Heritage to Offer Monumentally Important Letter from Castro to Khrushchev!

DALLAS, TEXAS: The year was 1960, and a small island nation was about to plunge America and Russia into the midst of World War III.

Beginning soon after the end of World War II, the Cold War was a period of general tension and unease, marked by various geopolitical, ideological and economic struggles between the United States, the Soviet Union, and their various partners and allies. It was a time during which the arms race, particularly the development of newer and better nuclear weapons, escalated, and tensions between the superpowers were at their height.

One of the most significant events of the Cold War was the Cuban Missile Crisis, the period of October 18-29, 1962 during which the world teetered on the brink of nuclear annihilation. Brought about by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's decision to build missile bases on the island of Cuba, an island that sits a mere 90 miles from the coast of Florida, the Crisis was narrowly averted when Khrushchev, thinking better of a decision he knew would lead to disaster, ceded to President John F. Kennedy's demand to leave Cuba and withdraw all Soviet military forces and missiles. Nevertheless, these few days remain as one of the most significant events of the 20th Century.

"It's rare that one gets to 'peek behind the scenes' at an event of such global significance as the Cuban Missile Crisis," said Tom Slater, Director of Americana auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, "but that's exactly the opportunity presented by this significant letter. Dated May 27, 1960, this three-page missive is the first communication between Cuban rebel leader Fidel Castro and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. This letter would set the stage for, among other things, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and is a key document in examining and understanding the course of the entire Cold War."

Slater continued, "Written on the new 'Instituto Nacional De Reforma Agraria' stationery - the INRA would play a crucial role in all that is behind the scenes as it relates to this message - it reads in full: 'I thank you in the name of the Revolutionary Government of Cuba for your repeated and prompt statements in favor of our revolution, which has been very highly regarded and appreciated by our people. I am also very grateful for the special message reported to me by Mr. (illegible), as well as the invitation extended to me to visit the Soviet Union, which, when I make it, as soon as possible, will satisfy one of our great desires. For our part, we hope your visit to Cuba will be a great event in our country. The widespread and impassioned, coverage received by our revolution in the Soviet Union, the numerous publications in our favor in magazines and newspapers, together with all the other acts...and so many other reasons, which together with the...and fair commercial treaty...your interest in understanding our requests for supplies in any order, and so many other acts for which I extend my personal thanks to the Soviet people, and which the people of Cuba will show you during your subsequent visit. I wish you the greatest success in your relentless struggle for peace and friendship among all peoples of the world.'""

"The story behind this message puts everything into perspective," Slater said. "After secretly drawing up his Land Reform Law, Castro used it to form the National Institute of Agrarian Reform with broad and ill-defined powers. Through the INRA, Castro methodically seized all American holdings in Cuba. As this continued, Castro engineered a brilliant propaganda campaign aimed at accusing the U.S. of 'conspiring with the counter revolutionaries against the Castro regime.' Castro's ability to whip the masses into frenzy with wispy fallacies about American 'imperialist' action against Cuba was his main asset. He continually found events that he could spin to his advantage and add to the long list of grievances, real or imagined, that Cuba had suffered."

"Between the time of this letter and the Missile Crisis, a mere two-and-a-half years or so, the bond between Russia and Cuba had grown strong," Slater said, "leading to a disaster narrowly averted only by the courage and strength of will of President Kennedy. This letter, however, marks the beginning of that bond, and as such, it is an important historical document whose place in world history cannot be overestimated."

The Three-Page Fidel Castro Autograph Letter written to Nikita Khrushchev bears a pre-auction estimate of $25,000 - $35,000.

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer the Three-Page Fidel Castro Autograph Letter written to Nikita Khrushchev in their upcoming Grand format Autograph Auction, to be held October 12, 2006 at their headquarters in Dallas, TX, with a simulcast in New York City.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit historical.HA.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Tom Slater at TomS@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HA.com to order by email.