Description:

Dwight D. Eisenhower
[Washington, D.C.], July 14, 1947
Dwight D. Eisenhower TLS To Old Colorado Friend Re: National Exchange Club Honorary Membership
TLS
A 1p typed letter signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), then in his role as 16th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and future 34th U.S. President, as "Dwight D Eisenhower" at lower right. July 14, 1947. [Washington, D.C.] On a leaf of watermarked stationery with "War Department / The Chief of Staff / Washington" letterhead. Expected wear including a central horizontal paper fold, with staple holes and a partially rusted paper clip impression in the upper left corner. Else near fine. 7" x 9." Accompanied by its original matching "War Department / The Chief of Staff / Washington, D.C. / Official Business" transmittal envelope. Docketed and postmarked. Minor discoloration from the envelope adhesive, and expected weathering.

Eisenhower wrote this letter to his old companion M. (Moritz) Allen Barth (1890-1963), a Harvard- and Denver University-educated lawyer and National Exchange Club booster. Barth had been married to Josephine "Jo" Hooper Barth (1896-1980), Mamie Doud Eisenhower's beloved schoolmate from Miss Wolcott's Finishing School in Denver, Colorado. The two couples kept in touch and socialized in Colorado, especially in the years before World War II.

Eisenhower regretfully declined Barth's invitation to attend the upcoming National Exchange Club Convention in Cincinnati, citing his hectic schedule of official duties.

He wrote in part:

"It was good to receive your letter, recalling as it did the many happy times we had together in Colorado. Mamie and I appreciate your invitation very much but I am sorry to say that I can't possibly go…

I am flattered, of course, by the tender of honorary membership and by the knowledge that you and your associates feel I would contribute to the success of your meeting. However, my frequent enforced absences from Washington have result in an appallingly heavy schedule for the remainder of the year, and for the past six months I have promised Mamie a brief uninterrupted vacation in the South…"

The National Exchange Club was established in 1911 in Detroit, Michigan by a group of philanthropic industrialists and remains the oldest service organization in the United States. Over 20,000 members belonging to 700 national clubs are committed to the organization's core values: volunteerism, community outreach, youth services, and "Americanism." During the era of this letter, the 1940s, the National Exchange Club especially promoted youth and geriatric services; aviation; commerce and industry; education; agriculture; and citizenship.

Eisenhower served as Chief of Staff from November 1945 until February 1948, concentrating on demobilizing American troops abroad and deescalating tense postwar relations with the Soviet Union. He later served as president between 1953-1961.

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: 7" x 9"
  • Medium: TLS

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