Title: 1957 TLS by J. Edgar Hoover on FBI Letterhead – Signed Letter of Appreciation with PSA Authentication

Description:
Typed Letter Signed (TLS) by J. Edgar Hoover, long-serving Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), dated March 22, 1957, on official FBI stationery bearing the letterhead of the Office of the Director and embossed FBI seal. The letter is addressed to Mr. John S. Small of Kearsarge, New Hampshire, and thanks him for sending a copy of the book Celebrated Criminal Cases of America to the FBI Library. Hoover personally signs the letter in black ink at the conclusion as “J. Edgar Hoover.”

The letter is in fine condition, with minor fold lines from mailing and light age toning. The verso bears a PSA authentication sticker (AP45821) confirming the signature’s authenticity.

Transcription:
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.

March 22, 1957

Mr. John S. Small
Kearsarge, New Hampshire

Dear Mr. Small:

Your cordial letter dated March 6, 1957, and its enclosures were received on March 18, and the book, “Celebrated Criminal Cases of America,” arrived Wednesday. It was certainly thoughtful of you to make this volume available to our FBI Library, and it will be a valuable addition to our shelves.

I am particularly grateful for the very kind expressions contained in your letter for it is always a pleasure to know that our organization has earned the confidence of those whom we are engaged in serving.

Sincerely yours,
J. Edgar Hoover

Historical Context:

This letter was composed in 1957, deep in the Cold War era, during a period of heightened fear of communism, espionage, and internal subversion. J. Edgar Hoover, who had served as director of the FBI since its founding in 1935 (and remained until his death in 1972), was arguably one of the most powerful and controversial figures in 20th-century American government.

By the mid-1950s, Hoover had positioned the FBI not only as the nation’s premier law enforcement agency, but also as an aggressive internal intelligence-gathering body. Hoover maintained extensive secret files on politicians, civil rights leaders, celebrities, and suspected communists—activities that would come under scrutiny only after his death.

In 1957, America was still in the grip of McCarthyism's aftermath, and the FBI continued to operate under Hoover's direction with a strong emphasis on rooting out "subversive elements." It was also a time when organized crime, civil rights activism, and Cold War espionage threats were major focal points of Hoover's internal policies.

This letter reflects Hoover’s deeply ingrained practice of public relations and image cultivation. He regularly responded to citizens who showed deference or support for the Bureau, reinforcing the perception of the FBI as a noble, efficient force in the defense of American values. The book mentioned, Celebrated Criminal Cases of America, fits within Hoover’s long-standing interest in both crime-fighting and using celebrated cases to bolster the Bureau’s mythos.

Authentication & Encapsulation:

• Authenticated by PSA/DNA, a premier autograph authentication service.

• Certification Number: AP45821, with the tamper-proof sticker affixed to the reverse of the letter.

• The signature is bold and clean, making this a desirable signed artifact from Hoover’s three-decade tenure atop the FBI.

Closing Appeal:
This letter offers an authentic and personal link to J. Edgar Hoover, a figure who fundamentally shaped modern federal law enforcement and intelligence operations. Signed on official FBI stationery during the Cold War's most intense years, this document is a meaningful collectible for those interested in FBI history, Cold War politics, or American criminal justice. The PSA certification ensures its value and authenticity, making it a compelling addition for autograph collectors and historians alike.