A distinctive piece of true crime correspondence, this Christmas card was sent by notorious Wisconsin murderer Edward Gein on December 21, 1982, from the Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison, Wisconsin. Addressed to Jeffrey Purcellis, the card features a handwritten signature attributed to Gein alongside a personal holiday message expressing gratitude and friendship.
In the accompanying note, Gein references several historical cards received from the White House, including one from former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, A signed card from Richard Nixon, and a thank you card signed by Gerald and Eleanor Ford. The original envelope, bearing Gein’s name, institutional return address and a December 22, 1982 postmark and official stamp accompanies the card, adding further context to this correspondence.
Edward Gein remains one of the most infamous figures in American criminal history, known for crimes committed in Plainfield, Wisconsin, that later influenced numerous works of horror fiction and film. This historical correspondence offers collectors a rare glimpse into Gein’s personal communications during his institutionalization.
COA included
Edward Theodore Gein (1906–1984), often referred to as the “Butcher of Plainfield,” was an American murderer and body snatcher whose crimes shocked the nation and became among the most infamous in American criminal history. Born on August 27, 1906, in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, Gein grew up in a troubled household dominated by his strict and deeply religious mother, Augusta, whose influence played a significant role in his isolated upbringing.
Following his mother’s death in 1945, Gein lived alone on the family farm near Plainfield, Wisconsin. In November 1957, authorities investigating the disappearance of local hardware store owner Bernice Worden discovered her body at Gein’s property, leading investigators to uncover a disturbing collection of human remains and household objects made from body parts taken from graves and deceased individuals.
Gein was convicted of killing two women: Mary Hogan, who disappeared in 1954, and Bernice Worden, murdered in 1957. His activities involving grave robbing and human remains attracted widespread attention, while the details of his case horrified investigators and the public alike.
