Lot 311
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), 32nd President of the U.S. (1933-1945). Autograph Letter Signed as President, "F.D.R.", on light green White House letterhead, one page, 7 x 8¾ Washington, no date [ca. 1940]. To Norman Davis, chairman of the American Red Cross, in full:
"Dear Norman, Barbara and 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! As ever, F.D.R."
Very Fine condition, accompanied by matching White House mailing envelope addressed in Roosevelt’s hand "Hon. Norman Davis, Kindness of Miss Rutherford". Fine condition (small stain on envelope), in a custom quarter-leather portfolio with historical background and an engraved portrait.
Estimate 6,000 - 8,000
F.D.R. HOLOGRAPH LETTERS OF PRESIDENTIAL DATE ARE VERY RARE, EVEN MORE SO ON THE GREEN FULL SIZE WHITE HOUSE LETTERHEAD.
Barbara Rutherford was the daughter of Lucy Rutherford, who is believed to have had a love affair with Franklin Roosevelt beginning in about 1916 when he was assistant Secretary of the Navy. At the time Lucy was Eleanor Roosevelt’s social secretary. After the love affair was discovered and broken off, in the fall of 1918—Eleanor had delivered a "her or me" ultimatum—the Roosevelts kept in touch with the Rutherford family. In this letter F.D.R. apparently alludes to getting young Barbara, through his friend Davis, some sort of "internship" with the Red Cross.
Norman Davis (1878-1944) had been an Ambassador-at-large for Presidents Wilson and Hoover (he was a delegate to the Geneva Disarmament Conference in 1932) before accepting a similar position for Roosevelt. He retired in 1937 and assumed the chairmanship of the American Red Cross, where he served until his death.
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| Realized $14,000 |
