Description:

Presidential
various, various
3 Typed Letters Signed by Presidents Hoover, Truman, and Taft
Archive

A group of three typed letters signed by three Presidents: Herbert Hoover, William H. Taft, and Harry Truman. All are one sheet, varying sizes, dating from 1912 to 1956. The Truman letter is accompanied by an unsigned pink carbon copy of the letter he is responding to. All with flattened folds, with some minor creasing and light wear in places. Varying degrees of toning and soiling. All boldly signed. Very good overall.

Includes:
1. William Howard Taft TLS and Inscribed. 1p, measuring 5.5" x 9", Washington, D.C., dated May 3, 1912. Typed on The White House Washington stationary and signed by Charles D. Hilles, directed to Rev. Dr. John Wesley Hill. Annotated and signed by Taft at the lower right, giving assurances to the recipient. Reading: "I agree with you Doctor that we ought to use all the material we can get. I'll see Laylin on Monday and have your letter with me. WHT."

Charles Dewey Hilles (1867-1949) was Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury in 1909, but resigned in 1911 to become private secretary to Taft for one year. He then served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1912-16. John Wesley Hill (1863-1936) was the chancellor of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee from 1916 to 1936. Taft was an admirer of his oratory skills and drive to create the National Park System. Clarence D. Laylin served as Assistant Secretary of the Interior.

2. Harry S. Truman TLS. 1p, measuring 8" x 10.5", Washington, D.C., dated October 28, 1937. Typed on U.S. Senate stationery and signed "Harry." Addressed to John W. Snyder, his future Treasury Secretary, Truman thanks him for liking his speech and succeeding "in giving me the swell-head." He also adds a postscript note reading "Best to Mrs. S. & Drucie." Accompanied by a carbon copy of Snyder's letter to Truman.

John W. Snyder's close friendship with Harry S. Truman began in 1928 when Truman was a County Judge. They served together in the U.S. Army Reserves after World War I. Snyder was later Assistant to the Director of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (1940-1944) and served President Truman as his Federal Loan Administrator (1945), Director of the Office of Mobilization and Reconversion (1945-1946), and Secretary of the Treasury (1946-1953). Drucie, Snyder's 11-year-old daughter, and Truman's 13-year-old daughter Margaret were also close friends; they later were bridesmaids at each other's wedding.

2. Herbert Hoover TLS. 1p, 7.25" x 10.5", New York, dated December 26, 1956. Typed on personal letterhead and signed "Herbert Hoover" in blue ink. Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Johnson, the letter thanks the couple for their Christmas greeting.

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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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10.5"
  • Medium: Archive

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June 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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