Autographs
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presentation Book Inscribed & Signed Titled: “ALEXANDER HAMILTON - An Essay on American Union”
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (1882-1945). 32nd President of the United States.
1924-Dated, Presentation Book Inscribed & Signed, “Franklin D Roosevelt...” upon its frontis page leaf, Given as a gift by Roosevelt to his secretary, Very Fine. This book is entitled, “ALEXANDER HAMILTON -- An Essay on American Union,” New York, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1907. It has a red cloth hardcover, contains 502 pages, featuring various reviews the life of Alexander Hamilton and his contributions to the formation of the US Federal government, as seen through the eyes of its British author, Frederick Scott Oliver. Roosevelt gave this book to his secretary, Adele “Dot” Conklin, during the Christmas season of 1924. His personal inscription reads, in full:

“Miss Adele Conklin --- With a Democrat’s hopes that she will realize that this Republican was principally great because he was human enough to have many, many faults. --- (Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt --- Xmas 1924”.

This represents a wonderful historic association between FDR and Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton being the Founding Father who most firmly believed in a strong central Federal government. Accompanying this book is an excellent quality Cabinet Size Photograph of Miss Conklin, the recipient of this beautifully inscribed book. ( Please read more online at: EarlyAmerican.com )
Franklin Roosevelt believed the 1920s to be a repetition of the heroic struggle between Progressivism and Conservatism. Though FDR here offers his guarded admiration for Alexander Hamilton, the future President more closely thought of himself as a modern follower of Thomas Jefferson, who was Hamilton’s political counterpoint.

Like Jefferson, FDR believed rural and small-town life was superior to that of the city. He opposed a privileged position for the wealthy, and supported a government that worked for the best interests of the ordinary citizen. However, to achive this end during his tenure as President, FDR would use the considerable power of the Federal government - a power that Hamilton had worked so hard to achive during his lifetime.

In this way, Franklin Roosevelt modified the Jeffersonian belief in “freedom from government” into what he believed was its modern equivalent: the freedom to use government to solve social problems.