Bittersweet Blast from the Past: First Fan Letter to Jerry West
Byron G., March 1954
The earliest piece of fan mail for Happy Hollisters author Jerry West (aka Andrew Svenson) was written by 7-year-old Byron G. of Birmingham, Michigan, and postmarked March 18, 1954. Svenson’s employer, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, did not yet have procedures in place for replying to Happy Hollisters fan mail, and Byron’s letter was answered by a secretary to Jerry West.
When we began our Blast from the Past Project in 2020, Byron was one of the first people we searched for. We found a more recent address for him in Largo, Florida, just a few miles from The Happy Hollisters headquarters and sent a letter to him. The reply we received was bittersweet:
Dear Mr. Svenson,
I am the wife of Byron G. Sadly he passed away four years ago this month. I can’t thank you enough for being so kind and considerate sending your letter. It would have been our 44th wedding anniversary this last weekend and you made my day. Your letter brought tears and a smile to my face. I know Byron would have enjoyed your letter. He always was an avid reader. His mother was a teacher and I wish she could be here to read your letter.
Byron’s sister lives in Michigan and I called her to tell her about the letter. We laughed and she said that made her day as well. She wanted me to tell you she also enjoyed the books.
When Byron’s mom moved from a house to a condo we found childhood games and books she had saved. Byron’s sister took many of the items which remain in her basement in boxes. She told me she was going to look through the boxes to see if the original Happy Hollisters books were in her possession.
It was wonderful to hear the series is still alive and well. I wish you the best and again thank you for your kindness.
Diane G.
Although it’s sad that we missed reconnecting with Byron by just a few years, it’s gratifying to learn from his widow that both he and his sister had enjoyed The Happy Hollisters and remained lifelong readers. We are glad that our letter brought an extra bit of joy to his wife during a difficult time, and we returned Byron’s original letter to her.