General of the Army Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was an American army general and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, he became a five-star general in the Army and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe.  In the 1960 election to choose his successor, Eisenhower endorsed Nixon over Democrat John F. Kennedy.  Nixon narrowly lost to Kennedy. Eisenhower, who was the oldest president in history at that time (then 70), was succeeded by the youngest elected president, as Kennedy was 43.

During his time in office, Eisenhower’s personal appearance was tended to by barber Steve Martini who at this time became friends with Eisenhower and would go on to work in the White House for the next three decades regularly.  Available in this lot are two (2) type-written thank you letters written to Steve Martini from President Eisenhower both dated during Eisenhower presidency; 1956 and 1958.  The letters are signed in black ink and the signatures have a strong presentation.  The letter from 1956 has exceptional content, where Eisenhower thanks Mr. Martini for the after-shave lotion, but then also thanks him sincerely for visiting him when he was ill in the hospital.

Also included is a very nice professional head shot black and white 8x10 photograph of Eisenhower.  The photo depicts Eisenhower in his suit holding his pair of glasses in front of the American Flag.  The photograph has been signed on the white bottom border with an inscription that reads, “To Steve Martini, With Best Wishes and Personal Regard”.  All three items come framed as they had been originally displayed at Mr. Martini’s and each item comes with an individual LOA from Beckett Authentication.  The lot is also accompanied by a letter of provenance from Steve Martini Jr. 

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