Truman Harry

Harry S. Truman Signed Dinner Menu from Event Honoring his Future Vice President, Alben W. Barkley

A menu signed by 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) as "Harry S Truman" at the top of the first inner page. Almost certainly signed while attending a dinner honoring then U.S. Senator from Kentucky and Senate Majority Leader Alben W. Barkley (1877-1956) in the Queen Elizabeth Room of Washington, D.C.'s Raleigh Hotel on July 29, 1946. The menu has thick cream stock covers secured by a cobalt blue tasseled cord at center. The front cover, the right edge of which is trimmed with deckled blue paper, is embossed with a heraldic shield, dragon, and vegetal wreath at center. Isolated stains on the front cover, else near fine. 6.125" x 9".

Printed on the first inner page of the menu is the following: "Dinner / given in honor of / Senator Alben W. Barkley / by the Democratic members of the Senate / Queen Elizabeth Room, Hotel Raleigh / Monday, July 29, 1946". A 5-course menu is listed at right, including the main entrée of "Filet Mignon Bordelaise, Braised Celery, [and] Parisienne Potatoes", preceded by canapes, aperitifs, and borscht, and followed by Baked Alaska, tea cakes, coffee, and cigars.

Alben W. Barkley would serve as Vice President in the Truman administration between 1949-1953. Barkley's spirited speech in support of Truman at the 1948 Democratic National Convention might have clinched Truman's choice of Barkley as running mate. In addition, the Congressman and Senator from Kentucky had considerable political experience and had a strong working relationship with Truman.

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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