Space & Autographs Auction Space & Autographs Auction Jan. 2014

Presidents 792 795 Session I: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 792 796 Estimate Estimate /D 1930 FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT GUBERNATORIAL LETTER TO AUTOGRAPH SEEKER ................ PH $900-1200 Fascinating typed, signed letter (7¼”x9") on New York Executive chamber letterhead. Letter written to H.M. Brehm, well-known stamp collector and designer of 1930 ‘APPLEton’ fancy cancel in response to query about Teddy Roosevelt autographs. Letter signed ‘Franklin D. Roosevelt’ in dark ink. It reads: ‘I wish much that I could find for you an autograph of Theodore Roosevelt when he was Governor but I fear there are none here in Albany except those all affixed to official le tters and documents. As you probably know, the personal correspondence of Governors is taken with them when they leave office. I am returning this extremely interesting cover. You must have a fine collection. Very sincerely yours, (signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt.’ This almost certainly refers to Brehm’s fancy cancel. Stationery has gold embossed seal of New York above ‘State of New York Executive Chamber Albany’ printed across the top. Extremely fine. (University Archives LOA). 793 / 794 /D 1940 FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, ‘LOVE FROM FDR’ ON CHRISTMAS GIFT CARD TO GRACE TULLY ................................ PH $3000-4000 An amazingly personal piece of presidential history, printed Christmas gift card (3"x4") from President Roosevelt to the woman who would become his personal secretary a year later. Presidential ANS on card imprinted ‘A Merry Christmas from The President and Mrs. Roosevelt’, which accompanied his 1940 Christmas gift to his mistress’ assistant. On front FDR wrote ‘Grace – Love from FDR (over), and he has crossed out the printed ‘and Mrs. Roosevelt’. On reverse: ‘If not the right size we can change it – before we have it marked’. With original unaddressed 4"x3" mint envelope with the presidential seal in gilt on the back flap. In 1928, Grace Tully (1900-1984) began working for the Democratic Party and was assigned to Eleanor Roosevelt’s secretarial staff. After Franklin D. Roosevelt’s election as Governor, she moved to Albany and became assistant to FDR’s personal secretary, Marguerite ‘Missy’ Le Hand. When LeHand fell ill in 1941, Grace Tully became President Roosevelt’s personal secretary. Very fine and thought provoking. (University Archives LOA). 1937 FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT UNOFFICIAL FREE FRANK ................................................... PH $2000-3000 RARE unofficial FDR free frank on 5¼”x3¼” cover, signed ‘Franklin D. Roosevelt,’ as President, vertically in left margin. Cover postmarked March 23, 1937, Washington, DC, addressed to Dorothy Starkey in Berlin, WI. Flap missing and light photo album marks on reverse, otherwise very fine. FDR did not have the franking privilege and signed only a small number of souvenir ‘franks’ for collectors. Fine. (University Archives LOA) 795 1940s FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT SIGNATURE .. PH $200-300 Bold and fresh signature on a 6"x9" blank page that looks to have been expertly removed from a book. Very fine condition. 796 /D 1944 FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT, ‘FDR’ ON WHITE HOUSE GIFT CARD TO SECRETARY’S MOTHER ........................................................... PH $1500-2000 Brief, handwritten note on White house card (4"x2½”), wishing his personal secretary’s mother a Happy Birthday. Note Signed simply ‘FDR’ as President in 1944 To Alice Lee [Tully]. Grace Tully became Roosevelt’s personal secretary in 1941. Note reads, ‘For Alice Lee on her 62nd / Birthday! 1944 – Many / very Happy Returns / FDR’ (she was actually 72). Partial clip rust mark at upper left. (University Archives LOA). Saint Louis, Missouri Autographs 07.pmd Autographs & Documents 141 Page 141 11/27/2013, 3:21 PM

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