Description:

Hoover Herbert



Herbert Hoover Scarce ALS to Lewis Strauss Recalling their Wartime Food work in Belgium

 

1p ALS on cream watermarked paper with "Herbert Hoover" letterhead inscribed overall and signed by former 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) as "Herbert Hoover" in turquoise pen. At bottom, recipient Lewis L. Strauss (1896-1974) has annotated in type face: "This letter brought with it the gold (?) Belgian Relief Medal now in my medal case in New York. L.L. Strauss". In near fine condition, with expected light paper folds and isolated corner wrinkle, sheet measuring 7.25" x 10.5."

 

In December 1954, aging ex-President Hoover wrote a wistful letter to longtime friend and colleague Lewis L. Strauss: "My dear Lewis -- This is just to remind you of a holiday season 36 years ago -- when we were young but not gay -- Sincerely yours, Herbert Hoover."

 

Hoover and Strauss had met in 1917 when Strauss volunteered to assist the then acting head of the U.S. Food Administration. Hoover thrived in his role as wartime "food czar" to ensure ample food for all. He implemented a voluntary system of limited public rationing or "Hooverizing", and regulated businesses through price controls and production yield quotas.

 

Strauss was promoted to Hoover's private secretary as the latter's foreign wartime work ramped up. 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. It was sometime during this period, circa winter 1918, that Hoover and Strauss spent a holiday season together. Hoover had sailed for Europe in November 1918, accompanied by Commission for Relief in Belgium core support staff, which had included Strauss.

 

Hoover's recollection is a touch sentimental but also proud. The two men were both dedicated humanitarians. They did not spend their youth in frivolous or "gay" pursuits; rather, they focused on stockpiling and distributing millions of tons of food to war victims. It was for this work that Strauss was later awarded his "Belgian Relief Medal."

 

Strauss probably welcomed Hoover's invitation to recollect earlier times, as 1954 had been a stressful year. In April-May 1954, Commissioner of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Strauss had overseen a month-long hearing which investigated lead nuclear scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance access. In addition to his philanthropy and public service, Strauss was a successful financial adviser.

 



WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

***Please contact our office for information on third party shippers***


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000