What Is a Chain Letter?

The "Good Luck of Flanders" letter is a classic example from the 1930s. It promised prosperity to all who copied it and sent it on to four other people within 24 hours, and bad luck to anyone who "broke the chain." Virtually all chain letters hold out some sort of reward for complying, be it blessings, good luck, money or simply a clear conscience. On the flip side, there are threats of calamity for failing to circulate the requisite number of copies, e.g. "One person did not pass this letter along and died a week later."  Read more...