Description:

Hoover Herbert

H. Hoover Sees to Feeding the Poor of "the five little nations in Europe" During WWII

 

1p typed letter signed by former 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) as "Herbert Hoover" at center. Written on October 29, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois. On watermarked cream stationery with "Herbert Hoover" embossed in black at top. Expected light paper folds including a horizontal one intersecting the trailing "r" of Hoover's signed last name, which is bold and dark. A few pin holes at upper left and a pencil inscription at upper right. Else near fine. 7.25" x 10.5". Also comes with five additional items relating to Hoover's chain of correspondence, itemized below.

 

Ex-President Herbert Hoover explained that, after the November 5, 1940 presidential election had taken place (just a week away), he anticipated working hard on the issue of European food relief. Hoover wrote to Dr. Robert Alway Peers of Colfax, California, in part:

 

"Immediately after the election I have to take up the matter of the food supply for the five little nations in Europe. So I will be returning East probably the day after the election…"

 

Hoover's "five little nations in Europe" referred to Norway, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and central Poland, four of the five then under German occupation. Hoover lobbied for exceptions to the German blockade that would allow food to reach an estimated 37,000,000 people.

 

Hoover had a stellar World War I fundraising and relief record. Between 1917-1919, Hoover chaired the Commission for Relief in Belgium and the American Relief Administration, two organizations which mobilized food supplies for displaced war refugees.

 

The lot also includes the original correspondence that prompted Hoover's letter. Very good condition overall, with light expected folds and wrinkles. A few staple holes or paper clip impressions at upper left.

 

Including:

 

1. Air mail envelope postmarked from New York City on October 8, 1940 addressed to Dr. Peers.

 

2. Handwritten Western Union telegram draft from Dr. Peers to Hoover dated October 24, 1940, congratulating the latter's Columbus, Ohio radio address which contained a "tremendous indictment" of FDR's unprecedented third presidential bid.

 

3. 1p typed carbon copy of Dr. Peers's October 25, 1940 letter to Hoover, in which Peers discusses Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie's partisans Hoover, Al Smith, Hiram Johnson, and John Lewis, a "powerful, even though strange combination" that Peers prays can foil FDR.

 

4. 1p typed carbon copy of Dr. Peers's October 26, 1940 letter to Hoover inquiring of his future plans.

 

5. 1p typed carbon copy of Dr. Peers's October 31, 1940 letter to Hoover regarding his prior commitments. In part: "All…regret exceedingly that you are unable to be with us but they realize that taking care of the food supply for suffering innocent victims in Europe is of so much more importance…"

 

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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