Money chain letter. Advance copies contain a recipe. Send a quarter to top name of six. Five copies. US, 1935.
Accompanying recipe and personal letter.

1. Mrs. Ralph Jones  824 Vine  Abilene Texas
2. Mothers Jewels Orphanage - York, Nebr.
3. Edith Carper -1651 -Calif. St.  Denver  Colo.
4. Leila Engel -707 Columbia  Hood River  Ore.
5. Gertude Whiteman  1335 Cascade, Hood River  Ore.
6. Anna Mae Hall - 814 - Cascade  Hood River Ore.

              Women's Friendly Exchange
Cast your bread upon the water, and after many days it shall be returned to you   Eccl 11-1

  Dear Friend: -
              This movement was started in hope of bringing prosperity to American housewives in a legitimate and dignified way - no one can possibly lose.
              Enclosed you will find a master recipe for a wonderful new cake.  It is easily worth 25 cents to any women.  It's secret recipe.  You are fortunate to secure it.  I am sure you will be happy to pass it on to your friends.
              Make 5 copies of this letter and mail to 5 of your friends to whom you wish good fortune to come.  By using the multiple 5 in this system, as your name gradually progresses from the bottom of the list to the top you should receive $5,902.25 in cash, if the faith chain is unbroken.  Its a chance of life time no one can afford to miss it.
              In copying the list of names omit the top name thereby moving each name on the list one step nearer to the top.

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Then send to the person whose name you omit a 25 ¢ coin as a thank you payment for this receipt.  Please keep this faith circle unbroken.
                                                                             Thank you.

Two page handwritten letter in pencil (archive has photocopies).  Cover letter and recipe also in pencil in same hand. Envelope postmarked on May 15, 1935 in Hood River, Ore.  Addressed to Mrs. C. Erickson, 1404 S. E. Madison, Portland, Ore. No return address, but enclosed letter has a Hood River return address. Paragraphs (only) preserved here. Some punctuation added here and below. Entered by DWV, 1/11/02. From the James H. Patterson "Unmailable" collection.

me1935-05-15_s25c_q5_+rec!   

Enclosed recipe follows. 


                                Gift of God's Cake

1 cup of Whipping Cream                 2 egg whites
1/2 cup of milk                                   3 cups sifted flour
1 1/2 cup of Powdered sugar             3 tsp. Baking Powder
                                                            1/2 teas. salt and 1 teas. Vanilla

Whip the cream until stiff,  add 1/2 cup of sugar & flour which has been sifted with salt & Baking Powder alternating the flour & milk.  Beat Egg whites & add remaining cup of sugar, beat 5 minutes until it has consistency of Marshmallow whip.  Combine with first mixture, adding Vanilla & bake in layers.
                 It's a delicious cake

Accompanying two page letter follows.


                                                                                                        Hood River Ore
                                                                                                              814 Cascade Ave
                                                                                                                      5 - 15 - 35
Dear Mrs. Erickson:
                                 I have misplaced you last letter.  Please excuse this time - it must not happen again.  Is the chain letter blizzard still on in your vicinity?  It's still going here, I received at least half dozen chain letters, at time it was announced on Radio, & paper, one was defrauding mail - tho the patrons paid very little attention to the warning.  Business men & even Postmaster's wife was sending chains.  But, when I received this chain, I did not wish to pass up.  I felt safe, because you are getting a wonderful recipe for your money thru this chain, & Post Office heads can not find you guilty.  All the ladies are interested in this chain & so far has not been broken.
         I hope Mrs. Erickson you will feel the same as I do about it & be happy to pass it on to your friends.  After you read it carefully you may be more convinced.

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        Please excuse pencil writing and scribbling: I am writing many of these letters the pencil cuts time. I can write much faster.
        Business is very quiet at present, it's bad time for Hood River.  Berries & fruit are not ripe & farmers busy  seeding - it does not bring many people out.
        I feel so poorly most of the time, menopause being responsible for this. I do trust you are feeling well. Now that vacation time is near, the boys are anxious for it.  I supposes Estelle looks forward to it.
        I have more letters to write so must close. With Best  wishes to Carl, Estelle & you ---

       J. C sends special greetings --

                           Sincerely

                        Anna Mae Hall

Five handwritten pages plus mailing envelope - photocopies in archive. Postmarked May 15, 1935 in Hood River, Oregon. Addressed to Mrs. C. Erickson, 1404 S. E. Madison, Portland, Ore. Acquisition information lost.

me1935-05-15_s25c_q5_+rec!   

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