Auction Date:2012 Dec 12 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS as president signed “F. D. R.,” one page, 6.5 x 8.5, White House letterhead, no date [summer or fall 1941]. Letter to Norman Davis, President of the Council on Foreign Relations regarding a job for Barbara Rutherford, the daughter of Roosevelt’s long-standing mistress, Lucy Mercer Rutherford. In full: "Barbara [Rutherford] & her family think that she should rejoin them for the next few months, and I think that is best. It was grand of you to give her this chance for Training and she & I are very grateful. If this war does break out she will be working at it somewhere!” Matted and framed with a portrait of Roosevelt and a previous description to an overall size of 25 x 14. In fine condition, with a central horizontal fold. Accompanied by the original White House transmittal envelope addressed in Roosevelt’s hand, “Hon. Norman Davis. Kindness of Miss Rutherford.” Provenance: Christies, New York, 1995.
Though Roosevelt’s affair with mistress Lucy Mercer Rutherford essentially ended in 1918, he remained close with her and her family throughout his life. On June 26, 1941, her husband, Winthrop Rutherford, visited the White House; although the nature of his visit has not been documented, he may have requested that the president secure a training situation with the Red Cross for his daughter Barbara through his friend Norman Davis. After serving as ambassador-at-large through three presidential administrations, Davis stepped down to become chairman of the organization in 1937. FDR’s words of thanks indicate that the favor was obliged. Beyond that, his connected comment, “If this war does break out she will be working at it somewhere!” belies his feeling of the inevitability of American entry into World War II. Combining the political significance of the comment with the personal connection to his mistress, this is an absolutely extraordinary letter. Oversized.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
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