Description:

Franklin Roosevelt
New York, NY, September 22, 1927
Franklin Roosevelt TLS to Clemenceau Reminiscing About the "Trying Days" of World War I
TLS
A lengthy typed letter from Franklin D. Roosevelt to former French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau. 1p on personalized stationary, 7.25" x 10.5", New York, NY, September 22, 1927. Signed at conclusion as "Franklin D. Roosevelt", he seeks to introduce his law associate despite a "howling mob of Americans" that usually try to make themselves known to Clemenceau, and recalls his time in France during the "trying days of 1918 and 1919". With expected letter folds and light toning throughout; faint creasing along the bottom edge, not affecting signature. Very good overall. Fantastic contents with direct associations between a principal leader of World War I and man who would assume a similar role in World War II.

Reading in full:

"It is so many years since I have had the privilege of seeing you that I fear that you will have forgotten me. Many people, during these years, have asked me if I could give them letters of introduction to you, but I have constantly refused them all as I know how difficult it must be for you to get away from the howling mob of Americans and others who would like to shake you by the hand.
On this occasion, however, I feel at liberty to make an exception for my law partner, Mr. Basil O'Connor, and his very charming wife are going abroad for the first time and it would be a great favor to me if you could see them, if only for a few minutes.
Mr. O'Connor is one of the most prominent of our young attorneys.
It is good to get news from time to time of your continued good health. I, myself, have not been to France since the trying days of 1918 and 1919, but I hope to go over with my family the summer after next and, if so, I am coming to visit the old friend for whom I have always had such a high regard."

In November 1917, Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929) was named as the leader of France and given the task of reviving the woefully disorganized French war effort against the Germans. He restored French morale with fiery orations, secured substantial allied support through diplomacy, and ultimately engineered a reversal of fortune for France. He then played host to the Versailles Conference, which ended the war. Clemenceau was a friend of another fighter of progressive ideals, Theodore Roosevelt, and corresponded with him throughout the war. Teddy's cousin, then-Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Roosevelt, journeyed to France at the war's end to handle the disposition of naval property. While there, he attended the Versailles Conference, surely meeting Clemenceau.

Daniel Basil O'Connor (1892-1972) was an American lawyer and nonprofit executive. In cooperation with then-President Franklin Roosevelt, he started two foundations for the rehabilitation of polio patients and research on polio prevention and treatment. The two originally met in 1920, when Roosevelt was running for Vice President on the Democratic ticket. Later in 1924, they established their own law firm which existed until FDR's first Presidential inauguration in 1933.

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: 7.25" x 10.5"
  • Medium: TLS

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