Description:

Franklin Roosevelt
Washington, DC, December 14, 1939
Franklin D. Roosevelt TLS to Max Aitken in Opening Months of War, "I, too, am...concerned by the submarines...", Ex-Forbes
TLS
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945). Typed Letter Signed, "Franklin D. Roosevelt", as president, 2pp, on pale green bifold White House Stationery, 7" x 8.75", Washington, D.C., December 14, 1939. Two file hole punches along left margin. Horizontal mailing fold. Expected minor creases with rippling along central vertical fold. Light age toning mostly isolated to edges. Minor soiling at an otherwise blank verso. In near fine condition and boldly signed. Ex-Steve Forbes Collection.

President Roosevelt writes to Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook (1879-1964), thanking him for the gift of two decorative prints including a view of Fredericton [probably "New Brunswick Fashionables" after the painting by John Campbell] and a depiction of British General James Wolfe's attack on Quebec in 1759 [possibly "The Death of General Wolfe" after the painting by Benjamin West], remarking that his relative married British General Richard Montgomery who later made a similar attack on Quebec, sympathizing with his concern about [Nazi Germany's] advanced submarines and mines, hoping he would continue to exert pressure to keep prices down, and anticipating that Africa will have greater significance after the War than many believe.

In part: "I am delighted to have the Wolfe print because I have made a special study of the relative strategy between the Wolfe attack on Quebec and the later attack by General Montgomery, who married a cousin of mine from Dutchess County. Since you wrote, I take it that things with you are still pursuing, in the main, the course of the war during its first month. I, too, am a bit concerned by the submarines and the new mines but console myself with the thought that no offensive naval weapon has failed to produce an antidote within a reasonable time. I hope your people will continue to cooperate in keeping prices down -- not only in England but over here as well...Keep the subject of Africa alive even though there is no immediate need for going into details or promises. In the general settlement, Africa will play a larger part than most of our statesmen visualize today."

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 8.75"
  • Medium: TLS

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