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It was, ahem, an offer they couldn’t refuse.
When Diana and Bruce Rauner ’78 offered their collection of The Godfather author Mario Puzo’s papers to Dartmouth Library, the answer was an emphatic yes.
The papers, which will be housed at Rauner Special Collections Library (named by a gift from the Rauners that created a permanent home for Dartmouth’s special collections), include draft manuscripts, correspondence, and other records from Puzo’s long career as a novelist and screenwriter—even the 1965 Olympia typewriter on which he likely wrote The Godfather. […]
“We are thrilled to place the Puzo collection at Dartmouth, where it will be available to the worldwide scholarly community and integrated into the curriculum to create immediate and lasting benefits for students,” says Diana Rauner.
“We love the fact that Puzo’s papers document the creation of Dartmouth’s most famous fictional alumnus, Michael Corleone, and that they will live for centuries to come with the papers of so many prominent, and real, alumni!” says Bruce Rauner, who is the governor of Illinois.
The release doesn’t explain how the Rauners obtained the collection, but Puzo’s papers were auctioned off in 2016. They had an estimated auction value at the time “of at least $400,000,” according to the Wall St. Journal. The New York Daily News reported they were sold for $625,000 to an anonymous bidder.
So, maybe now we know why the governor loves to compare Speaker Madigan to the mafia.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:59 pm
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Those are some highbrow reading tastes. Waiting for Peter Benchley, Jackie Collins, and Danielle Steele.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:04 pm
Last I heard the U of I had a very good special collections library. But heaven forbid that the Rauners do something for higher ed in Illinois.
Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:05 pm
I always thought Dartmouth’s most prominent alumni was John “Bluto” Blutarsky
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:06 pm
Don’t tell Kass. The poorly constructed Fredo analogies will never stop.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:11 pm
It also explains what he did with some of the $100 million he brought home that year and didn’t put into his campaigns.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:12 pm
It’s April 4, not April 1, right?
I don’t hear “Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore East,” so I must not be shrooming…
This is for real?
Can’t say that I saw it coming.
Lot of time and disposable income on your hands to drop $625K for something as obscure as the Mario papers. Rich people problems.
Mario optioned the movie rights to his book outline for $12,500 to Robert Evans to keep his bookies from breaking his legs.
For the record, in the book, Michael didn’t graduate from Dartmouth. After a dustup at Louie’s in the Bronx and an extended trip to Sicily, he took over the family business, instead.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/03/godfather200903
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:17 pm
a least he is helping one school .. in another state of course.
Comment by Spliff Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:17 pm
Bruce: “Hey Diana, I found $625,000 in the couch cushions, you wanna buy Mario Puzo’s papers or another dud suburban House Republican?”
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:19 pm
BTW, the Puzo papers are what Bruce settled on after getting outbid by Shkreli on “Once upon a time in Shaolin.”
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:24 pm
Roman - Don’t tell Kass. The poorly constructed Fredo analogies will never stop.
As if he needed a reason. But for poorly constructed Fredo analogies, his columns would just consist of an endless stream of trite nicknames for people.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:25 pm
Those RaunerS…
Diana and Bruce want state universities closed in Illinois, but are…
===“We love the fact that Puzo’s papers document the creation of Dartmouth’s most famous fictional alumnus, Michael Corleone, and that they will live for centuries to come with the papers of so many prominent, and real, alumni.” says Bruce Rauner, who is the governor of Illinois.===
Let’s break this down, shall we?
“…“We love the fact that Puzo’s papers document the creation of Dartmouth’s most famous fictional alumnus, Michael Corleone”
The RaunerS are stroking the egoes of their other Alums by pointing out how great *they are* sharing something for the Alums because they are so thoughtful and…
“…and that they will live for centuries to come with the papers of so many prominent, and real, alumni.”
Wow. Centuries. Seems very legacy driven for Bruce and Diana, not really about others.
“Look what we did everyone. We did this. For centuries. Look at us. Look. Look at US”
“…says Bruce Rauner, who is the governor of Illinois.”
Always about the prestige. The title bought, inserted for that legacy, that I’m told will be around for centuries.
Meanwhile, last year… Eastern Illinois University has a tough time scraping up cash to mow the lawn… as Bruce refuses, to this day, to fully fund state universities for a whole fiscal year.
“And you know what?”
Starving and closing passively state universities last for centuries too.
That’s the possible legacy of the RaunerS too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:27 pm
Funny, funny stuff, Wordslinger, except I didn’t think I was shrooming. I thought I was in the middle of a full-on acid trip.
And Danielle Steele to lead off comments for Anon.
Comment by Anon35 Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:28 pm
In case anyone wants to kick-in to GovJunk tax dodge https://www.dartmouth.edu/~library/rauner/donating/
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:30 pm
Those papers exceed the cost of buying the silence of a university town Republican.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:31 pm
Haven’t you heard, Don Corleone?
Governors don’t hold the strings.
Governors aren’t in charge.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:32 pm
Does he call Puzo’s masterpiece the “‘odfather”?
Comment by George Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:32 pm
Explains his choice verbage when he threatens people.
Comment by rutro Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:32 pm
Now we know who outbid OW in 2016;) (Joke, sir, joke)
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:36 pm
As I recall, my Alma Mater had at least 15 graduates who received Pulitzer Prizes and has the third largest University library in the country. The archives and the stacks are priceless gems for research and study.
Yet our Governor, once again, is showing his disrespect for the many Higher Education institutions on our state. I guess there are many ways for a person to demonstrate their priorities.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:40 pm
==Roman - Don’t tell Kass. The poorly constructed Fredo analogies will never stop.==
This made me actually lol in class. It does feel as if Kass wakes up each morning, sets himself up at the computer and asks “How can I make my readers roll their eyes the most times per word?”
Comment by FDB Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:42 pm
Academic libraries are very much like ballparks with naming rights. The Rauners are going to have to keep shelling out if they want their name there for the rest of their lives.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:43 pm
I heard it fell off a truck….
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:45 pm
If the RaunerS are such big fans… why is it that Bruce feels the Hyman Roth quote…
“This is the business we chose”
… as his answer to going after everyone and thinking he (Bruce) is righteous.
It’s a quote intertwining, making Rauner himself part of the “corrupt system” he thinks he is removed from.
Of all the quotes, and from Roth, it takes Rauner, the man, part and parcel of the status quo… he is now dictating.
It’s like Rauner hears a good quote… but can’t figure out its meaning.
If anything, Rauner has never been, “as a white knight” on a horse to ride in to save Illinois, the “savior” he sees himself.
Rauner is Carlo. A wanna-be. Inside enough to seem involved, but no where near the business, so, like Carlo, you destroy, no loyalty, that’s who Rauner is.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:45 pm
Okay, then he should have known better than to send a tuna filet to Rahm.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:48 pm
Two things.
1) Why not donate them to U of I. You get goodwill and give a small tourist attraction to your own state.
2) Doubt the gov read any of the papers because he seemed to have learn absolutely zero lessons the from Godfather saga.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:23 pm
OW, Thanks for keep the focus on the damage done to Illinois public colleges & universities. I often think about the people that have lost their jobs and careers, and how they are getting alone (or not). When I hear about research that shows major damage to one’s personal finances drastically shortens life spans. Bruce Rauner understands that. I think he enjoys it.
Comment by James Knell Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:23 pm
- Anon221 -
Some things you don’t joke about.
Me losing the Papers as I did, it stings.
The upside?
“Someone” bid on the “Dad’s Home State” papers… just north of $2.18… maybe $2.21…
The bid came sealed and sent C.O.D. so… it could be almost $3
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:26 pm
I look forward November 6th- when Michael (J.M.) settles all family business- and gives Rauner a plane ticket to Vegas.
Comment by West Sider Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:27 pm
OW, do you think he has any respect for Cannoli by now?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:30 pm
So, if Mike Madigan is Michael Corleone, Bruce Rauner is … Barzini? Hyman Roth? Archbishop Gilday / Don Lucchesi?
Comment by Smitty Irving Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:40 pm
- Smitty Irving -
Rauner is Sonny.
The hothead who takes over the family, acts without thinking and plots without seeing 2 steps in front of his face. Rauner bullies his “buttons”, expects inherit loyalty, respects no one, ally or enemy, and when given good counsel from able consigliere(s), still wants a wartime consigliere, because not understanding how you go about winning, makes winning impossible.
“Just help me win. Please”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:48 pm
I have a stone in my shoe
Comment by proudstatetrooper Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:48 pm
- AA -
Rauner gave Rahm a tuna filet to send a message.
That’s all I have to say about that.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:49 pm
A gift from Illinois’ fictional Governor. Perfect.
Comment by 37B Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 3:10 pm
Oswego Willy -
Sonny? For more reasons than you’ve stated … .
Comment by Smitty Irving Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 3:11 pm
So ironic that Rauner, a Godfather aficionado, doesn’t realize his references to the Mafia and “extortion racket” when attacking Madigan are deeply offensive to many Americans of Italian ancestry.
Comment by DarkHorse Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 3:26 pm
OW- You blew my cover;) Do you take Green Stamps?
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 3:26 pm
- DarkHorse -
I can state from my own knowledge and experience that Italian-Americans are among the most loyal, most law-abiding, patriotic, hard working American citizens in this land. And it would be a shame, - DarkHorse -, if we allowed a few rotten apples to give a bad name to the whole barrel. Because from the time of the great Christopher Columbus up through the time of Enrico Fermi right up until the present day, Italian-Americans have been pioneers in building and defending our great nation. They are the salt of the earth, and they’re one of the backbones of this country.
:)
- Smitty Irving -
For me, my comment stands as it stands.
- Anon221 -
Rich gets half, so I can’t speak for him, so I’ll take your far too generous offer to him, see how it goes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 3:36 pm
I thought Rauner had a kinda sorta blind trust.
Comment by Chris P. Bacon Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 3:46 pm
—even the 1965 Olympia typewriter on which he likely wrote The Godfather. […]—
Didn’t Rauner find one of these typewriters in that state office with no computers?
Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 4:11 pm
Maybe Rauner wants to become president of Dartmouth. The ex-governor of Indiana got a university pres gig.
Comment by very old soil Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 4:14 pm
How nice. I guess.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 4:18 pm
- James Knell -
I’m just one of a much larger chorus that continues to try to keep the state universities in the spotlight of what Gov. Rauner is actually doing (by not doing) and people like Rich here at Capitol Fax and other reporters, they are doing the real hard work of telling the stories and reporting the damage.
You’re very kind. Thank you.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 4:33 pm
Rauner probably figures with his poll numbers he won’t need Puzo’s guidance after the election, so he may as well get some use out of it.
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 4:43 pm
There is a real simple explanation for this donation, 1.4% needs a tax deduction. Plain and simple.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 5:54 pm
–Illini–
As another UIUC alum who spent countless hours in what was then (still is) the greatest public university library in the U.S., this donation seems tone-deaf, even though I understand the character’s fictional connection to Dartmouth.
The guv’s decision to donate to Dartmouth kind of tells us all we need to know about his attitude towards public universities in his native state.
Of course, we already knew what his attitude was, didn’t we?
Comment by dbk Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 1:16 am
The Gov. Is a gift that keeps on giving……
Comment by Enzo the Baker Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 10:46 am