Description:

Franklin D. Roosevelt
Washington, D.C., July 28, 1939
FDR Discusses Mount Rushmore Funding with Sculptor Gutzon Borglum
TLS
A typed letter signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to the sculptor of Mount Rushmore. 2pp, measuring 8" x 10.5", Washington, D.C., dated July 28, 1939. On White House stationery, signed "Franklin D Roosevelt" and addressed to Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore, concerning the monument's creation and funding. With flattened mail folds and minor soiling. With some rust staining and wear to the upper right corners from a removed paper clip. Large, bold signature. Very good.

Reading in full:
"I have received your telegram...regarding the administration of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Project under the provisions of Reorganization Plan No. II, approved June 7, 1939. The Secretary of the Interior has given thorough consideration to the desire of the Commission to continue the present method of operation until the project is completed. However, the legal authorities held that the responsibility for the administration of the project was transferred to the National Park Service of that Department on July 1. The minimum participation by that Service, which is necessary to comply with the law, requires administrative responsibility for the approval of accounts, recommendations concerning personnel matters, approval of the budget for the Commission's operation, and approval of contracts.

Under the proposed procedure, the National Park Service will have a representative make reasonable inspections from time to time to ensure that expenditures are made in accordance with the apportionment of funds and for the purposes for which the monies were appropriated. A periodical examination of the accounts also will be necessary to see that applicable administrative laws are complied with. The approval of the accounts involves a certification that funds are expended and deposited in accordance with general requirements. It will be necessary, therefore, to keep in sufficiently close contact with the project to ensure that no new figures are begun contrary to the provisions of the Appropriation Act, and that all purchases, contracts, appointments, and other items proposed are provided in the budget.

"Purchase orders will be issued at the project as heretofore and certifications in connection with disbursements will be made by a present employee at the Memorial to avoid the clearance of such matters through the Washington Office. This procedure constitutes the least possible administration by the National Park Service required under the existing status of the Commission and allows the Commission the widest latitude in general policy matters. The National Park Service will assume only the minimum of jurisdiction necessary to provide proper inspection and to clear administrative papers in accordance with regulations of the Treasury Department and the General Accounting Office. I believe that the procedure proposed will not handicap your work and will prove to be beneficial."

John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum (1867-1941) was an American sculptor best known for his work on Mount Rushmore. The son of Danish immigrants and Mormon converts, Gutzon Borglum studied painting and sculpture in California and France. Two hallmarks of his sculptural style are patriotic subject matter and monumental scale. Borglum had carved a 6-ton marble head of Lincoln, a bronze equestrian statue of General Philip Sheridan, and many other works before undertaking the massive project at Mount Rushmore.

After selecting Mount Rushmore as its site, Borglum began work on 60-foot-high heads of Presidents George Washington (unveiled in 1930), Thomas Jefferson (1936), Abraham Lincoln (1937) and Theodore Roosevelt (1939), chosen as epic symbols of America. Although the project received some federal funds, these were insufficient to accomplish his vision. Borglum, who developed innovative stone-working methods to accomplish the massive project, died in 1941, leaving his son Lincoln to complete the finishing details.

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!

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

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000