. Steve, anybody with a new baby needs good luck (and stamina). The same is true of a newlywed-to-be, Chris (especially stamina.) And Joe, I know you need luck also, but I just can't remember why right now.
   It also turns out that this is a well-known chain letter.  Take a look as some of the earliest recipients.  I recently read a newspaper or magazine article about this letter (Tip O'Neill was quoted), but I can't remember where.  If you  remember, please let me know.
   Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each of you . . . . and Good Luck! / Alan Friedlander (Alexander & Alexander)

Dec. 14, 1990: Can you believe this? But with all the names that went before me, why not? And, you've been added to the Association. / John S. Chao (Alexander & Alexander)

Dec. 10, 1990: Subject: SUPERSTITION, I don't really believe in this stuff but I spend too much time walking on the edge to take a chance. / Paul Reddy (Johson & Higgins, Office memorandum)

[Undated]: There are people in this world who have bad luck, good luck, and no luck! With the way my luck has been going (ALL BAD), I don't need any more - time for a change! Good luck to you all . . . and to all a Happy Holiday!  PS - Check out listing of names. / Jim O'Brien

Nov. 30, 1990: X-Mas is 24 days away.  My daughter's 5th birthday is 15 days away and there will be 15 kids at the party. I can't sell my BMW and my wife wants more X-Mas shopping money. I need some luck right now. Life's a bitch and then you die. What the FUCK! / Peter Montanari (A. J. Carnall, Inc., Insurance Counseling)

Nov. 26, 1990: "Happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you're lucky. Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love." -Adela Rogers St. Johns.  I'm not going to tempt the Fates, I like being happy !! / Jay Urrbarger (The Village Bank)

Nov. 19, 1990: I do not believe in these things. On the other hand, I do not wish to receive this letter every four days until I die as the prior letter threatens. Best of luck to all who receive this letter. / Thomas W. Beecher (Cutsumpas, Collins, Hannafin, Garamella, Jaber & Tuozzolo, Attorneys a Law, Danbury, Conn.)

Nov. 14, 1990: If you  read the attached letter it states that bad luck will fall upon you four days after receiving it. My good friend, John Schwerg, sent this to me on November 5th.  Four days later the best stockbroker in the country, Colli Burke, sent me another! Please send this along and spread this good luck and cheer or every 4 days you will receive this letter until you die or the trees are all gone.  P.S. Take a peak at the list of names! / Thomas F. Skelly, Jr. (Corroon & Black, Boston, MA)


Photocopies of typed and word processor originals (& one hand written). Only the attached memos were sent to the last (first above) recipient, yet he sent the memos on with a photocopy of his business card. Received on June 8, 1991 in Lancaster, Pa. Collected  by Alan E. Mays, Middletown, Pa. Archived by DWV.

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