(Angel Chevrestt)
Ed Koch (Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)
Ed Koch’s life was lived through letters. The former New York City mayor corresponded with presidents, movie stars and prime ministers. He neatly filed away the notes he received, some in folders marked with the word “good.”
Now the public will get a glimpse into Koch’s collection — the Doyle New York auction house on the Upper East Side will be selling some 200 of the mayor’s missives.
“The letters are a reflection of his various careers and his various relationships. They really chronicle his public and private life,” said Louis Webre, a Doyle senior vice president.
The letters will be auctioned Nov. 25, with the correspondence grouped into lots by type including collections from entertainment figures and presidents.
Doyle will also sell some of Koch’s furniture, decorative pieces and art, with the entire collection expected to sell for between $30,000 and $40,000.
The auction house shared with The Post some of the letters going up for sale.
gbuiso@nypost.com
Like my boy?
President George H.W. Bush writes to Koch in 2000, “nervous” about whether the former mayor will endorse his son for president.
Iowa Caucus I am “Nervous George Bush”
Jan 24, 2000
Dear Ed,
Just back from the Persian Gulf to find your column on the death penalty — wow read with interest. You are a thoughtful guy. Are you “thoughtful” enough to vote for my “boy”?
Warmest best wishes, Ed
Collapse of communism
Ronald Reagan
January 21, 1992
Dear Ed:
Although this note maybe a bit belated, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your article in the New York Post a few weeks ago on the collapse of communism.
I firmly believe our policy of peace through strength played an important role in recent world events. I must admit that I was surprised by the speed with which things have been happening, but I never doubted communism would eventually fail. In fact, it never really worked.
When you are in Los Angeles, drop by and say hello. Nancy joins me in sending our warm best wishes.
Sincerely, Ron
Here’s Mudd in your eye
As a postscript to a thank-you letter, Edward Kennedy mentions Koch’s interview in the April 1982 Playboy, a piece in which the mayor disparaged the small-town ways of upstate New York and the suburbs. The caustic remarks, which Koch claimed were in jest, were blamed for his defeat in the Democratic primary for governor later that year.
Edward M. Kennedy
May 11, 1982
If you didn’t get enough of a ride out of the Playboy piece I will call Roger Mudd for an interview with you.
Favors for Presidents
Jimmy Carter
5-16-84
To Mayor Ed Koch
Rosalynn & I are deeply involved in Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit benevolent organization which builds or renovates housing for low-income families. With their help and without any government funding. Habitat has a commitment from N.Y. City to acquire a 6-story dilapidated building at 742-44 E. 6th St. in Manhattan. Although others similar buildings have been “sold” to benevolent groups at a token price of $1 or so, the N.Y. Housing Commission is asking in excess of $25,000. We would like Habitats’ limited funds to be used for building materials etc. If you could help, I would appreciate it.
Best Wishes, Jimmy
‘Get more sensitive’
Geraldine Ferraro got personal in talking about her history of perceived slights and misunderstandings between the friends.
Geraldine A. Ferraro
May 23, 1991
Dear Ed,
The following is personal and off the record.
I was rather taken aback by our conversation last Friday. I will not discuss my comment about you or the context in which it was made. It’s obviously too late to do that. But I must tell you I was surprised to hear you say that I should have called you to explain it.
During the campaign of 1984 when my world was falling down around me and you took a couple of gratuitous slaps at me, I don’t remember your calling to explain. I honestly don’t recall your trying to reach me a few years ago when you made comments about my political future or lack thereof. More recently when you were on the radio and said you thought I was not qualified in 1984 to be vice president and you never supported my candidacy, I didn’t get a message that you had tried to reach me. And when on Friday during our conversation, you misunderstood and started to attack me when I tried to discuss Al’s voting record, I don’t recall you apologizing.
I am sorry if you were hurt by my comment but if this little incident between us makes you a bit more sensitive to the fact that thoughtless comments can hurt terribly, and if it makes me a bit more cautious of those I call friend, than I have done both of us a favor.
Very truly yours, Geraldine A. Ferraro
How’s the ticker, Cheney?
July 13, 2001
Ed- Thanks for the letter. I do appreciate receiving your columns and movie reviews. The pacemaker-defibrillator is working fine. Wonders of modern technology!
Dick
No luck with ladies
Koch got stood up a lot, at least when it came to wooing a former first lady to join a city agency and a movie star to receive a municipal honor. And Liz Taylor turned down an invitation to Brooklyn Day.
Jacqueline Onassis
January 18, 1983
Dear Mayor Koch,
I am so grateful to have been asked to join the Department of Cultural Affairs. I consider it a great honor and one I wish I could assume.
I shall always regret that I could not take on this responsibility. It would have been an exciting challenge and a wonderful experience. I do hope you find just the right person shortly.
Thank you so much for thinking of me.
With all best wishes, Jackie
Katharine Houghton Hepburn
IV-4-1988
Dear Mayor Koch,
I have just received your charming letter and am pleased to know that you and New York are proud of me.
But let me present my case to you. When you have been around as long as I have, you are approached to receive honors of the most delicious sort. Honors because you are so fascinating, thrilling and brilliant. But the fact of the matter is that you — yourself — have to appear. This is to me is a terrible burden. Appearing and trying to be as fascinating, thrilling and brilliant as I’m supposed to be.
Also it is true that many things are done to commemorate the brilliant work of those dear ones who are no longer with us. So, if you happen to belong to the same period as the ones who have not been able to last as long as yourself, you are constantly in demand. This is apparently my lot.
My effort is to try to enjoy whatever years are left to me. I hope you understand and at the same time I’m delighted to be asked but perhaps even more delighted to refuse.
Thank you, dear Mayor Koch.
Kate Hep
Elizabeth Taylor
5/27/83
Western Union Telegram
To be read May 29 at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Day Festivities.
Your honor and all of your honored guests. I wasn’t born in Brooklyn, but rather in London, where there once was a bridge, too. We all know what happened to London’s bridge. It wound up being transported to America. And so did I. I am very happy to be here in New York and only sorry that I cannot join you in this morning’s festivities. But I can assure you that the mention of the word “Brooklyn” or the sighting of the bridge will always transport me and make me feel at home.
‘Coaxing of a Jew’
The auction will include some 65 letters from John J. Cardinal O’Connor to Koch from 1984 to 1999. The cardinal sent a handwritten note after Koch’s 1989 defeat saying, “I hope you know you don’t have to be mayor for us to be friends.” Here, the cardinal talks about retiring from office, which Koch seems to be arguing against. O’Connor tried to retire in 1995, but the pope wouldn’t accept it; O’Connor died still holding the position in 2000.
John Cardinal O’Connor
July 10, 1992
Cardinal’s Office
Dear “Dr.” Koch,
You are indeed a friend and while I am certain that innumerable clergy and hierarchy of the Catholic Church would find it amusing that the coaxing of a Jew was more effective than their own, still I suspect that only you could fully appreciate the almost full-time job that goes with certain positions that have “New York” attached to them.
I have decided, however, that if you reigned for twelve years as Mayor of New York, I will not do it any longer as the Archbishop of New York. Seriously, Ed, thanks! I really do want to take you up on your suggestions; although “Guys and Dolls” and the opera would be more likely than most of the movies you have to see!
You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Gratefully, John Cardinal O’Connor Archbishop of New York
