A 1p typed letter signed by former 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), as "Harry S Truman" at the center. Written on August 21, 1961 in Independence, Missouri on personal letterhead embossed "Harry S. Truman / Independence, Missouri" at the top. Expected wear including flattened paper folds and a few isolated gentle smudges, else near fine. 7.25" x 10.5." Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope with printed Truman free frank, neatly letter-opened at top.

Ex-President Truman thanked journalist Leonard Lyons for sending him the latest Perry Mason novel, "The Case of the Bigamous Spouse" (August 1961). He wrote: "Thank you very much for your kindness in sending me Erle Stanley Gardner's book 'The Case of the Bigamous Spouse'. I more than appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending it to me…"

Erle Stanley Gardner (1889-1970) introduced his most famous character, Perry Mason, to American audiences in 1933. Over the next 40 years, 4 short stories and 82 novels in the Perry Mason series were published, of which "The Case of the Bigamous Spouse" was novel number 65. The title character was Perry Mason, a fictional trial lawyer who relied on careful investigative practices to exonerate his clients. "The Case of the Bigamous Spouse" is centered around the story of Gwynn Elston, a door-to-door saleswoman who is accused of murdering her best friend's husband when she discovers that he had another family. The novel was originally serialized in "The Saturday Evening Post" between July 15 - August 26, 1961 and was published in book form by William Morrow and Company.

Perry Mason novels were published in conjunction with feature-length movies and radio programs, and from 1957-1966, a dramatic television show of the same name airing on CBS. Truman was an avid Perry Mason fan, and Lyons evidently tasked himself with providing the former president with all the novels. Elsewhere, in a letter dated May 21, 1963, Truman wrote Lyons: "I am sure Mrs. Truman and I will get a lot of pleasure from it as we have all of the others which you have sent us."

Leonard Lyons (1906-1976) was a popular serial columnist who produced 12,000 mostly arts-related newspaper columns over a forty-year period published in the "New York Post" under the heading “The Lyon’s Den." Leonard knew dozens of actors, musicians, writers, and Hollywood personalities through his work as a journalist.

Harry S. Truman served as president between Roosevelt's death in April 1945 to January 1953.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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