Description:

Hoover Herbert

H. Hoover in 1939: "with the declaration of war and all the things that flow out of it"

 

1p typed letter signed by former 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) as "Herbert Hoover" at center. Dated September 5, 1939. N.p., but the letter sent to Hoover on the previous day lists his address as Stanford University. On watermarked cream stationery with "Herbert Hoover" embossed in black at top. Expected light paper folds and a residual paper clip impression at upper left. Triple hole punched at left. Else near fine. 7.25" x 10.5". Accompanied by a copy of Hoover's correspondent's letter.

 

Ex-President Herbert Hoover had apparently been planning to attend a Republican party meeting in northern California in September 1939, but the declaration of war in Europe interrupted his plans. Hoover composed this note of apology to Dr. Robert Alway Peers of Colfax, California, his friend and frequent correspondent.

 

On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany had invaded Poland. Great Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later when their ultimatum requesting the German evacuation of Poland was refused. If her allies declared war on Nazi Germany, should (would or could) the United States join the war effort, and in what capacity? Former president Hoover intended to take a leading part in that discussion.

 

In part:

 

"I was indeed sorry to have to shift the meeting at Auburn. With the declaration of war and all the things that flow out of it, I am receiving vociferous demands that I ought to come east and consult with Republican leaders as to our general course…"

 

Hoover wrote from his West Coast headquarters at Stanford University. Hoover had been one of the first undergraduates of Stanford University; he received his Bachelor of Science degree there in 1895. In 1919, after concluding food relief and other charity work in Europe, Hoover donated $50,000 to his alma mater to house an enormous collection of World War I-related archives and artifacts. The Hoover War Collection (renamed the Hoover War Library in 1922 and the Hoover Institute and Library on War, Revolution and Peace in 1946) still exists today. Hoover remained a steadfast donor and fundraiser of the library until his death.

 

It was with great irony, then, that Hoover--who had seen the ravages of World War I firsthand, and assembled a museum-quality collection eloquently testifying against war and its consequences--witnessed the onset of another worldwide war in Europe in 1939. While Hoover viewed Hitler as unbalanced, the former president downplayed the threat posed by Nazi Germany. Hoover was a dedicated isolationist, and opposed American involvement in World War II.

 

The lot also includes Dr. Peers's letter to Hoover, a 1p typed carbon copy dated September 4, 1939. Very good condition overall. Triple hole punched at left, with a paper clip impression at upper left and a minor closed tear along the right edge.

 

Hoover's correspondent, Dr. Robert Alway Peers (1875-1970), was a Canadian émigré who relocated to Colfax, a town in northern California located about halfway in between Sacramento and Carson City, Nevada, in the early twentieth-century. Dr. Peers became a world-renowned specialist in tuberculosis treatment. He also served as the mayor of Colfax between 1922-1945.

 

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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