Truman Harry

Truman to Acheson, Impression of Views in Deep South "for an Ex-President, who has told them where to get off on Civil Rights. Maybe the world is turning over"; Ex-Forbes

2pp typed letter signed by former 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) as "Harry S. Truman" at the center of the second page. Also inscribed with seven words in Truman's hand near his signature as "Please give my best to Mrs. Acheson". Written in Kansas City, Missouri on October 2, 1953, and addressed to his former Secretary of State, Dean Acheson (1893-1971). On watermarked stationery with "Harry S. Truman / Federal Reserve Bank Building / Kansas City 6, Missouri" letterhead. Expected wear including a few gentle paper folds, else near fine. 7.25" x 10.5". Accompanied by a 5pp carbon copy of Dean Acheson's follow-up letter dated October 8, 1953 in which personal and political matters are discussed. Expected wrinkles. Ex-Forbes Collection.

Truman had left the White House ten months earlier, in January 1953. In this letter to Dean Acheson, his friend and colleague, Truman discusses ongoing efforts to complete the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, and refers to his lifelong association with the Freemasons. Truman also recounts with surprise how he was warmly received in Arkansas and southeastern Missouri, despite his advancing the cause of civil rights during his administration.

Selected Excerpts

On the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum:

"I am having more interest displayed in the proposed Library than I ever had since it started…The Directors have authorized the construction of the first building which will be the Archives part of it and I suppose we will go to work on that in the not too distant future. I am anxious to get the records of the whole Administration lined up there if I can…" (p. 1)

The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum was dedicated in Independence, Missouri in July 1957.

On Freemasonry:

"I arrived in St. Louis and they had a special session of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Missouri…For the first time in my connection with that organization of some forty-four years, they had an overflow crowd present and gave me an ovation like the one in the Waldorf-Astoria, so maybe we are making some converts…" (p. 1)

Truman was initiated into the Freemasons in Belton, Missouri in 1909. He held several leadership positions within the fraternal organization and celebrated his 50th anniversary with the group in 1959.

On civil rights:

"I don't know what the world is coming to when people in Arkansas and southeast Missouri, which is about the same as the deep South, turn out like that for an Ex-President, who has told them where to get off on Civil Rights. Maybe the world is turning over. I think I'll put up a tent and charge admission[!]" (p. 2)

In 1946, Truman had formed the President's Committee on Civil Rights, a task force charged with investigating civil rights and enforcing anti-discrimination policies throughout the nation. Truman's Executive Order 9981 desegregated the U.S. military after 1948.

Dean Acheson served as U.S. Secretary of State during Truman's second term, 1949-1953. Acheson was instrumental in shaping the Truman administration's Cold War-era foreign relations policy, particularly the Truman Doctrine and NATO.

Provenance: Ex-Forbes Collection. Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990), the American owner-publisher of Forbes magazine and a consummate collector, amassed one of the most substantial autograph collections of such breadth and depth that it filled a half-dozen residences on three continents. Many of his manuscripts were sold in a series of multi-million dollar sales by Christie's in the early 2000s. The Forbes name is considered to be the apex of provenance, especially when attached to an item like the above. We are honored to have been chosen by the family to sell at auction the substantial balance of the collection.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!