Truman Harry
Harry S. Truman Lot of 6 Excellent Letters, Great Dealer's Lot




HARRY S. TRUMAN, Typed Letters Signed, Archive of six letters, 1945-1964. 6 pp. + 3 envelopes, 7" x 9" to 7.25" x 10.5". Very good.

“I am sorry that I will not be able to comply with your wishes.”


This intriguing collection of letters from President and ex-President Harry S. Truman illustrate his personality, thoughtfulness, commitment to the Democratic Party, and his determination even in the face of opposition by Congressional Democrats.

Highlights and Excerpts


- Harry S. Truman to Guy M. Gillette, June 8, 1945; on “The White House” letterhead. “As you know, I am very regretfully accepting your resignation of May 25, 1945 to take effect on July 15, 1945. I am sorry indeed to see you go, but I agree with you that as long as you have made up your mind to leave it would be perhaps better to have your successor appointed before the work of the Board becomes heavier.... I am grateful to you for the services you have rendered in this preliminary stage, and, of course, shall always look back upon our personal association with much pleasure.” Guy M. Gillette (1879-1973) was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from Iowa from 1933 to 1936, and a U.S. Senator from Iowa from 1936 to 1945 and from 1949 to 1955. After his defeat for reelection in 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him to the Surplus Property Board, but Gillette disliked the job and resigned.


- Harry S. Truman to Mrs. Brutus J. White, February 20, 1946; on “The White House” letterhead. “It gives me the greatest pleasure to have a share in the felicitations and good wishes coming your way on February twenty-fourth when you will reach the one hundredth milestone of your useful and active life. May the memories of the friendships you have formed over such a long period of time make this special occasion one which you will treasure.” Mary E. Green Fife White (1846-1947) died on April 8, 1947, at the age of 101.


- Harry S. Truman to Guy M. Gillette, August 4, 1950; on "The White House" letterhead. “I read your telegram of the third with a great deal of interest and naturally I can appreciate your willingness to have the appointment of Carroll O. Switzer withdrawn in spite of the fact he was made a great Judge in the great State of Iowa. I am sorry that I will not be able to comply with your wishes.” Carroll O. Switzer (1908-1960) was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Iowa in 1948. In 1949, President Truman nominated Switzer as judge of the U.S District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, but Senator Guy Gillette and several bar associations opposed the nomination. Gillette considered the nomination of Switzer a “personal affront” and held up his nomination in the Senate. Truman gave Switzer a recess appointment on October 21, 1949, and Switzer began to serve. Truman re-nominated Switzer in January 1950, but the Senate unanimously reject his appointment in August 1950, and Switzer resigned. Truman then nominated one of two candidates suggested by Gillette, who was confirmed.


- Harry S. Truman to Harry H. Vaughan, November 25, 1957, with Handwritten Endorsement Signed by Vaughan “It is a pleasure to give your young lady friend a quotation. Please tell her that the enclosed five points are the best reasons in the world for her to be a Democrat. I think you had quite a part in the building up of the Reserves, as I have told you before, and I think it is a good thing to let it go at that.” Harry H. Vaughan (1893-1981) met fellow Missourian Harry S. Truman in military training for World War I, and they became close friends. After injury in World War II, Vaughan was assigned to the staff of the Truman Committee and served as military aide to Truman as Vice President and President, holding the position until the end of Truman's presidency in 1953. He was also a Major General in the U.S. Army Reserves.


- Harry S. Truman to Robert L. D. Davidson, June 18, 1964 “I appreciated most highly your letter of the 11th, and the enclosure. The check for $100.00 will go into the Educational Fund of the Library to help some youngster through a few months of study in political science. Thank you very much.” Robert L. D. Davidson (1907-1998) was the President of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, from 1955 to 1973. He conceived the plan to relocate the damaged Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, from London, England, and restore it on the campus of Westminster College.


- Harry S. Truman to Robert L. D. Davidson and Lois B. Davidson, December 31, 1964 “Thank you very much for your Christmas card. You were very kind and thoughtful to remember us and we are deeply appreciative. We wish you a New Year filled with happiness."

Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) was born in Missouri and first won elective office in 1922, winning a judge's seat on the Jackson County Court. After serving several terms, Truman was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1934, and in 1940 gained national attention for his chairmanship of the Senate Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program, which was eventually nicknamed “The Truman Committee.” Truman continued his political rise in 1944, when he was elected Vice-President as Franklin D. Roosevelt's running mate. After only 82 days as Vice President, Truman was thrust into the Presidency when Roosevelt died unexpectedly. His inheritance was a world at war. Germany had surrendered, but Japan refused to give up the war. Truman, in a desperate move to avoid having to invade the Japanese mainland, ordered the deployment of two atomic bombs. They were dropped on August 6 and August 9, 1945. Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945. As President, Truman waged an undeclared war on the Soviet Union, drafting the “Truman Doctrine,” which proclaimed the United States' willingness to provide aid to countries resisting communism. The Marshall Plan sought to strengthen the European economy in the hopes that this program, too, would prevent the spread of Soviet influence. Elected President for a full term in 1948, he also brought United States troops into the Korean War (1950-1953). In addition to his cold war activities, Truman's administration expanded the New Deal and promoted Civil Rights initiatives.

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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