Description:

Harry S. Truman
[Kansas City, MO], ca. May 12, 1959
Harry S. Truman Signed 75th Birthday Program Dedicated to John W. Snyder, Close Friend & Former Treasury Secretary
Signed Program
A 75th birthday party program for former 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), signed and inscribed by him as "To my very good friend / John W. Snyder / They really put the big / pot in the little one and / then took it out! / Harry" on the front cover near the bottom. [Muehlebach Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri.] Ca. May 12, 1959. The 6pp fold-out printed program features front and back cover art by F. Miller. The interior opens to reveal a page of Harry- and Missouri-themed song lyrics at left; 75th birthday mementoes illustrated at center; and the lunch menu listing in part "Individual Birthday Cakes" served with dessert. Expected light surface wear including isolated edge darkening, a minor discolored spot affecting the front cover edge, and a partially rusted paper clip impression touching the top edge of the back cover, else near fine. 9" x 11.5." Accompanied by a former catalog description from RR Auction (Amherst, New Hampshire.)

Truman's dedicatory inscription to Snyder, "They really put the big pot in the little one and then took it out" is a regional saying meaning to do an outstanding job, ostensibly showering praise on the birthday party hosts. Harry S. Truman had turned 75 years old on May 8, 1959, several days prior to his Kansas City birthday party. The "Kansas City Star" reported in its May 12, 1959 issue that about 130 friends, including the Governors of Kansas and Iowa, the former Governor of Oklahoma, and an ex-U.S. Senator, attended Truman's birthday party. Revelers gathered in the Colonial Ballroom of the Muehlebach Hotel to fete Truman with a large birthday cake featuring architectural models of his home, the Truman Library, and the White House (actually pictured towards the top of p. 2 in the birthday program.)

Truman had befriended John W. Snyder during their World War I artillery service. Truman later appointed Snyder Secretary of the Treasury, a position the latter served in from 1946-1953.

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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  • Provenance: RR Auction, Catalog 479, Item 105
  • Dimensions: 9" x 11.5"
  • Medium: Signed Program

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