Description:

Helen Taft Pair of ALSs Written Just Days Before President Taft’s Death

Helen Herron Taft (1861-1943). A pair of rare handwritten letters by the former First Lady (1909-1913) describing the failing health of her husband, 27th U.S. President William Howard Taft (1857-1930), just days before his death. The earlier letter is dated January 29, 1930, 4pp on Taft’s personal bifold stationery measuring 4.75” x 6”, has expected mailing folds and is in fine condition. The second letter is dated February 12, [1930], 1.25pp on Taft’s personal bifold stationery measuring 5” x 6.5”, has a few scattered pencil notations, a central horizontal fold, light soiling and toning, and is in fine condition. Accompanying these letters is a vintage press photo of the ailing President “arriving at Union Station in Washington with a day after relinquishing the post of Chief Justice of the United States”.

January 29, 1930 ALS: Just days before Taft's resignation as Chief Justice, Helen Taft describes her search for a new house that will accommodate his needs. Her letter, in full, “My dear Mary / We came down here accompanied by the nurse and Dr. Clayton and Mr. Taft is getting along very well. I am looking for a house here as the hotel is not a place for staying long. Your experiences at home are very amusing. I am sorry that we were not at home to join in Lady Isabella's present, but Mabel did not speak to us about it. Helen Manning came down to spend a weekend with us and she left Mr. Taft very much cheered up. He has a motor trip twice a day and it gets very stupid going over to same road forever - just a [sic] hour or a hour and a half! I am busy deciding about a house which we ought to get in next week. The trouble is two bedrooms on the first floor: one for Mr. Taft, and one for the nurse. Will sends love and thinks you are good to write to us. / Affectionately Helen H. Taft”.

It is clear from the first letter that the former First Lady realized that Taft was in for a long climb back to health since she wanted to be out of the hotel. The comments about searching for an appropriate home suggest she thought he was showing enough progress that they might stay in Asheville for a much longer period than first anticipated. Unfortunately, just three days later he must have taken a dramatic turn for the worse so that he not only resigned as Chief Justice, but Mrs. Taft suddenly abandoned any search for a private home and the pair quickly returned to Washington to either seek more medical attention or simply to be in his own home knowing the end was very near.

February 12, [1930] ALS, in full, “My dear Mrs. Hill / Mr. Taft is improving slowly. He does not like buttermilk - I tried it when I was down at Asheville, and he tried it two or three times and did not like it. When he was in bed, as he is now, he has to be fed by spoonfuls and he does not eat anything but broth, and milk toast - and similar things - With kind regards / Sincerely yours Helen H. Taft”. President Taft died three weeks later.

Taft's rapid decline in health began in the first week of 1930 when he entered a hospital on January 7th, after taking ill the day before. One week later, on the 14th, he and Helen Taft left Washington by train for Asheville, NC to get some rest and warmer weather. While in Asheville, they stayed at the Grove Park Inn and Resort, and Taft would take daily walks and motor rides. He continued to lose weight and realized he wasn't likely to regain his strength. On February 3, 1930, while at the Grove Park Inn, he resigned as Chief Justice of the United States. The next day he and Mrs. Taft returned to Washington where reporters and friends were shocked to see his physical condition as he was carried off the train into a waiting car. This began, if not a death watch, then at least mounting concern for his survival. While at home, Taft received periodic visits from President Hoover, a few other dignitaries, family and friends. Although he briefly rallied and appeared to gain some spirit, he took another downward turn on February 26th and died on March 8th.

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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