Elected as the 34th Vice President of the United States as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s running mate during the 1944 presidential election, Harry Truman ascended to the presidency when Roosevelt died a few months into his fourth term as President. Truman oversaw the final days of World War II and was responsible for guiding the United States through the post-war global landscape that was fundamentally changed by both the war and the emergence of Communism. Truman oversaw the Berlin Airlift that aided West Berliners encircled by Communist forces and the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe in the aftermath of the war. Securing the presidency on his own during the 1948 presidential election, Truman sought United Nations approval to intervene in the Korean War, an unpopular move that bypassed Congress and caused political strife at home. Truman did not seek re-election in 1952 and retired to write his memoirs having steered the country through the difficult challenges of a post-war world.

Presented here are a lot of three typed letters and one first day cover signed by the 33rd President of the United States, Harry Truman. The first item in this lot is a 6 ½ x 3 ½ -inch first day cover signed by Harry Truman and his wife, Bess Wallace Truman. The envelope is labeled “FIRST DAY OF ISSUE” on the right side of the envelope. A five-cent stamp labeled “WE APPRECIATE OUR SERVICEMAN” with a picture of Lady Liberty standing tall behind an American flag. The left of the envelope features an illustration of Franklin D. Roosevelt and an American flag in front of the Capital building and is labeled “25th Anniversary UNITED STATES SAVINGS BONDS” with “President Franklin D. Roosevelt Purchased First Bond May 1, 1941 FIRST DAY OF ISSUE” in black lettering. A “Sioux City, IA Oct. 26 1966” postal stamp in black is located on the center of the first day cover. Truman and his wife, Bess Wallace Truman, signed the front of the first day cover in black ink. The signatures are bold and the first day cover is in excellent condition and comes with an LOA from Beckett Authentication (AA09029).

The second item is an 8 x 10 typed letter from President Truman to General Omar Bradley. The letter is on official White House letterhead labeled “THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON” and is dated May 11, 1946 at the top of the letter. Truman opens the letter to General Bradley by warmly stating “My dear General Bradley” and goes on to address Bradley’s concerns overcrowding at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and how Truman plans on transferring patients from St. Elizabeth’s to Veteran’s hospitals. With veterans returning home from World War II and in desperate need of care, Truman took an active interest in alleviating the hospital bed crisis and sought to alleviate Bradley’s requirement to send patients to Veteran’s hospitals instead of St. Elizabeth’s, thus giving the General a reprieve in his efforts to care for the wounded veterans. Truman closed the letter with “Sincerely yours” and signed his name blue ink. The signature is bold and the typed letter features some elements of toning and cornering and comes with an LOA from Beckett Authenticaiton (AA09031).

The third item is an 7 x 8 ¾ -inch typed memorandum for the Secretary of the Treasury from President Truman. The letter was typed on official White House letterhead and is labeled “THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON” on the top of the letter in blue. The letter is dated October 15, 1949, with the President stating that he appreciated the interest shown by the Secretary in Felix Weihs de Weldon, an Austrian-born American sculptor who would later sculp the United States Marine Corps War Memorial located in the Arlington National Cemetery. Truman promises to “…look him up” at the end of the typed letter. Truman signed the letter in black ink. The signature is bold and the letter is in good condition and comes with an LOA from Beckett Authentication (AA09032).

The fourth item is a 7 x 8 ¾ -inch typed letter on Official White House letterhead dated April 26, 1945 in response to a Mr. Basil O’Connor, the Chairman of the American Red Cross regarding Truman’s connection to the organization. Truman, who just assumed the office of the president less than two weeks prior, responded positively to the letter from the Chairman of the American Red Cross.  “WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON” appears on the top of the letter in blue lettering. “April 26, 1945” is typed in blue ink on the right corner of the letter. Truman recognizes O’Connor’s letter from the 17th and confirms his connection to the organization and states that he’s thankful for O’Connor to call it to his attention, with Truman promising to adhere to procedure during their unknown matter. “Mr. Basil O’Connor Chairman American Red Cross Washington, D.C.” is typed on the bottom left corner of the letter. The signature is bold, and the letter is in great condition and comes with an LOA from Beckett Authentication (AA09030).

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