LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

25180

DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN- Photographer ALS, SP

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN- Photographer ALS, SP
<B>Bryon H. Rollins Archive</B></I> consisting of three remarkable and historic items: <BR><B><I>Chicago Daily Tribune</B></I></B></I> with the famous "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" headline, one of the most endearing and avidly collected mementoes of the politics of the mid 20th century. The pro-Republican <I>Chicago Tribune,</B></I> combining excessive optimism with the desire to get a jump on the competition, rushed into print their November 3rd 1948 edition proclaiming Dewey to be the victor in the presidential election. Late returns from California tipped the balance to Truman, and the rest is history. Truman was photographed beaming and holding up a copy of the Tribune, probably the most iconic political photograph of the 20th century. This particular issue contains two complete sections and is evenly and lightly aged. One tiny tear above the masthead could easily be repaired. Overall fine condition. <BR><B>Famous Truman Photograph Signed by the Photographer.</B></I> An uncropped 10" x 8" B&W glossy of the above-mentioned photo signed in the lower margin "<I>To Jon- All the Best -Bryon H. Rollins</B></I>." Signed in his old age, the signature is shaky and apparently he had trouble with the ballpoint pen on the glossy surface as he went over parts of the writing with a second pen. This photo is almost always seen tightly cropped on Truman and the newspaper. This is the original full photo showing another unidentified gentleman standing to Truman's right. Excellent condition with "World Wide Photos" stamp on verso. <BR><B>Byron H. Rollins Manuscript Letter.</B></I> Three pages, plain 7.25" x 10.5" paper, Washington, D.C., no date. This letter offers a fascinating personal insight into the 1948 campaign and how this well-known photo came to be. In part: "<I>...At that time- practically all campaigning was done by train. The press secretary would hand out copies of the lists of stops for the current day. Possibly starting at 6AM & ending at Midnite- and a couple of extra unskedded sic stops should a large crowd appear on the scene. Campaigning by train was no picnic. You can well imagine the stench from 56-60 unbathed bodies after a week of travel- 'Air Wick' was in the vogue...I believe the man with HST is either the Mayor or Governor of Missouri (I don't honestly know)...when we saw Truman holding a paper we rushed to the scene really not knowing what we had until days later as I left my film in St. Louis with an AP reporter...Other than hard work and the satisfaction of doing a job to the best of my ability; there was not time to have any special feelings esthetic or otherwise. The top reward was to see ones picture in the newspaper...You no doubt know Col. McCormack & the Trib were backing Dewey to the hilt. Somehow Truman got a copy of the Trib and decided to rub a little salt into the wound...</B></I>" Fine condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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