[LINDBERGH CASE; WALTER WINCHELL.]  HAROLD GILES HOFFMAN (1896-1954). Original/vintage photo portrait of the 41st Governor of New Jersey (1935-1938); the matte signed and inscribed: "To Walter Winchell / In affectionate regard / Harold G. Hoffman (undated). 8" x 6" (sight); 13" x 9 1/2" (matte). Condition: a few small surface dents, but overall good. TOGETHER WITH A HOFFMAN LETTER TO WINCHELL: A single-page typed letter signed by Harold G. Hoffman on Governor of New Jersey letterhead, dated February 8, 1935. Addressed to Walter Winchell at the Hotel Hildebrecht, Trenton, New Jersey. 10 1/2" x 7 1/4." Condition: Good; fold creases; toning, darker at margins/edges. The letter is dated five days before Bruno Hauptmann received a death sentence for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh, Jr. Winchell clearly cultivated his relationship with Hoffman, who is responding to Winchell's 39th birthday wishes. In the letter, Hoffman jauntily references Walter P. Pitkin, author of the 1932 bestseller Life Begins at Forty, writing: "Walter Pitkin claims 'life begins at forty' but a fellow who is thirty nine and who receives such fine and sincere expressions of friendship as I have received on my birthday can well feel that life is real and sure and worth while even before the two score mark is reached." Following Bruno Hauptmann's trial and conviction in Flemington, New Jersey, Hoffman made a controversial visit to him in his cell, believing Hauptmann did not act alone. He did not succeed in extracting confession of conspirators, but granted him a temporary reprieve. Hoffman's attempt to grant a second clemency were blocked, and the execution took place April 3, 1936. PROVENANCE: THE HAROLD A. LAYER COLLECTION. From The Walter Winchell Files, Butterfield & Butterfield, 1990/91.