Name/Title
Letter: Edward Babcox to Gertrude SeiberlingEntry/Object ID
A 2025.12.b1.f4.1abDescription
[a] Letterhead runs along the top and says "The Babcox Publications" printed in black ink.
The writer begins by explaining that he heard about Gertrude's accident, breaking her arm, and the terrible trip to the hospital. He expresses sympathy for the accident, her injury, and for her summer being cut short. the writer then describes how wonderful Cedar Lodge is during the summer. Writer then explains that he told some friends from Los Angeles on a tour around Stan Hywet. He then gives details about family news and what all his kids (?) are doing. He mentions buying a small place in Chautauqua and attending the Soap Box Derby. He also mentions Helen Jepson.
At the bottom of the letter, the writer handwrote "my secy on vacation. self-typed. Forgive errors please!".
[b] The return address is printed in the left corner and says, "After 5 days, return to The Babcox Publications, Inc., 31 North Summit Street, Akron, Ohio". "Via Air Mail" is stamped in red before the postage stamps. "Air mail" is handwritten in blue ink below the return address.Subject Person/Organization
Babcox, Edward S., Seiberling, Gertrude PenfieldCollection
PERMANENT COLLECTIONCataloged By
Katrina NeffAcquisition
Accession
A 2025.12Source or Donor
UnknownAcquisition Method
FoundLetter Details
Letter Date
Aug 14, 1939Postmark
Date and Time of Postmark
August 14, 1939 at 6 PMPostmark Place
City
AkronState/Province
OhioCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaNotes
There is also a pink ink stamp that says "Via Air Mail"Stamp
One purple stamp with image of George Washington, cost 3 cents and one pre-stamped purple stamp, embossed into the envelope, with George Washington, cost 3 centsSender
Name
Edward BabcoxAddress
The Babcox Publications
Akron, OhioAddressee
Name
Mrs. FA SeiberlingAddress
War Memorial Hospital
Sault St. Marie, MichiganPrimary Language
EnglishTranscription
Transcription
August 14, 1939
Mrs. F A Seiberling
War Memorial Hospital
Sault St. Marie, Michigan.
DEAR LADY:-
Today, for the first time, I heard rumors of your accident. I at once phoned Penfield and he told me some of the harrowing details. To break one’s arm at 6 PM and not to get to a hospital until after midnight and then only after a terrific trip thru [sic] rains, lightning and mud–anda [sic] flat tire to boot—all this and I presume much more, THAT is something for a far younger person to endure. I have phoned my family and Mrs. Babcox is amazed and shocked to hear these details.
We hasten tosend [sic] you our sincere sympathy in this rude interruption in your hhappy [sic] summer at Hessell [sic]. We have man y [sic] times talked of you and Mr Seiberling there with your various families present to make CEDAR LODGE hum with good spirit and enthusiasm. Often in the evening in our yard or on the porch we have talked of YOUR SKIES up there, of the marvellous [sic] northern lights we saw one night there with you, the c loud [sic] effectsx [sic], the water and horizon etc etc---never duplicated any plac e [sic] where we have ever been before or since.
Penfiled [sic] tells me you are now able to write your family down here—so you must be some better, for which we are thankful. I wish there w ere [sic] some thing [sic] we could DO too alleviate your pain and suffering. About ALL we can do is to congratulate yo [sic] on not having a worse time of it.
Mrs. Seiberling------Page 2
Last week we had some friends here from Los Angeles and we took the liberty of taking them over to Stan Hywett [sic] and walking thru [sic] some of the lovely gardens. We noticed the morning glories on neat strings trailing around your little porch up stairs [sic] and we looked in on the English Garden—a veritable paradise I always think. The lookout point was magnificent that aternoon [sic] and we could see for miles to the west. We told them of your place at Hessell [sic] and all about YOU and Mr Seiberling and wished you might have met these folks.
Tom is in Maine completing his final year as senior counsellor at the Pine Island Camp where he has been a camper so many years. Anne is at home with us this summer doing some work on the piano and voice etc; Edward was graduated from Harvard in June and is due here tomorrow from Chicago. He is at work on our staff now. Reid is travelling [sic] a good deal these days. Mrs. B and I had two weeks at Chautauqua. Reidwas [sic] there last week end [sic] and r eported [sic] Helen Jepson sang to some 10,000 people there Staurday [sic] night and had to give SEVEN encores. Tibbett sings there next Saturday evening. We have finally succumbed and bought a small place there an d [sic] hope someday to have a cottage for summers.
We went to the Soap Box Derby yesterday and were drenched along with 75000 others. A marvelous sight—the winner being a little 11 year old boyfrom [sic] White Plains, NY—weighing less than 90#. It is to be here agan [sic] in 1940—Chevrolet having declined the invitation of the NY World’s Fair to hold it there. AKRON macrhes [sic] on, you see. We all hope that you are feeling better these days and we shall await your homecoiming [sic] with much added interest. Our kindest wishes to you and best regards to all the family there.
Sincerely,
Edward Babcox
My secy. [sic] on vacation. Self -typed. Forgive errors, please!Transcriber
Barb Vargo, Roberta SearleLanguage
EnglishCreate Date
January 15, 2026Update Date
August 11, 2026
