MORE NAME DROPPING …
In an earlier blog about Edgar’s famous ‘quips,’ someone who had heard Edgar in action was just as impressed with his verbal talents as Chief Roaster at Norman’s 60th milestone. I named all the celebrities who honored my request, sending marvelous notes of congratulations to my shocked husband. However, as explained, I got the idea from Norman himself when he presented me with something similar for my ’67 Mixed Pair victory. Most of the responding celebrities were in the political field such as the Mayor of Montreal (fittingly as it was the scene of the crime), the Mayor of Philadelphia, the Governor of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Senators Joe Clark and Hugh Scott, Michigan’s Governor Romney, Senator George Murphy, General Al Gruenther, the widowed Jacqueline Kennedy, Californians Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, New York Major Lindsay .. and a host of others — with many gracious and entertaining ones from the world of bridge.
My own personal favorite (with no close second) is the following which was posted from Toronto (dated August 16, 1967):
My dear Judy:
When I heard that the National Mixed Pairs in Montreal had been won by Kaplan – Kay, I was not surprised as I have long felt that this event would be their true medium but I did somehow doubt their eligibility.
I have just now been informed that the Kay was one “Judy” and after consulting the Bridge Encyclopedia, I learn that she is wife of “Norman.” I therefore hastily write to the said Judy in wild admiration for if you can win with Kaplan, you can win with anyone (I have tried several times with a singular lack of success).
One of the main drawbacks in winning a national event with Edgar Kaplan is that you have to have your picture taken with him and then have it plastered all over the Bulletin and an even worst catastrophe is the possibility of having to defend with him.
My formula for success in mixed pairs events is not to play but I beg to advise that should you be forced to defend with Kaplan next year, I shall be available after each session and until the small hours of the morning in order to console you.
With utter admiration.
(signed with X’s and O’s) E. Rutherford Murray
Can you blame me for loving Eric from afar after penning such a masterpiece?
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Judy- I can understand why you have no close second! 🙂
Dear Peg:
My computer has been down for three days and just returned by my guru. (I can bump Bobby to use his — but it is just not the same — and he, too, hates being dethroned). It’s a sad state of affairs but I feel totally impotent (you’ll pardon the word) as it is like losing touch with the outside world. Telephone? What’s that? Only in case of emergency or while in the car without access to cyberspace.
I actually wrote the above Wednesday night but it did not post at the time and when I went to check it out, the next morning my little computer was down TOTALLY. I was told that AOL automatically updated during the night — and bingo — I was S.O.L. as all I had was a black screen with green bars incessantly moving to the right. Anyway — problem solved.
Yes, Eric is something else! It was (and is) a treat to know him. In fact, I just telephoned him (but his line was busy) as I wanted to remind him of this forty-three year old epistle. If ever an expression was created with someone in mind, he (like Edgar) certainly “had a way with words.”
I have boxes and boxes of memorabilia stashed away, but it seems other responsibilites take priority and although neatly filed and labeled, I rarely get to go through them unless reminded.
Oh – you are a strong soul! When my computer is on the fritz for just a few hours, I get catatonic.
And surely an understatement to say that Eric and Edgar had a way with words! In spades – so to speak!
Sweet story…thank you for showing us the wit of Mr. Murray